Africa: Clergy told re-evangelise church
28 Aug 2010
In an address to 400 Anglican bishops in Entebbe, Uganda Henry Orombi the Archbishop of Uganda said it was time for Africans to ‘rise up and bring fresh life in the ailing global Anglicanism’. He called African bishops to shake off their fears, shame and superficial dependency and re-evangelise the ailing churches of the west. On the same day as his address to the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa the US Episcopalians published a liturgical resource and guide for clergy and same-sex couples. Orombi told those attending the conference, including the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, that the African Church must go to Europe and the US to revive the ‘Mother Church desperate for the Gospel’. Press reports, ‘African church leaders will use the meeting to reiterate their concerns about homosexuality and criticise the Archbishop for failing to punish communities that welcome gays and lesbians into the pews and priesthood.’ Pray: for the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with God's people as they use His Word as their plumb line in all discussions (Rev.19:7) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/25/uganda-archbishop-orombi-ailing-anglican-church
Anglican leaders from across the continent of Africa have made an emotional appeal to Muslim faith leaders to stand with them in opposition to ‘tragic violence that is destroying our communities’. The appeal was issued at the end of a three-day meeting of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa in Burundi where conflict between the two faiths was high on the agenda. Celebrating the initiative by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to make peace by creating ‘Bayt al-'ila’ or a ‘Family home’ from Muslim and Christian leaders to deal with the sectarian strife in Egypt, CAPA also urged governments of affected countries to grant Christians and other religious groups equal rights and freedom to enjoy the benefits of full citizenship. ‘We also call on our respective governments to introduce appropriate measures to guarantee freedom of citizens to live and practice their religions by providing security to their lives and property.’
Pray: for faith leaders and governments to work together to bring these terrible conflicts to a speedy end. (3Jn:8)
More: http://www.cms-uk.org/tabid/151/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3954/Default.aspx
Sometimes areas hit by one extreme soon receive another blow. In Niger five thousand people lost their homes and crops when the River Niger burst its banks last weekend. They are already suffering from severe food shortages caused by recent drought. UN officials have warned 20,000 people are at risk of displacement in the event of further heavy rains. See In China rescuers are pulling bodies out of mudslides which has so far killed more than 1,100 people and that number is increasing daily as more bodies are carried out on stretchers. People have been assigned to disinfect the areas where human corpses, and dead animals are a concern. See: Southern Poland suffered its worst flooding in decades when heavy rains engorged rivers sending torrents of water through Bogatynia in south-west Poland and Görlitz in eastern Germany in May. Pray: for God to look down from heaven and see and hear: and send labourers to minister to physical and spiritual needs so that many are found by the Lord. (Ps.80:19) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/09/floods-mudslides-drought-extreme-weather
Africa America Asia:Drought
15 Jul 2011Christian agencies warn that millions face famine in the Horn of Africa and surrounding areas experiencing their worst drought in sixty years. Methodist minister Paul D. Critchley called on Christians everywhere to respond to the worsening situation in East Africa through prayer, action and giving. Meanwhile in Kabul a Christian outreach project had its working water well go dry because the water table has dropped. Since the floods in both Afghanistan and Pakistan there has been no hint of rain. In fact, Christian workers said, ‘it is comparable to previous seasons associated with ‘five to six year droughts’. Also fourteen US states, stretching across an area from North Carolina to Arizona to Texas, are currently in the midst of devastating droughts where conditions are crushing records set in 1917. Many Americans are seeking emergency disaster aid. See
Pray: for God in His mercy to bring about all that is needed in our ecosystems to sustain life. (Job.38:34-35)
Afghanistan: ‘Spring Fighting Season’
16 Jun 2011
A Christian living in Afghanistan writes, ‘As the spring fighting season is underway please remember that often what we see in the physical reflects the hidden spiritual battles that are raging. In the natural, we see sharp increases in casualties among international forces fighting for peace. We also see significant increases in civilian casualties as insurgents target banks, markets, university libraries, and security checkpoints manned by army and police. Recent suicide attacks have been staged in such a way that multiple sites are attacked simultaneously, and then rescue workers are attacked as they move in to care for the wounded. We can take courage from the knowledge that if our spiritual enemy is fighting this fiercely, it is because he knows his time is short and our prayers are making a difference. We must not lose heart, but encourage one another to redouble our efforts in prayer!’ Pray: for evil to be exposed, for righteous judgments to prevail and for national and international believers to use their most potent weapon – praise and worship! (Ps.8:1-2)
Afghanistan: Zadran people
10 Feb 2013The Zadran people are one of the most well-known ethnic tribes in south eastern Afghanistan with more than half a million living in the provinces known as Greater Paktia (GP) and NW Pakistan. GP is a politically complicated region having a strong presence of militia with shifting allegiances and violent tendencies that make governance difficult in a mountainous and cavernous terrain, providing armed groups ample cover from which to conduct their guerrilla operations. Immediately after the fall of the Taliban GP was chaotic (a small civil war broke out between rival militia commanders for control of the area). Until today, some areas remain a safe haven for militants loyal to the most famous member of the Zadran tribe, Jalaluddin Haqqani, He lives in exile in N Waziristan. It is claimed he introduced suicide bombing to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. See also: For INSIGHTS into how to pray into terrorism rooted in Afghanistan and Pakistan click the 'Info' button.
Pray: for a real dissatisfaction with militancy amongst the Zadran tribe. May men of peace be raised up amongst them. Pray for peace in the region. (Pr.28:16)
Info: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=428&Itemid=93
Afghanistan: US talks with Taliban
26 Jan 2012Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an Islamist scholar who asked his followers to back Jihadist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, is a key mediator in secret talks between the US and the Taliban according to government sources. See http://www.thehindu.com/news/article2755817.ece In 2009, Mr al-Qaradawi issued a fatwa declaring that ‘the Kashmiris were correctly fighting jihad against the Indian army,’ arguing, ‘The jihad was legitimate since mujahideen groups sought to create an Islamic state and it was incumbent on all Muslims to help Kashmiris gain their ‘freedom from Indian aggression.’ Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi is currently the Muslim Brotherhood's leading speaker and is still urging that Islam must dominate the world under a global caliphate governed by sharia. He maintains that Islam ‘will conquer Europe and will conquer America. Some are saying the Afghanistan war is unpopular and President Obama wants to run for re-election next November saying he ‘ended two wars.
Pray: that God will keep His Sovereign Hand over all political dealings in and about Afghanistan. Pray for the emergence, establishment and protection of the Afghan Church in Afghanistan. (see this week’s praise item) (Ps.41:1-2)
Afghanistan: Update
12 Mar 2012A believer writes, ‘Demonstrations and bombs sparked by the burning of Holy Books continue. Please pray no more people will be killed or injured. Pray for the families of those who have been killed. Pray for the recovery of those who have been injured. Pray for understanding on both sides so this kind of incident will not happen again. Many foreigners live, work and serve the people of the land distributing food and clothing, teaching classes, training medical workers and leaders, drilling wells, providing medical care and much more to improve the lives of the people. They live and work in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions and must fight against greed and corruption to help the people who are truly needy. Their lives are difficult, they continue because it is what God has called them to do. Pray for Christian workers and their families to be protected in dangerous situations.
Pray: that they will receive the support and finances they need to continue, and for their lives to be a demonstration of God’s love to the people they serve. (Deut.31:6)