Would you attempt a dangerous river crossing in the middle of the night? Could you take the risk of bribing a border guard to get to a safe country, knowing there’s a chance they would let you cross and then hand you over to the authorities?
For thousands of North Koreans, many take these dangerous options to escape life under the grip of one of the world’s most brutal and repressive regimes.
There are an estimated 100,000 North Korean refugees in China, who have escaped, risking their lives to reach a place of safety in South Korea. But many of them are trapped in China and at risk of being sent back to North Korea. China’s treatment of these refugees is appalling. They routinely send them back across the border, to face interrogation, torture, imprisonment and even execution when they arrive.
Most Americans believe in positive effects of Christianity
More Americans believe that Christianity has a positive rather than a negative impact on key issues such as the level of crime and poverty in society, raising children with good morals and ethics in business, a new poll shows. The survey, commissioned by American research firm Grey Matter, asked 1,000 American adults whether they feel the Christian faith generally has a positive impact, a negative impact, or no real impact on 16 different areas of society, including sexuality, poverty, business ethics, crime, the role of women in society, and how people treat the environment. It found that 72pc believed the Christian faith has a positive impact on children being raised with good morals. Seventy-two per-cent also said they thought that the Christian faith had a positive impact in the realm of helping the less fortunate. Fifty-two percent believe the Christian faith positively impacts keeping the United States as a strong nation. Forty-nine percent see a positive impact on the role of women in society..
Praise: God that the impact our faith has on our lifestyle can change the world. (Jas.1:17)
More: http://www.ionainstitute.ie/index.php?id=2077
Most Americans believe in positive effects of Christianity
More Americans believe that Christianity has a positive rather than a negative impact on key issues such as the level of crime and poverty in society, raising children with good morals and ethics in business, a new poll shows. The survey, commissioned by American research firm Grey Matter, asked 1,000 American adults whether they feel the Christian faith generally has a positive impact, a negative impact, or no real impact on 16 different areas of society, including sexuality, poverty, business ethics, crime, the role of women in society, and how people treat the environment. It found that 72pc believed the Christian faith has a positive impact on children being raised with good morals. Seventy-two per-cent also said they thought that the Christian faith had a positive impact in the realm of helping the less fortunate. Fifty-two percent believe the Christian faith positively impacts keeping the United States as a strong nation. Forty-nine percent see a positive impact on the role of women in society..
Praise: God that the impact our faith has on our lifestyle can change the world. (Jas.1:17)
More: http://www.ionainstitute.ie/index.php?id=2077
Untold Titanic story - John Harper
John Harper boarded the Titanic with his six-year-old daughter Nana bound for Chicago where he'd been invited to preach for three months. When the ship began to sink Harper made sure his daughter was placed into one of the lifeboats. He then began what would be the last evangelistic work of his young life. As the freezing waters began to fill the ship Harper was heard shouting, ‘Let the women, children and the unsaved into the lifeboats.’ Survivors reported that Harper took off his own life jacket and gave it to a man who said he was not saved. ‘Don't worry about me,’ he said, ‘I’m not going, down I'm going up!’ While 1,500 drowned or froze to death Harper swam from one passenger to another pleading with them to accept Christ. Harper's last convert was asked, ‘Are you saved? No,’ the man replied. Harper then shouted ‘ Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.’ The man drifted away on the waves. A few minutes later the current brought the two men back together. Harper repeated his question with his dying breath, then slipped under the waves for the last time. Then and there the man decided to turn his life over to Christ.
Praise: God for the preservation and re-telling of John Harper’s story. (Mt.10:39-41)
More: http://www.sonserver.com/archive/titanic.htm
Untold Titanic story - John Harper
John Harper boarded the Titanic with his six-year-old daughter Nana bound for Chicago where he'd been invited to preach for three months. When the ship began to sink Harper made sure his daughter was placed into one of the lifeboats. He then began what would be the last evangelistic work of his young life. As the freezing waters began to fill the ship Harper was heard shouting, ‘Let the women, children and the unsaved into the lifeboats.’ Survivors reported that Harper took off his own life jacket and gave it to a man who said he was not saved. ‘Don't worry about me,’ he said, ‘I’m not going, down I'm going up!’ While 1,500 drowned or froze to death Harper swam from one passenger to another pleading with them to accept Christ. Harper's last convert was asked, ‘Are you saved? No,’ the man replied. Harper then shouted ‘ Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.’ The man drifted away on the waves. A few minutes later the current brought the two men back together. Harper repeated his question with his dying breath, then slipped under the waves for the last time. Then and there the man decided to turn his life over to Christ.
Praise: God for the preservation and re-telling of John Harper’s story. (Mt.10:39-41)
More: http://www.sonserver.com/archive/titanic.htm
Egypt: Presidential poll bans on candidates
Ten candidates who had applied to run in the Egyptian presidential election are disqualified. They include ex-spy chief Omar Suleiman, Muslim Brotherhood leader Khairat al-Shater and ultraconservative Salafist, Hazem Abu Ismail. The three were considered front-runners. The BBC's correspondent in Cairo says the decision reshapes the election. A final list of candidates will be published on 26 April, when the election campaign officially begins. Please continue to pray for God’s chosen people to lead Egypt into His purposes. Others are likely to move to the front of the race, including the former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, and an independent Islamist who broke away from the Muslim Brotherhood, Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh. Already some demonstrators have gathered outside the electoral commission to protest against the decision, which could increase tension between Islamists and the ruling military council. The first round of voting is scheduled for 23 and 24 May.
Pray: Egyptians may know God's wisdom as they vote next month and for God to be glorified through the results. (Pr.14: 28)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17748256
Turkey: Update on trial of murderers of Christians
18th April was the 5th anniversary of the murder of three Christians at Zirve Christian publishing house in Malatya. Five men were arrested at the scene and charged with the murders. Their trial became complicated, hearings have been postponed. The case is classed as a terrorism trial because of more complicated issues of conspiracy to overthrow the government. On the 8th March we asked you to pray ‘that this case will be resolved and justice be done. (Pr.18:5)’ Today Turkish Christians request our continued prayers that family members and friends of the victims continue to know the peace of Jesus as the trial process continues this month - Justice will be done concerning the perpetrators, and that all those behind them will be identified.- All those who aided the murders would have a deep conviction about what they have done, and understand the depths of Jesus’ forgiveness
Pray: that judges, officials, lawyers and journalists involved will hear the Gospel of Jesus and be drawn to the Father’s love, forgiveness and acceptance. (Pr.2:7,8)
Saudi Arabia: The Overcomer
Muslim social network users are calling for the arrest and death of a Saudi Arabian Christian convert they say insulted Muhammad via Twitter, Click to watch a short video. Hamoud Bin Saleh, has been imprisoned three times in eight years for attacks against Islam. In 2004 he spent nine months in jail after blogging about his conversion from Islam to Christianity, he was also arrested and jailed for a month after writing about religious matters. During that time he suffered sleep deprivation, solitary confinement and physical and psychological abuse. In 2009 he was released on condition he did not travel outside the country or appear in the media. Please pray that Hamoud's voice for Christ will not be silenced by the authorities or by those who oppose his Christian faith. Please pray that Hamoud will not fear despite his past suffering (1Pe. 3:14).
Pray: God's comfort and provision for persecuted Saudi Arabian Christians who are jailed and tortured for their faith. (Mt.24:9)
More: http://vomcblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/saudi-arabian-christian-attacked-on.html
Nigeria: Call for protection of Christians
The Nigerian government must do more to protect Christians after another church was targeted over the weekend, an advocacy group has said. (see last weeks Prayer-Alert 15-2012) Suspicion for responsibility has fallen on Boko Haram. The Christian Association of Nigeria recently said it believes that Boko Haram, which means ‘Western education is sacrilege’ intends to ‘exterminate’ Nigeria’s Christian population. The Rev Yunusa Nmadu, chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria called upon the international community and the US administration in particular to declare Boko Haram a terrorist group ‘because this is what it is in reality.’ He also appealed to the Nigerian government to ensure adequate protection for Christians ‘as they are the main targets and regular victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.’ Christian Solidarity Worldwide said the burden of security should not be left to individuals.
Pray: for the international community to provide counter-insurgency training for the army and police and may God give them the wisdom to prevent further bloodshed. (Pr.1:5)
Morocco: Believers arrested
Three believers were arrested in a café on March 1st. During detention police gained information about other secret Moroccan believers. The arrest involved two young men meeting an older believer from another city. The two young men were released but the older believer remains in custody. The families of the two young men did not know they were following Christ. One of them is no longer welcome in his home now his beliefs are known. Many foreign Christians and missionaries were expelled from Morocco two years ago, creating a significant impact on the Church as anti-Christian sentiment seems to be growing. Moroccan believers now meet in small groups for fear of persecution. Becoming a Christian in Morocco is not illegal, but it’s illegal to share the gospel with non-Christians. Please pray that Moroccan believers, that passion for Christ will be a light that draws many others to Christ.
Pray: for Moroccan Christians to be protected as they face the threats of reprisals, pray also for those jailed to be strengthened in their faith and remain strong in the Lord. (Mat. 5:14-16).
More: http://vomcblog.blogspot.co.uk/