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A storm roared into America Tuesday delivering paralysing snow and ice from Texas to Maine - the worst in decades. It has shut down Dallas, Oklahoma city, Chicago, Tulsa and more. It covers over 2,000 miles (1/3 of the country) with 60+mph winds. It is expected to last four more days and could be life-threatening. People should not travel unless it was essential. See Meanwhile an intense La Nina weather pattern has spawned cyclone Yase the most powerful cyclones in Australian history. The category five storm will hit 400,000 people in Queensland on Wednesday. The survivors of last month’s floods are now making storm provisions. The Australian Salvation Army is appealing for prayers for those living in the path of the storm. Some are being evacuated, while others are securing their properties ahead of 180mph winds that can tear roofs off houses. Power and communication lines are expected to be affected. Pray: for safety and perseverance in an extremely difficult time for many people who are recovering from massive floods. (1The.5:11&17)
It is believed, ‘When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell Fire are closed and the devils are chained.’ (from Islam’s sacred text of Bukhari) Muhammad first learned about an alternative ‘feast’ and ‘fast’ from Christians in 7th century Arabia. Ramadan releases emotional excitement and religious zeal among Muslims. Fasting is mandatory during daylight and is broken at sunset when a special evening feast is celebrated. Adults appreciate the opportunity to double their rewards from God and seek forgiveness for past sins. Muslims change their physical and emotional selves during 30days of fastingo not only abstain from food, but also refrain from all vice and evils committed consciously or unconsciously. May Ramadan remind us of our own need to pray, fast, and celebrate God’s sovereignty and the gift of his Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.
Pray: for Almighty God to show His grace and mercy for the 1,000,000,000+ Muslims around the world. May many encounter Jesus Christ at this time. (Jn.1:17)
More: http://www.30daysprayer.com/
Ramadan is a holy time for Muslims; their day is spent fasting from sun-up to sun-down. During this time they seek to purify their souls, practice self sacrifice and desire that God be more attentive to their prayers. Since Muslims are more sensitive to hearing from God during Ramadan, opportunities are increased to draw them toward the truth of the Gospel. Open Doors is calling on Christians in the West to pray for Christians living in Islamic dominated countries - praying specifically for God to fill and strengthen them with the ‘Fruit of the Spirit.’ This ‘fruit ’embodied in each believer moulds, shapes and transforms us - expressing the image of His Son - and through this image, shining through a believer, God draws people to salvation. We are asked to boldly stand together for our brothers and sisters
Pray: that many will be blessed, meet Christ and take the first steps into the fullness and truth of God’s kingdom. (Is.45:5-6)
More: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/Ramadan?source=long&link=read_more
For Christians who wanted to speak up for the Persecuted Church but didn’t know what to say Release International is running a sponsored silence. Christians in the UK and Ireland will be staying silent in solidarity with Christians silenced for their faith around the world on Nov 25th. Funds raised by the initiative will support victims of persecution like Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row in Pakistan for blasphemy. Chinese Christian lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who has been repeatedly arrested, imprisoned and tortured by the authorities and is back behind bars; Iranian pastor Behnam Irani, arrested while leading a Bible study, and severely beaten in jail. There is widespread concern over his deteriorating health. 17-year-old Eva Abdullah from Tanzania, who has been jailed for two years after being accused of desecrating the Koran and Eritrean evangelist Mussie Ezaz, who was arrested in 2007 and is in prison in the capital Asmara.
Pray: that these actions will speak louder than words - raising funds and awareness of the Persecuted Church. (Ps.119:156,157)
Muslims worldwide search for ‘The Night of Power’ during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. For fourteen centuries Muslims have stayed up all night listening to lectures and reading the Quran, reflecting on their lives, the objects of their wants and fears and seeking their creator in prayer. In 2012 The Night of Power will fall around August 9 -18th - In Egypt some Christians formed a nationwide covenant to pray and fast during Ramadan and reach out to Muslim neighbours in love. Wearing t-shirts declaring ‘Jesus loves you,’ the students distributed boxes filled with bottled water and bags of figs at busy intersections. Knowing commuters were eager to get home to break their fast, they handed out their ‘gifts’ to the gridlocked motorists. Each bag also held a CD from a joint concert featuring a Christian singer and a Muslim religious chanter.
Pray: during Ramadan for many Muslims to meet the true Creator God and may the Egyptian Christians be empowered and protected as they share the love of Jesus. (Ps.50:1-2)
More: http://www.islamicity.com/articles/articles.asp?ref=IC0112-380
The Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is published annually by Transparency International. Surveys and assessments are used to compile an index of the most corrupt countries, asking questions relating to bribery of public officials, kickbacks in public procurement, embezzlement of public funds and questions that probe the strength and effectiveness of public sector anti-corruption efforts. The results released this week found the worst of the 178 countries was Somalia followed by Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma) and Iraq. Brazil was 69th on the list and India 87th. Overall, Transparency International says of the survey: ‘These results indicate a serious corruption problem globally’. Pray: for hidden corruption to be revealed enabling more finances to be released appropriately. (Is.59:1) More: http://www.modernghana.com/news/302074/1/which-is-worlds-most-corrupt-nation.html
Some excerpts from an American Financial Report - ‘In 2005 we began warning about Britain’s dangerous debt burden. The Financial Times and Daily Mail couldn't refute our research but they weren't ready to accept the enormity of its conclusions.’ And ‘Despite David Cameron’s talk of austerity he’s going to add an estimated £700 billion to the national debt in five years. That’s more than Tony Blair and Gordon Brown added to the national debt in eleven years.’ Looking at UK finances as a whole the Coalition isn’t cutting anything. State spending, national debt and interest payments are all going up. By 2015 UK national debt is estimated to be almost £1.4 trillion.’ Wednesday 24th July’s Guardian reported, ‘the debt to GDP ratio in the Eurozone has reached a new record of 92.2% as high unemployment, tumbling trade flows and a prolonged recession in the single currency bloc take their toll. - The UK's ratio is the seventh largest in the EU, at 88.2%, level-pegging with Spain.’ Source: ukpublicspending.co.uk
Pray: for the UK’s bankers, financiers, commerce and industry leaders humbly to know God’s way forward and wisely and honestly to appraise 2013’s financial challenges. (2Ch.7:14)
The Russian President introduced a new coin described as ‘a united future world currency’ as the World's Reserve Currency. The coin bearing the words ‘unity in diversity’ was minted in Belgium. ‘We are discussing both the use of other national currencies including the rouble as a reserve currency, as well as supranational currencies. We really live at a unique time, and we should use it to build a modern, prosperous and strong Russia, that will be a co-founder of the new world economic order.’ Mededev said. Earlier this year the UN called for the replacement of the US Dollar and the creation of a global reserve bank and a new world currency to protect emerging markets from the ‘confidence game of 'financial speculation’. (Advances in digital technology places the world on the verge of an identification system capable of monitoring virtually every human transaction - an ominous development for serious students of Biblical prophecy.) Pray: for God to build His global Kingdom in all areas of our lives as monetary systems are reviewed. (Rev.13:16-17) More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/13206-russian-president-shows-new-world-currency-at-g-8-summit
The World Bank President reported global food prices hitting all-time dangerous high levels. Globally, high food prices could contribute to political instability and push millions into poverty. Extremely strange weather patterns the world over destroyed many crops and has hit the supply of food available to a higher demand for food. People in the developing nations have been hit the hardest because they have to spend as much as half their income on food. In the USA corn prices increased 60 % increasing cereal and meat prices. High energy prices are also to blame. Food prices are expected to continue to rise as many of the new year's crops are not yet planted, Economists say relief could be months away.
Pray: for Governments to recognise and compassionately act upon the repercussions of this shortage on the population’s poorest. (Pr.11:25)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/finance/2011/February/World-Food-Prices-at-Dangerous-High-Levels/
The head of the World Council of Churches has reached out to a global gathering of Evangelicals, saying Christians of different traditions need to learn from each other to participate together in God's mission. Rev Olav Fykse Tveit said ‘We are called to be one, to be reconciled, so that the world may believe that God reconciles the world to himself in Christ. This historic invitation is a sign that God has called all of us to the ministry of reconciliation and to evangelism.’ The WCC and the Lausanne Movement have often been seen as representing different strands of Christianity - the WCC being seen as focusing more on social action, and the Lausanne movement known for its promotion of evangelism. Pray: that the prayer of Jesus for His people to be united will be fulfilled at this time globally. (Jn.17:21-22)