Syria : Protecting and listening to Christians
Extremist Islamist forces in Syria's opposition movement have attacked local Christians due to the belief that they back the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. According to a report by the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission the country's largest denomination, the Syrian Orthodox Church, recently highlighted an ongoing ethnic cleansing of Christians. The action was allegedly by members of an al-Qaida-linked militant Islamist group, Brigade Faruq, in the city of Homs, an opposition stronghold. Catholic news agency Fides has reported that over 90 percent of Christians in Homs have fled to Jordan and their homes have been grabbed by the militants. The report stated that Christians elsewhere in Syria are not safe either due to threats and incidents of targeted abductions, killings and bombings.
Pray: for the 10% Christian and the 80% Alawite and Muslim population to find and follow the path of peace and know God’s way forward for the region. (Is.30:21)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12040146.htm
Mali: ‘Counter coup' repelled
It has been just over a month since a group of soldiers toppled Mali's democratically elected president. After a counter-coup attempt Mali's ruling military leaders said yesterday in a message aired over state television that they are in control of the state broadcaster building, the airport and the military base in Kati near the capital Bamako. The television message said, ‘Elements from abroad, supported by some obscure forces within the country, carried out these attacks. Some of them have been arrested,’ A witness to the fighting saw a large convoy of military vehicles heading to the town of Kati just outside Bamako, where the junta has set up its headquarters. The US embassy in Bamako, through its Twitter account, reported shooting, but did not specify the groups involved. A former executive of Microsoft for Africa, was appointed along with former national assembly speaker, as the interim president, to lead the country ahead of elections later this year.
Pray: for the country to return completely to constitutional rule. (Ps.45:4)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/05/2012514022453752.html
Egypt: Call for prayer as elections loom
Release International has called for a month of prayer for Christians in nations caught up in the Arab Spring - especially in Egypt where persecution looks set to grow after the presidential elections and Christians brace themselves for increased persecution. Release reported, ‘This is a hugely significant time for Christians in the Middle East and North Africa as their countries undergo seismic shifts in their political structures. Hard-line Islamist groups are making significant inroads into the political process. While there are great opportunities for Christians to contribute to the development of their societies, they need our prayers for protection and wisdom like never before.’ Release has produced a prayer guide, focusing prayer throughout May on Egypt, Libya, Syria, Morocco, Yemen, Tunisia and Bahrain. See:
Pray: for the 100,000 Christians who have left Egypt since last year’s uprising. Pray that this exodus will stop. Pray that those who remain will have a fresh revelation of God as their rock and salvation (Ps.62:2).
Kenya: Grenade Attack on Church
On Sunday a grenade explosion killed 27-year-old university student Kelvin Walumba at God’s House of Miracles International Church in Nairobi. Sixteen people were also injured. Islamic extremists from al Shabaab rebels in Somalia have embarked on a series of attacks in Kenya after the Kenyan military invaded Somali territory last autumn in an attempt to quell al Shabaab violence at tourist destinations. Speculation that the attack stemmed from a land dispute were untrue, as the dispute with the church was resolved in court last year. Four church members are in a critical condition: Leonida Mbogo, Julia Mumbi, Ezekiel Muthini and Shalom Koronge. Mbogo sustained serious injuries to her leg, which was broken. The explosion comes a week after the U.S. Embassy in Kenya issued a possible terror attack warning. It also comes less than a month after a similar explosion took place in Mtwapa, claiming one life and injuring 30+.
Pray: against anti-Christian violence, and may Kenyan troops and government win the battle against al-Shabab. (Ps.12:7)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/kenya/article_1522556.html
China: Support for Chen Guangcheng
An open letter from Women's Rights Without Frontiers has been sent to President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and Ambassador Locke, on Behalf of Chen Guangcheng stating, ‘The American people and the people of the world cry out for freedom for Chen Guangcheng. If you deliver him back into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, he will no doubt be imprisoned, tortured, possibly killed. Would you use this noble man as a bargaining chip in trade talks? To do so would be to sell the soul of our nation.’ Chen is an activist for the lives of women and babies in China; a man of inconceivable bravery. Poor, blind, beaten and detained, he stands alone against the crushing brutality of the communist regime’s One Child Policy. The women of China have suffered the torture of forced abortion and involuntary sterilization at the hands of the Chinese population control machine for thirty-two years.
Pray: as Secretary Clinton travels to Beijing next week - may she speak out on the world stage for Chen and women's rights. (Ps.12:5)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/index.php
Iran: IMF Pressured to Suspend Accounts
A New York-based advocacy group that has pressured companies and organizations to halt business with Iran because of its disputed nuclear program is urging the International Monetary Fund to close its account at Iran’s central bank and suspend Iran as a member. Mark Wallace, president of United Against Nuclear Iran, a group whose founders include current and former administration officials, has sent a letter to IMF managing director Christine Lagarde criticizing the IMF’s relationship with Iran. Iran’s central bank, also known as Bank Markazi, has been sanctioned by the U.S. and the European Union. Wallace’s group is attempting to isolate Iran and pressure it to give up its uranium enrichment activities and to cooperate more fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The IMF’s chief spokesman, William Murray, said the Fund isn’t violating any laws and is following its normal rules toward member nations. The U.S. Treasury and EU spokesmen declined to comment on the call for Iran to be suspended from the IMF.
Pray: for God to move the heart of the Iranian leadership – enabling them to engage with the rest of the world. (2 Ch.36:22)
Nigeria: Help needed to fight militants
Chad's leader has called for the urgent creation of a regional force to tackle Nigerian Boko Haram militants. The Islamist group operates in northern Nigeria, but President Idriss Deby said it was posing a threat to its neighbours around Lake Chad. ‘Our basin is exposed to insecurity because of the permanent threat posed by Boko Haram,’ he said. Nigeria has been struggling to contain attacks by the militants who want to impose Islamic law in the country. Barnabas Fund reported Tuesday that around 300 Christians have been killed in one diocese in the past three weeks. Last Sunday 3 church services in Northern Nigeria were targeted leaving 27 dead. See:
Pray: for the creation of a joint African deterrence force to protect the Christian community in Nigeria. (Ps.17:8-9)
Moving Into Action (MIA2012; http://www.mia2012.co.za/) is a large-scale volunteer and missions mobilization conference with outreaches, to be hosted Pretoria, South Africa from 25 - 27 June 2012.
Calling Christians in all nations to stand in solidarity with Jerusalem and her King, praying together for her peace and security on June 7th each year, beginning in 2012, but also throughout the year. We will commemorate and give thanks to God for the fact that after thousands of years, on this historic day in 1967, Jerusalem was reunited as the Capital of Israel. (Luke 21:24-33) While this date changes each year on the Jewish calendar, we are commemorating each year the actual day that it happened in 1967, June 7th.
Greetings from Jerusalem!
The importance of standing in united prayer for Jerusalem remaining the united capital of Israel with Jews and Arabs living together is more important than ever this year due to the threats internally in the Middle East and from numerous places worldwide to divide Jerusalem. We also pray that God will open a fountain over the House of David (Jewish people) and other inhabitants of Jerusalem (largely Arabs). Historically and covenantally, Jerusalem was King David's city and is the city of our Great King Mt. 5:35. The mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barak says historically there has never been a successful experience when a city has been divided; also Jerusalem has never been the capital of any other nation than Israel.
To view the attached Jerusalem Day of Prayer video clip, click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=0IyOrcEzOnU&feature=youtube.be
We will pray for:
1. Jews and Arabs as brothers, cousins, and natural children of Abraham to grow deeper in love and unity with God and each other in Jerusalem, Israel and the Middle East. (Isa. 19:23-25)
2. His people to look on Him and that He will open a fountain over both communities, the House of David and all the other inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Zach. 12:10-13:1)
3. Jerusalem to fulfill the plans of God's heart and be a place of justice for all. (Lev. 19:15, Eze. 47:22, Micah 6:8, Amos 5:24)
4. God to strengthen the leaders and people of Jerusalem and Israel to stand in His everlasting covenant that Jerusalem, the City of the Great King, will remain the Capital forever. (Gen. 14:18-22, Ps. 48:1-2,3, Psa. 122:3-7, Zech. 12:5)
5. Watchmen in all nations and cities to take no rest and give God no rest day and night standing in solidarity worshipping and interceding for Jerusalem. (Isa. 62:6, Zech. 12:4)
6. The way to be prepared for the coming of the King of Glory to the Mt. of Olives, to open and go through the Golden/Eastern Gate and take up the Throne of David, (Ps. 24, Eze. 43:1-7, Isa. 9:7) resulting in judgment on the nations that try to divide Jerusalem and the land of Israel. Pray that your nation will stand with Jerusalem. (Joel 3:1,2, Zech. 12:1-3, Matt. 5:35)
7. Shalom to Jerusalem and her becoming a praise in all the earth forever. (Isa. 62:7)
8. Her King will reign as Prince of Peace over Jerusalem, Israel, (Isa. 9:6), the Middle East (Isa. 19:23-25) and all nations forever. (Zech. 14:9)
9/11/01 was a world-changing event, a "set time," trumpeting God's purposeful call to the Body of Christ. The events of that cataclysmic day heralded a call to America's destiny and for the nations to arise. Since that fateful day, a divinely inspired hunger for His Presence, to pursue God, to know Him has been growing in hearts of a remnant of believers and is reflected in Amos 9:11, "On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old." History is replete with the life-changing, culture-transforming benefits of ongoing prayer in the spirit of the Tabernacle of David. Accentuated by the events of 9/11, we are once again in a "set time" for the ingathering of the worshipers, who will worship Him in spirit and truth. This desire has ignited a growing movement as prayer rooms, houses of prayer, prayer centers, or simple gathering of saints in communities to worship Him are emerging across the globe. It is not only an individual but a corporate call to intimacy with the Lord.
As a complementary addition to the present day church, the present-day restoration of the spirit of the Tabernacle of David is propelling the church into its finest hour. As people reach across denominational lines to answer the call to corporately worship, relationships are being restored and built. Barriers between churches, cities, and even nations are breaking down as the love of God knits hearts together in worship and praise. In His Presence, God is restoring and deepening ancient foundations of the church, the greatest commandments Jesus spoke of, to love God and to love one another (Matthew 22:38-39). As the church rises to this call, Romans 11:25 is transpiring, "For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."
The purpose of this book is to relay the biblical, historic and prophetic import of repairing the walls of intercessory worship in our communities in the spirit of the Tabernacle of David, to encourage those called to build it and to give revelation and insight for the church to receive it. The book relays biblical foundations with historic and present day applications of the import of this restoration process. It is not meant to be a dispensational theology, but rather a realistic, empowering guide to help encourage and establish city/region wide worship that leads to personal and community transformation. The book is a result of years of mobilizing a regional intercessory worship watch and developing a network throughout our state that has now reached into the nations, particularly Israel and the Middle East. We have seen these gatherings build and view it as an emerging move of God that is a call from heaven. It is a call in these tumultuous times that will lead to prophetic fulfillment of the nations, of Israel, and prepare the way for His return.