Pakistan: 40 days of prayer & fasting
02 Aug 2010
The Intercessors Network of Pakistan has arranged a 40 Day Prayer and Fasting Campaign from 1st August to 9th September 2010. The cry of Islamabad and Rawalpindi will be ‘Heal the Land’. Hundreds of believers from 70+ churches will be participating daily to pray for the healing of the land. Eleven churches from other cities will also be participating. The ‘National Day of Prayer’ will also be celebrated on 14th August. Prayer needs: Unity among Christians/church leaders and denominations: Abolition/repeal of the blasphemy laws: Christian brothers and sister in prison facing trails falsely accused under this law: Safety and security of Christians living under threat of being persecuted under this law. For sustainability of 24/7 and other prayer watches that are going on and that the Pakistani church will understand the power of corperate prayers and move into a culture of prayer. Pray: for a spiritual awakening of the Church on a national level so that the Gospel can spread across the country. (1Thes.5:10,11,17) More: http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Prayer-Network-Pakistan/251652868252
Pakistan: 3 priorities for new government
16 May 2013Elections were completed last weekend. Although there were demonstrations and terrorist attacks (sadly over 130 lost their lives) those elected are relatively clearly defined and the country can move forward. Pakistan is on the brink of economic collapse and its citizens have suffered horribly from a recent spike in terrorism. Please pray for the new government to successfully employ wise tactics for both these desperate situations. There are tensions with neighboring Afghanistan and India, along with the frustrating and unpopular counter-terror partnership with the United States. Please pray for wisdom for Nawaz Sharif, that he may turn his country in the right direction. In the past Sharif displayed more interest in consolidating his political power than governing effectively. If his third time in office is to be different, he will need to focus on the economy, domestic order and foreign relations.
Pray: also for the openness of new leadership to hear the voices of the religious minorities and allow them to live in peace.( Pr.4:6)
Pakistan: 2013 Election
10 Feb 2013This year an election will be held in Pakistan to elect a new president. Already there is much discussion about how to make the election fair and honest amid charges of potential fraud. Potential candidates are positioning themselves to run for nomination. We are asked to start praying now for the preparations for the elections to result in a free and fair event that the people will see as legitimate. Pray also for the candidates to be persons of honour and righteousness, able to govern effectively and for the region to move further towards freedom and justice. Taliban and al-Qaida affiliated groups with safe heavens in the north-west of Pakistan (see item 1 below) are very active in operating terrorist activities against the present ruling Awami National Party. The upcoming election process may turn into a battle ground and law enforcement authorities may find the situation very difficult to control. See also and For INSIGHTS into how to pray into terrorism rooted in Afghanistan and Pakistan click the 'Info' button.
Pray: for God to rule and reign throughout the region as it attempts to go through a transition towards peace and stability. (Pr.8:15)
Info: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=428&Itemid=93
In what has become disturbingly common practice in Pakistan, registering the usual low interest from the international media, once again Pakistan's Christians have been subjected to a hate-fuelled mob attack, hell-bent in their desire to make life unbearable for what little remains of Christ's followers in the region, reports Dignitatis Humanae Institute. Using the well-worn pretext of an alleged breach of the Pakistan's blasphemy law, an armed mob of local Islamists set upon the Christian neighbourhood within Lahore, reportedly attacking at least 200 Christian homes, a collection of shops and two churches in arson attacks. Whether there have been any casualties is yet to be determined. Such wanton destruction now means a large number of Christian families have been displaced, impoverished, and made homeless for nothing they have done personally, but for the hate held against their faith by certain Muslim groups in Pakistan.
Pray: for God’s mercy and protection for His people as they face such persecution.
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue18984.html
Pakistan/Afghanistan: Peace process
18 May 2010President Karzai will visit the White House next month and then participate in an international peace conference between Afghanistan and Pakistan. About 1,400 Afghans representing the nation's ethnic, regional and political factions are scheduled to gather for a peace jirga next month to reach a national consensus for talking with insurgents to end a 9-year-old war. Jirga is a term for a decision making assembly of male elders used in criminal cases rather than by laws or police. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai agreed on Wednesday to revive the joint grand jirga process to develop a strategy for reintegration and reconciliation. Jirga could be the way forward to restore peace as the two countries redefine their ties and engage with the Taliban to restore peace and end years of suspicion and political feuds. The US visit is extremely important as the US doubt this is the right time for talks with top Taliban leaders who think they are winning the war.
Pray: for God's purposes to regulate the White House meetings and for His intervention in Jirgas to bring internal peace for the area. (Is.32:3)
More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD9F7PPUO0
Pakistan/Afghanistan: Lawlessness in the region
26 Apr 2012The Haqqani Network is credited with introducing suicide bombing to Afghanistan and has been blamed for the series of brazen attacks during the weekend of April 15th in Kabul. The 18-hour battle left 36 insurgents and 11 others dead. Apart from Kabul the eastern capitals of Paktia, Logar and Nangarhar provinces also came under attack as suicide bombers tried to storm a NATO base, an airport and police installations there. JH. is one of the most important Taliban military commanders fighting against the Afghan government and US forces in Afghanistan and is seen by some analysts as the main engine in the Taliban movement. Despite ill health, he is in his 70s, he inspires Haqqani foot soldiers believed to number up to 4,000, as well as other militant groups who revere him. His son, S., is seen as more ruthless, and runs the daily affairs of the network. He is aligned with the current leader of al-Qaeda. We are asked to continue to intercede for PEACE and against CORRUPTION, and may all shady practices and illegal dealings be exposed no matter who is involved.
Pray: for J H and his son to experience miracles, for visions and dreams of truth from Jesus Christ and for all unholy alliances to disintegrate. (Ex.20:3)
In Pakistan energy shortages, inflation and insecurity are concen trating the minds of a generation about to vote for the first time on Saturday. Election-watchers regard young people as critical swing voters. Those aged between 18 and 29 make up 46% of the population, and many of them are eligible to vote for the first time.See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/08/pakistan-elections-imran-khan In the Philippines the husband of a town mayor was killed and a bomb attack injured four people in separate incidents of violence linked to mid-term elections next week. See: http://main.omanobserver.om/node/163407 Final results in Malaysia’s election show the ex-deputy prime minister's three-party Pakatan Rakyat coalition won just 89 of 222 parliament seats, despite capturing the popular vote during Sunday's polls. The ex-deputy prime minister is vowing to stay in his post and lead a campaign challenging the results of a controversial defeat.
Pray: against all in positions of authority across the nations who conspire and plot their own selfish ambitions. (Ps.2:4-5)
More: http://www.voanews.com/content/malaysias-anwar-vows-to-challenge-election-results/1656668.html
Pakistan may delay Taliban operation
26 Nov 2010
The Pakistani government might delay a military offensive in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan by another four to six months (contrary to the expectations of the Pentagon). According to the ‘Daily Express Tribune’ newspaper a government source who requested anonymity gave several reasons for the delay, including differences in perceptions over scheduled withdrawal of NATO troops, the peace plan of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the widening role of India in Afghan affairs. The source said that 'taking the ongoing war in the federally administered tribal areas and other regions to its logical conclusion is the first and foremost priority for the army'. The recent developments in the region, particularly in the wake of US President Barack Obama's visit to India, have forced Islamabad to think twice before opening another war front in North Waziristan. Pakistan has been under intense pressure from the US to launch an offensive in North Waziristan. Pray: for the Lord to peacefully remove so called 'epicentres of terrorism' in Pakistan and neighbouring countries. (Ps.64:1)