Afghanistan: Taliban power struggle
A serious power struggle has erupted among Afghan Taliban’s top leaders. Two top-ranking members of the Quetta Shura have been battling for control and their feud resulted this week in the assassination of one senior Taliban official by members of an opposing faction. The centre of the storm is the Taliban’s top military leader, the former Guantanamo detainee Mullah Abdul Qayyum who earned a reputation as a merciless fighter on the battlefield, but as a commander is often brutal to underlings and seems incapable of responding quickly to changing conditions on the ground. Recent complaints from senior field commanders have risen to crisis levels. According to both a senior member of the ruling council and a former cabinet minister in the Taliban regime, commanders accused him of showing no respect for his men in the field and ignoring their basic needs.
Pray: for God to use the recent Taliban unrest to bring about His purposes for Afghanistan. May their lines of authority come under His mighty authority. (Is.32:1-3)
More: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/news/14566/
USA: Gun laws / compassion for Newtown
As observers around the world mourned the teachers and children killed in Newtown, many expressed frustration with a US political system that has left guns so easily accessible. The German Foreign Minister signed a condolence book for the victims at Berlin’s US Embassy. In Moscow dozens of Russians spontaneously placed flowers at the US Embassy over the weekend, news of the tragedy was shared across the Internet in China, which witnessed its own school attack on Friday. (see item 4 below) Across Europe heads of state expressed their grief, shock and horror plus mounting frustration with a US political system that has left dangerous weapons legal and accessible to the public. Mexico is directly affected by US gun laws. Other nations that have experienced mass homicides by a lone shooter have reformed legislation and question why the US can’t do the same.
Pray: for all who have been touched by this atrocity to know God’s comfort and sustenance (Ps.55:4-5, 16-17) Pray also for clarity and tightening of US gun laws. (Ps.45:4)
More: More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/19/us-china-attack-media-idUSBRE8BI0E920121219
Indonesia: Persecution at Christmas
Indonesian National Police will increase security in seven prime target areas for terrorist attacks ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations from Dec 23rd through Jan 1st. During this period, police will heighten security at the 38,499 registered churches across Indonesia and will step up security on roads, train stations, bus terminals, tourism sites and malls. Pray against terrorist activities from militants with links to Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid. As much of the world becomes more dangerous for Christians each year, many in the church defy the threat of terrorist violence by worshipping as a community of believers.
Pray: that in this season of great joy and peace that tension and strife may not interfere with Christian celebrations. (Ps.46:9-11)
NIGERIA: Pilgrimage and persecution
15 000+ Nigerian Christians will have participated in the 2012 pilgrimage to Jerusalem this year. So far 11,060 pilgrims have visited Israel and more are expected. The 2012 Christian pilgrimage will end on Dec. 24. The only changes in plans were that visits to Mount Sinai were suspended because of unfavourable security reports. The Israeli authorities reciprocate Nigeria’s love for Israel by always making the pilgrims’ stay in the Holy land worthwhile. See: Meanwhile at home, Nigerian Christians are asking churches across the world to pray for their safety from deadly attacks this Christmas, amid renewed threats. Boko Haram has been attacking Christians from northern Nigeria. Dozens have died in bombing attacks during Christmas services over the past two years. Church leaders this year are, ‘very worried’ believing that the security situation will not protect Nigerian Christians going to church on Christmas Day. Boko Haram has killed over 770 Nigerians in 2012.
Pray: that the pilgrims abroad and the persecuted at home will be spiritually uplifted this Christmas and for the Nigerian government to do more to protect congregations and thwart violent extremism. (Ps.145:18-20)
More: http://www.persecution.org/2012/12/15/nigerian-christians-fear-attack-on-christmas/
An international wave of worship celebrating Jesus the Messiah will make its’ way around the globe on December 12th! Twenty-four hours of worship will begin as the clock strikes 7 PM at the International Date Line.
Global Day of Worship (GDW) is an annual call inviting everyone to lift up the name of Jesus Christ in unity. Last year, on November 11th, more than 200,000 people watched dozens of countries stream their expression on globaldayofworship.com. During those 24 hours, web visitors worshiped with people including a Polish house church, a large Virginian church and Indian children dancing.
“For more than a year the Lord has been laying it on my heart to have Jerusalem as the epicenter for the Global Day of Worship on 12.12.12,” shared Eunice Barruel, founder of GDW. “With oppositions surrounding this land, it is also a place of miracles, deliverance and salvation.”
Eunice continued, “You and I have been given an invitation to worship Jesus the Messiah. He is looking for worshipers willing to build a throne of praise, despite current circumstances. As in the battle with Jehosophat, I believe the victory strategy for this season is to worship and lift up our heads towards heaven, declare his Lordship and see the victory of our Lord!”
Individuals, ministries, churches and schools are invited to join GDW by:
1. Registering for free on www.globaldayofworship.com to tell GDW how you plan to worship on 12.12.12.
2. Streaming your expression of worship for free from 7-8 p.m. your time zone on GDW’s website. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Remember 12.12.12! One LORD. 24 Time Zones. Countless Worshipers.
Saturday, December 1, marks the end of an era as Mexico's President Felipe Calderon steps down and President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto steps in.
While there are always those who stand in disagreement, Calderon leaves making a positive mark in Mexico's history. "I leave having accomplished my duty and responsibility to serve Mexico," he said. "I have worked to leave a stronger, healthier country, with a better justice system and a solid economy."
In his farewell address, the president thanked the country's public officials, military and police for "defending Mexican families." Calderon noted that his government had passed universal health care and kept Mexico's economy stable in the face of the global financial crisis. And in earlier speeches, Calderon has noted that 25 of the country's 37 most wanted drug traffickers were killed or captured during his tenure.
Historically in Mexico, the outgoing president leaves the country for a period of time to allow the incumbent time to settle in. Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government announced Wednesday that the outgoing Mexican president will spend the next year as a global public leaders fellow at the school. "President Calderon is a vivid example of a dynamic and committed public servant, who took on major challenges in Mexico," David T. Ellwood, the school's dean, said in a statement.
In President Calderon's parting words one can see the love and passion he has for his country: "As a citizen, I will continue serving the country passionately until the end of my days, always grateful for the privilege I have been given to be Mexican. Many thanks and see you soon, Mexico."
Pray:
• Heavenly Father, we praise You for Mexico's many victories over the cartels and the narco terrorism plague during President Calderon's term in office. We thank You for protecting President Calderon and his family and ask that You continue to bring him safety and good success in the next season of his life.
• Father God, we thank You for the good relationship that President Calderon experienced not only with the United States of America but also with BridgeBuilders. We are blessed to have had stood alongside a man of God who understands the power of prayer.
• We pray for President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico. Dear Lord. Give him courage to stand strong against organized crime. May He finish the work President Calderon started in ending crime, violence and drug trafficking in Mexico. Surround Mexico's new president and his family with Your protection.
• Give immeasurable wisdom to President Enrique Pena Nieto. May he lead Mexico with integrity, continuing to make her a nation of righteousness and justice.
The aim of the Conference is to bring together the people of God, the holy priesthood, intercessors, worshipers - the five ministries - which led by the Holy Spirit, the release Brado Lion of Judah in the Church and in the areas of influence of society, the word prophetic for every season we pursue the revolutionary revival of the kingdom of God in Brazil and nations.
Our vision is to inspire and enable prophetically seeds of life, from strategic places in this generation and the next, redeeming the land and releasing the skies amid a revival revolutionary watered by worship, prophetic intercession in compassion for the great harvest.
Greetings from Bundaberg city where we first established the vision for the 'House of Prayer.' In February 4th 2005 I met with the Mayor of this city and shared with her the vision to establish a 'Prayer Ministry' which will endeavour to unite the five Melanesian nations (Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, New Caledonia) and two western nations (Australia & New Zealand). In July 14th, 2005, the late Bishop of the South Sea Evangelical Church, Rev. Bishop Festus Suruma of the Solomon Islands with a team of 40 islanders engaged in the 'Ground breaking Ceremony' at the South Sea Islanders Complex on Johnston street in Bundaberg. In July 14th, 2006, Mayor Cr Kay McDuff and the late Bishop of the South Sea Evangelical Church officially launched the 'Bundaberg City House of Prayer.' Prayer meetings were held everyday from Monday to Friday in the morning at 5 am and Tuesday & Friday at 7 pm for the last 6 years by intercessor teams from Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Four nations have been united with hundreds of intercessors connected with this 'Prayer Hub' called, 'Bundaberg City House of Prayer' and many denominations and missions agencies have become partners with this 'House of Prayer Vision.'
In the last six months of 2012, rich mission partnerships have been established and consolidated with churches and intercessors from Fiji and New Zealand. We have also established new connections with some world bodies in the whole area of prayer movements since May this year when we were invited to join the second 'World Prayer Assembly' held in Jakarta attended by some nine thousand delegates from around the world. The launching of the 'SECOND WAVE' on the 17th May at the national stadium in Jakarta which attracted 120,000 Christians has given us further boosts and mandated us to stay focus on the three aspects of this New Wave which are: Prayer, Worship and Mission. We are challenged to encourage the three generations of Children, Youth and Adults to have an equal engagement in the platforms of Prayer, Worship and Missions. We are looking forward to greater mission prayer partnerships with our two island nations, Fiji & New Zealand and the world bodies in this coming year 2013.
THE HOUSE OF PRAYER MINISTRY REFOCUS...
At our 5th Anniversary in July 14th, 2011, I shared a brief revised vision of the BCHOP which God gave Jezriel Graham and me. We were trapped in Egypt for almost three weeks when all our personal belongings were stolen in September 2009. We spent hours in our bedroom praying, crying and reading the scriptures trying to encourage ourselves in our helpless situation. God spoke very powerfully to us both from Zechariah 4 about the Gold Lampstand with 7 lights with its 7 channels. The whole chapter came to live, and we were challenged to develop a 'SEVENFOLD MINISTRY CHANNELS' namely:
-Channel One… House of Prayer Ministry
-Channel Two… Evangelism & Missions
-Channel Three… Awakening the Nations
-Channel Four… Administrations & Business
-Channel Five… Education & Training
-Channel Six… Building God’s Community (Church Plant)
-Channel Seven… God’s Channel
In the last 6 years of our operations, little did we realize that we have already done some work in the areas of Channels 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. We have prayed consistently everyday for the last 6 years. We have led and organized evangelism and missions events locally, regionally and internationally. We have co-sponsored 3 annual “Awakening the Nations” events in three different nations. Our next one will be in Papua New Guinea in November 2013. We have trained 4 young men with Global Evangelism Training in the Kuala Lumpa. We are currently looking at sending several more of our young people in Melanesia to do “Student Mission Mobilizer Internship” with Student Volunteer Mission Training in Thailand next year. These were the things God Himself have accomplished in the last five years of our first phase.
In this second phase of development in the “International House of Prayer – Linking the Islands”, our focus will be on “Administrations & Business” and “Building God’s Community” to stand behind this vision. Of course, Prayer, Worship & Mission will become the life-blood of this vision of the IHOP on the Sunshine Coast.
Under the House of Prayer Channel One, we are also going to encourage and establish 'National Houses of Prayer' in the island nations. Our first one of these national Houses of Prayer will be launched in Honiara, Solomon Islands in July 10th - 14th, 2013. We believe that it is important to call our island nations to be united under the banner of the 'National House of Prayer' which will give us a strong Kingdom Base for the recruitment of the intercessor teams to come and help us man our International Base here in Australia.
Please stay in touch with us in this second phase of the developments of the vision of the HOUSE OF PRAYER in the region of the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit. God will work powerfully in transforming lives, families and nations. The 'New Wave of God's Glory' is breaking all around us. The challenge is for us to ride on the crest of God's wave TOGETHER in 'Prayer, Worship & Mission' giving equal opportunities to our Children, Youth and Adults as prophesied in Joel 2:28. The greatest days of the Church of God is just before us. Come join us for Prayer, Worship and Mission at our Buderim Base. We will advise you when we start.
From the American Center for Law and Justice http://aclj.org/iran/pastor-nadarkhani-what-prayers-did-for-me
Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani recently spoke at an international human rights conference in London about his imprisonment in Iran for his faith.
He thanked everyone who prayed for him and his family as he faced execution for apostasy before he was finally released in September of this year.
The Christian Post reports:
"It is the opportunity for me to share about what the Lord did for me and to thank you because you supported me by your prayers, you supported my family in a very difficult time," Nadarkhani, 35, told those in attendance at the persecution watchdog group Christian Solidarity Worldwide's National Conference in London in early November.
"My prayer is I ask the Lord to bless you for what you did for me as a small member of the Body of Christ. Today my presence here is the will of God and the result of what your prayers did for me," Nadarkhani added…”
Pastor Youcef was released after an immense international push for his freedom. For more than a year, hundreds of thousands of ACLJ members signed petitions demanding his freedom, ACLJ attorneys worked daily with U.S. and international leaders to increase international pressure on Iran for his release, and the ACLJ’s Tweet for Youcef (http://aclj.org/nadarkhani) campaign reached millions daily with updates about his case.
While Pastor Youcef is now free, his Iranian attorney has been imprisoned for more than two months. Iran imprisoned Mohammad Ali Dadkhah for defending people like Pastor Youcef - those persecuted by the Iranian government. Our Tweet for Youcef campaign continues to reach more than 2 million Twitter accounts each day with updates about Pastor Youcef’s attorney.
As ACLJ International Legal Director Tiffany Barrans told the Christian Post, “As the world awakened to the realities of religious persecution in Iran when the masses fought for Pastor Youcef's freedom, we must now shift our attention to defend those who defend the persecuted.”
Thanks for your prayers for Pastor Youcef and please add your voice to the thousands who are calling for Iran to immediately release Pastor Youcef’s attorney here. (http://aclj.org/nadarkhani)
What’s happening in China right now is downright frightening. In the past few days, the following startling developments have come to light:
• China’s air force just staged its largest-ever drill. The exercise involved more than 100 pilots engaging in dog fights and electronic warfare.
• Beijing has banned U.S. regulators from auditing nine Chinese companies, putting all American companies that do business in China at great risk.
• And amid out-of-control corruption scandals, China’s new leadership is attempting to reinvent its global image, but intelligence suggests there is unlikely to be any substantive reform.
• Clearly, there is a growing mistrust between the United States and China as tensions continue to escalate.
The special intelligence panel was led by Gen. Michael Hayden and Gov. Jon Huntsman, a former U.S. ambassador to China. Both agree the level of corruption in China is a deep and endemic problem that could have a major economic impact on America.
Hayden: “I stand back in awe about the Chinese espionage efforts against the United States.”
Huntsman: “They have manipulated their currency. There is no doubt about that.”
During the LIGNET briefing, the panel also addressed:
1. The implications surrounding China's erratic changes in leadership
2. China's "unprecedented" skill at economic espionage
3. How some Americans are being tricked into investing in fraudulent Chinese companies
4. Why the U.S. had better keep a "close eye" on the Chinese military
5. How China plans to "stride the world" and surpass the U.S. as the global economic superpower
6. The impact of China's sudden military expansion and cyber-warfare capabilities
7. The possibility China will move to seize control of the South China Sea and why
8. The impact of China's worldwide currency manipulation
9. The immense investment opportunities in China
10. Why China's access to raw materials is a major issue
What transpires between the U.S. and China could have dire consequences for America and unimaginable economic implications.
Please keep China, its growing Christian movement in the tens of millions, and its relationship with the USA in your prayers. Pray for a strong friendship between these two leading countries and that conflict will be averted.