Many Afghans are very afraid that the Taliban will come back again and where they control areas inside Afghanistan. Pray that this would never happen again. This is an example how brutal they are:
Taliban execute a woman to send Afghans a grim warning of life without the West.
Video of the brutal killing is released on the same day as donors promise 10 billion pounds of aid after troop withdrawal in 2014. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/taliban-execute-woman-to-send-afghans-a-grim-warning-of-life-without-the-west-7923566.htm
An Afghan woman accused of adultery was executed by a purported member of the Taliban as a crowd of about 150 men looked on and cheered in a killing captured in video footage that surfaced at the weekend.
The slaying occurred just an hour’s drive from Kabul and is a grim reminder of the hard-line group’s brutality, under whose rule from 1996 to 2001 women suffered severe privations, including being banned from attending school. It also highlights the expanding presence the Taliban has throughout the country beyond their traditional strongholds in the south and east.
As international troops start to leave in advance of total withdrawal in 2014, concerns are mounting about whether the fledgling Afghan National Security Forces will keep insurgents at bay.
The video, obtained by Reuters, shows a woman in a shawl kneeling in the dirt. A turban-clad man approaches and fires on her at close range with an automatic rifle. Another man is heard saying, “Allah warns us not to get close to adultery because it’s the wrong way. It is the order of Allah that she be executed.”
The woman involved – either by consent or force – with two Taliban commanders was killed in order to settle a dispute between them, according to Parwan’s Provincial Governor Basir Salangi. According to Agence France Presse, the woman was a 22-year-old called Naliba. The fate of the Taliban commanders is not known.
“When I saw this video, I closed my eyes,” Mr. Salangi told Reuters. “The woman was not guilty; the Taliban are guilty.” The footage is thought to have been shot about a week ago. Mr. Salangi added that the Taliban have considerable influence in his province…
“Afghan women and girls were looking to the international community to protect the progress they have made in the last decade, and they have been let down. Some important steps have been taken, notably in a renewed commitment to their constitutional rights and better implementation of laws. But this is still not enough to entrench the fragile gains that have been made so far. There are not enough concrete steps or firm affirmations of how women will play a better role in the transformation phase of their country”.
Please pray for the safeguarding of women and children’s rights and the gains that have been made since the Taliban were overthrown. Pray that they will not be successful in regaining control over the nation to reestablish their tyrannical and oppressive rule.
The Church in Wales unveils major overhaul
The Church in Wales has unveiled radical plans to ensure its future ahead of its centenary in 2020. The Church makes 50 recommendations for change in a published report. Recoromendations.include setting up supersize parishes run by teams of vicars and lay people. These would replace parishes with larger ‘ministry areas’ and mirror the catchment areas of secondary schools. Recations are intended to address the problem of small, unsustainable parishes and overstretched priests having to serve multiple parishes. The report also recommends that churches invest in ministry to young people and come up with ‘creative ideas’ to ensure they stay at the heart of their communities. To implement the vision, churches are being asked to allow their buildings to be available for use by the whole community. Other recommendations include: training lay people to play a greater part in church leadership; developing new forms of worship to reach out to those unfamiliar with church services; encouraging tithing.
Pray: for the Church in Wales to rise up and meet the challenge. (Mt.16:18)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.in.wales.unveils.major.overhaul/30316.htm
Russia: New law could restrict ministries
Russia's parliament has passed a law restricting international support to work of non-government organizations work. The bill forces groups to register as ‘foreign agents’ and file quarterly reports about their activities. Failure to comply can result in large fines and possibly jail. Critics say the law is aimed at making the work of NGOs more difficult, to intimidate them, and tarnish their image. The U.S.-based group Russian Ministries, working with church leaders throughout the former Soviet Union, believes it will impact their ministry and other NGOs in similar work.
Pray: that God will strengthen Christian ministries throughout the region as they face the implementation of this new law. (1Cor.1:27)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/July/New-Law-Could-Restrict-Ministries-in-Russia/
Russia: New law could restrict ministries
Russia's parliament has passed a law restricting international support to work of non-government organizations work. The bill forces groups to register as ‘foreign agents’ and file quarterly reports about their activities. Failure to comply can result in large fines and possibly jail. Critics say the law is aimed at making the work of NGOs more difficult, to intimidate them, and tarnish their image. The U.S.-based group Russian Ministries, working with church leaders throughout the former Soviet Union, believes it will impact their ministry and other NGOs in similar work.
Pray: that God will strengthen Christian ministries throughout the region as they face the implementation of this new law. (1Cor.1:27)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/July/New-Law-Could-Restrict-Ministries-in-Russia/
Ukraine: Homosexual groups enraged at bid to ban homosexual propaganda
Ukraine parliamentarians have re-submitted a bill to outlaw the promotion of homosexuality in public, and the homosexual movement around the world. Their supporters in the mainstream media, have erupted in outrage. The bill’s sponsor said that the growing acceptance of homosexuality in the West was ‘not evolution, but degradation’. It would ban the promotion of homosexuality in television shows and movies, as well as prohibit public ‘Gay Pride’ events. It is intended to preserve ‘the moral, spiritual and physical health of the nation’ according to co-author MP Pavlo Ungurian, speaking at a news conference Monday. ‘We are not against homosexuals, however, we do not share their values,’ he said. ‘Our goal is the preservation of the moral, spiritual and physical health of the nation,’ Ungurian said adding ‘We must stop the propaganda, the positive description and the publicity of this abnormal lifestyle.’
Pray: for the government in Ukraine that it will stay firm on its stand against homosexuality. (1Tim.1:9-10)
Ukraine: Homosexual groups enraged at bid to ban homosexual propaganda
Ukraine parliamentarians have re-submitted a bill to outlaw the promotion of homosexuality in public, and the homosexual movement around the world. Their supporters in the mainstream media, have erupted in outrage. The bill’s sponsor said that the growing acceptance of homosexuality in the West was ‘not evolution, but degradation’. It would ban the promotion of homosexuality in television shows and movies, as well as prohibit public ‘Gay Pride’ events. It is intended to preserve ‘the moral, spiritual and physical health of the nation’ according to co-author MP Pavlo Ungurian, speaking at a news conference Monday. ‘We are not against homosexuals, however, we do not share their values,’ he said. ‘Our goal is the preservation of the moral, spiritual and physical health of the nation,’ Ungurian said adding ‘We must stop the propaganda, the positive description and the publicity of this abnormal lifestyle.’
Pray: for the government in Ukraine that it will stay firm on its stand against homosexuality. (1Tim.1:9-10)
In early June, three Muslim young men on Ramree Island reportedly raped a Rakhine Buddhist woman. After the story was published a mob of angry Rakhines attacked a bus of Muslims in central Rakhine State killing ten. A Karen/ Rakhine Christian worker witnessed these deaths. Riots then broke out across central and Northern Rakhine State killing hundreds, leaving 90,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs). On July 2, three Rohingya women were killed for simply attempting to purchase food at the central market in Sittwe. Leaders of the Rakhine Buddhist Background Believers Movement have been threatened by Rakhine Buddhists for providing aid to their Rohingya Muslim Background friends.
Conflict Background
The Buddhist Rakhine and Muslim Rohingya's latent religious tensions were aggravated by the successive Burmese Dictators. Crusading Buddhist monks as well as Jihadist Muslims have added to the already explosive situation. In 1982 the Dictators officially denied citizenship to the Rohingya this resulted in another round of Muslim/Buddhist riots and the expulsion into Bangladesh of hundreds of thousands of refugees. Bin Laden claimed to have warriors from Afghanistan to Arakan. Today the 2 million Rohingya are some of the most persecuted people in the world. Nearly half have fled to Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Europe and Bangladesh. In Rakhine State many Humanitarian Aid groups like the UNHCR and Doctors without Borders have provided aid primarily to the Rohingya. This perceived imbalance in aid has caused more resentment and tensions. If Rohingya leave Rakhine State they cannot return without significant bribes.
They are also denied movement inside Rakhine State. The Bangladesh government repeated pushes Rohingya back into Burma every time they try to seek refuge. Every time disaster or emergencies have happened in Myanmar we have seen a new surge of multiplication of disciples and churches. Jesus is an expert at turning crucifixion situations into resurrection situations.
1. Pray that the 250 Rakhine House Churches double in the next year. Pray that the Rohingya would find the Promised Land in Jesus, Isa Al Masih, and pray for the protection of hundreds of Rohingya believers currently meeting in several networks.
2. Pray that the 250 Rakhine Churches scattered across Rakhine State would have enough food, shelter, and security. Several Rakhine believers have been killed in the recent clashes between the Rohingya/Rakhine fighting. Pray for the Rohingya as they are one of the most oppressed peoples in the world.
3. Pray for a sister who is the coordinator of 200 church leaders and for a brother who leads hundreds of his Rohingya networks to study the gospel of Luke in their homes
4. Pray that God would provide the children in Rakhine State with an abundant supply of food.
5. Pray for a brother who leads hundreds of his Rohingya networks to study the gospel of Luke in their homes.
6. Pray for unity in the Body of Christ in Rakhine. They have been extremely fragmented at times due to competing for outside resources.
To help provide Emergency Aid to the Current Relief Situation in Rakhine State through the hands of the Rakhine Buddist Background Believers’ Movement and the Rohingya Muslim Background Believer’s network, please donate through www.lastfrontiersinternational.com
Dear friends,
About a week ago I wrote you to let you know about the special prayer guide, 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World. This guide will help you (and others you know or lead) to pray with informed hope for Muslim people—in your community or anywhere in the world.
As you know, Muslims observe a 30-day period of fasting and prayer every year that they call "Ramadan." It's an ideal time to pray for God's purposes of love to be fulfilled in their lives and families. This prayer guide is timed to give you ideas and information to pray during these same 30 days (July 20 - August 18) with Christ-like sensitivity and relevance.
I'm writing to remind you to order. We've had to re-order from the supplier several times because of the significant response. We were told yesterday that only a few hundred of the children's version are left. So order soon! The starting date (July 20) is just a few weeks from now.
If you haven't already done so, check out a few sample pages of this beautiful, full-color resource by going to our website (www.waymakers.org/30-days.html).
WayMakers has made it easy to order from our website or by phone. The cost begins at $3 for a single copy ($3.50 for children’s) with discounts as great as 60% when ordered in quantity. Check out the details online at www.waymakers.org/30-days.html or call us at 512.419.7729.
During a regional session at the recently concluded World Prayer Assembly, which held at Jakarta, Indonesia, from the 14th to the 18th of May, 2012, at which Pastor E.A. Adeboye was one of the International speakers, the over 25 delegates from Nigeria, after an exhaustive discussion about the situation in our country, resolved to call the Church in Nigeria to a one year transformational prayer campaign commencing from 1st August, 2012 to 1 July 2013. This urgent call to prayer is necessitated by the myriad and intractable problems facing our nation, some of which are underlisted below:
1. The high rate of insecurity, especially the bombing of the Boko Haram sect and the attempt to destabilize the nation.
2. The looming prediction by the CIA and other western organisations that Nigeria would be a failed state by 2015.
3. The feverish pitch and inflammatory comments which the 2015 national elections is already generating and what it portends for our democratic system.
4. The ever-increasing rate of unemployment in the country without any solutions in sight.
5. The cancerous problem of corruption in our society, the hypocritical and cosmetic treatment which successive leadership give as panacea to the problem.
6. The fallen standards of education and mass failure during WAEC and NECO exams by our students.
7. The total neglect and marginalization of the less privileged, the poor and those with physical challenges in our society.
8. The absence of any assuring engagement and rehabilitating plans for our youths and children.
9. Inter-ethnic and inter-religious religious conflicts in Jos, Ebonyi and Adamawa states.
10. Political thuggery, arson and assassination of opponents.
11. Erratic power supply despite the colossal amount spent on the Independent Power Projects.
12. The fuel subsidy, pension scam, and billions of naira fraud they have unearthed.
13. A self-centered National Assembly whose actions are so unpatriotic and uninspiring.
14. An inefficient judiciary that is allegedly ridden with corruption, where justice is most times delayed or denied.
15. The prevalence of ritual killings and occultism in politics and governance in the land.
16. The kidnapping of people has fast turned to a profession and the raping of women and teenage girls.
17. Our roads and highways are littered with carnage; we lack maintenance culture on virtually all our infrastructure.
We are not unmindful of the fact that this call to National repentance and prayer is a huge prayer task. Critics of prayer would ask what impact prayer has made on our national life. Others would say, have our problems not increased and worsened because we simply pray when we should be working or thinking strategically about how to solve our problems. Suffice it to say, that without prayer, Nigeria would not be where she is now. Prayer does not negate real hardwork as a means of solving societal problems. At all times, the Church has the mandate to pray for all men, and for those on authority, no matter how good or bad the times may be. We have a divine responsibility to pray for the peace of our nationa, our leaders and the Church.
Daily and weekly prayers should be held in groups, churches, cities and should cover such areas as:
1. The Nation – the economy, families, the youth and children.
2. The Seven Mountains (spheres of the society) which comprises politics and governance, the Church, Arts, Media and Entertainment, Business and Commerce, the Family, etc.
3. Global Institutions and Events – the global economy, wars, victims of natural disasters, terrorism, environmental challenges, etc.
4. The Church – the leaders, unity in the Church, revival in the church, the persecuted church, missionaries, etc.
5. Africa – regional organisations like ECOWAS, natural disasters like famine, wars, coups, poverty, diseases, etc.
6. The Unreached People Groups and the 10/40 Window.
For us to make success of this prayer project, we call on all Churches and Christians to commit themselves to a one-day fast once a week. We also implore church leaders, ministry leaders and intercessors to introduce creativity, varying patterns of prayer, from time to time so as to enliven the prayers during this one-year period. Men, women, youths and children should be sensitized and made to be involved in this prayer.
For more information, please contact Austen Ukachi (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
INSIGHT: Christian input into Olympics
Fusion is bringing people from 15 countries to take part in a Pilgrimage of Hope during the Olympic Games. From 22 July, 75 people from South America, Africa, Europe, China and Australia will be helping communities in the UK to enjoy the Games. After three days of training in community transformation, the pilgrims will head off in teams of 10 to work alongside local Christians in running community events, such as youth cafes, kids clubs and festivals. The outreach draws its inspiration from the legacy of small groups of Christians that many years ago made a huge impact, such as the Clapham Sect, which included William Wilberforce and campaigned successfully for an end to the slave trade. After eight days of mission, pilgrims will travel to Iona and Lindisfarne to retrace the steps of some of the heroes of the Christian faith. http://www.christiantoday.com/article/fusion.focuses.on.communitybuilding.during.olympics/30239.htm For a handy resource to aid churches, homegroups and houses of prayer to intercede for the Olympics use the INSIGHT article (pdf download).
Pray: for all those participating in these events that they will bring community transformation. (Gen.28:3)
Info: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=393&Itemid=93