As the nation of Sierra Leone prepares for the forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentarian elections on Nov. 17th, 2012, please pray for the peace, stability, and tranquility that this nation has enjoyed after ten years of brutal civil war will be maintained.
Please pray for a peaceful, fair, free, and transparent elections and that there will be no violence, vandalism, insurrection, or rigging.
Pray that pastors and church leaders will not get mixed up in politics and compromise their call. There are some pastors and religious leaders who claim to prophesy and give false hope to politicians, that they are the ones the Lord has chosen even when the Lord has not spoken. Please pray that the word will be preached with integrity and not diluted.
Please pray that during this period many will come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”
The wave is beginning to rise for the 3rd Annual Global Day of Worship on 12.12.12!
This year, the Global Day of Worship team will be leading 12.12.12 from Jerusalem, Israel. We invite the world’s believers and followers of Jesus Christ, the Messiah to give thanks and declare His goodness, faithfulness, salvation as well as deliverance over our lives, families and nations – with special emphasis on Israel.
In four months, the third annual Global Day of Worship will be held in 24 time zones around the world from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in every zone. Imagine a wave of worship beginning at 7 pm in New Zealand and spanning the globe uniting all believers. We will agree with and join the 24 elders, who are spoken of in Revelations 4, and are already worshiping Jesus around the throne. Global Day of Worship on 12.12.12 has a heart to unify many denominations while embracing and celebrating the differences in our expressions of love for Jesus, the Messiah. Join gatherings around the world via www.globaldayofworship.com or create a gathering of worshipers in your area. Let the Global Day of Worship team know and we can help to spread the word.
Afghanistan: Refugees in Pakistan
Pakistan faces international pressure to extend the stay of Afghan refugees beyond 31st December. The Pakistan Government’s response is, ‘When their refugee status expires on December 31st they must leave.’ Pakistan intends to expel 3 million Afghans, 1.7 million of them registered and more than half of these living in camps. Most refugees have lived in Pakistan for more than 30 years, and have nothing to return to; their homes, lands and businesses have been destroyed by war or taken by others. Although they live in extreme poverty they would have even less in their native land. Bukahri, an Afghan tribal elder who has been in Pakistan for 30 years running an electrical shop and doing social work said, ‘I'm not saying we won't go, but at this point in time, Afghanistan is weak and will not be able to take this burden.’
Pray: for Afghanistan to prepare for this influx and for many to have homes land and businesses restored. Pray also for refugees to be introduced to the One who is their shield and provider. (Ps.18:36)
More: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/NH07Df02.html
Syria: Syrians are 'terrified'
‘People are terrified,’ said Chaldean Christian Bishop Antoine Audo. ‘The situation is becoming more and more violent and uncertain.’ Thousands have already fled the war-torn areas and those trapped in the crossfire are running out of food and basic supplies. People are sleeping in schools and parks, there is a great human need now, we don't know what will come next. Scores of people are being killed every day as hundreds are continuously being forced from their homes.’ While al-Assad's regime has been portrayed as tyrannical by many some suggest that at least it protected religious freedom and allowed minorities like Christians to live in peace. Many fear Syria will change if radical Islamists take over and bring in Sharia law.
Pray: that this terrible war will ultimately bring about God’s way forward for the people of Syria and that many will turn to the One who rescues the lives of the needy. (Jer.20:13)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/aleppo.bishop.syrians.are.terrified/30425.htm
Nigeria: Gunmen and bombs
A suicide bomber in Damaturu Nigeria has killed at least six soldiers and two civilians when he rammed a car into a military vehicle that was part of a convoy. No group has said it carried out the bombing. Damaturu is frequently attacked by Boko Haram. See: Nineteen worshippers were killed when gunmen opened fire at Deeper Life Evangelical Church during their Monday evening service in Kogi State. No group has yet claimed responsibility, but Boko Haram has claimed scores of attacks on churches in northern and central Nigeria in recent months. Twenty-four hours after the church attack gunmen came to a local mosque and tried to force their way in as Muslims gathered for their Tafsir prayer. They opened fire and killed two soldiers guarding the premises. See: Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer. It is roughly divided between a Muslim north and Christian south.
Pray: for Christian and Muslim leaders in Nigeria's Government to be able to instil calm and a peaceful co-existence. (Pr.29:4)
World: Night of Power and Egyptian students
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
Congolese churches issue a 'cry of distress' over war
Protestant churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo have issued a ‘cry of distress’ following increased killing and displacement of civilians in the fighting between the army and rebels in the eastern parts of the country. Hundreds of people have been killed, according to various reports, but exact numbers are difficult to ascertain. More than 15,000 have sought refuge in Rwanda and Uganda, according to the churches. ‘We denounce these wars and the attempt by the rebels to balkanize our country,’ said the Rev Josue' Bulambo Lembelembe, a vice-president of the Church of Christ in Congo in North Kivu in a statement on 4 August. Since 1994, an estimated six million people have died in meaningless wars, the churches said. Currently, nearly two million people are displaced in DRC and millions are at the mercy of militias who kill, rape and loot, according to Oxfam, a UK charity.
Pray: for the people of DR Congo that God would intervene and stop the killing and answer the cry of distress. (Ps.5:1-4)
More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=5851
Gloucester Council apologises for stopping a Christian group handing out tracts
Following the intervention of the Christian Legal Centre, Gloucester City Council has issued a statement apologising for stopping a Christian group from handing out leaflets and admitting it was wrong to stop them. The apology follows the threat of legal action after Gloucester City Council told a group of Christians that they could not distribute Christian literature in the town’s city centre. The tracts were being handed out by members of at least ten city churches during ‘Bible Day Gloucester’ last month. Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting the group, commented: ‘This is a victory for free speech. Gloucester City Council is to be commended for reversing their decision to ban the distribution of Christian literature. The Christian Gospel is all about freedom and freedom has been upheld in Gloucester. So much of what we value as a nation stems from the teachings of Jesus.’
Praise: God for the change of heart by Gloucester City Council. (Pr.92:1)
Gloucester Council apologises for stopping a Christian group handing out tracts
Following the intervention of the Christian Legal Centre, Gloucester City Council has issued a statement apologising for stopping a Christian group from handing out leaflets and admitting it was wrong to stop them. The apology follows the threat of legal action after Gloucester City Council told a group of Christians that they could not distribute Christian literature in the town’s city centre. The tracts were being handed out by members of at least ten city churches during ‘Bible Day Gloucester’ last month. Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting the group, commented: ‘This is a victory for free speech. Gloucester City Council is to be commended for reversing their decision to ban the distribution of Christian literature. The Christian Gospel is all about freedom and freedom has been upheld in Gloucester. So much of what we value as a nation stems from the teachings of Jesus.’
Praise: God for the change of heart by Gloucester City Council. (Pr.92:1)
Saudi woman publicly announces her faith in Christ
Last week a Saudi woman who introduced herself as ‘Maryam’ announced in a video published on the internet that she has forsaken Islam and converted to Christianity, according to Mohabat News. Apparently, she is the first Saudi-Arabian woman to publicly declare her faith in such a manner. The new convert said in the published video that she hasn’t removed her Hijab for fear of her life and to keep her identity unknown. The publishing of the video on the internet angered Saudi officials and Muftis. They highly criticized the video and called urgently for necessary measures to stop Christian evangelism in Saudi Arabia. In the short video, Maryam says: ‘I have quit the darkness of Wahhabi Islam and entered the light of Christianity. I dreamt that I needed to do this. Jesus Christ came to visit me in my dream and gave me the name of Maryam (Arabic pronunciation of Mary).’
Praise: God that He speaks through dreams and visions and pray for Maryam’s continued blessing. (Joel.2:28)