Pakistan/Afghanistan: Lawlessness in the region
The Haqqani Network is credited with introducing suicide bombing to Afghanistan and has been blamed for the series of brazen attacks during the weekend of April 15th in Kabul. The 18-hour battle left 36 insurgents and 11 others dead. Apart from Kabul the eastern capitals of Paktia, Logar and Nangarhar provinces also came under attack as suicide bombers tried to storm a NATO base, an airport and police installations there. JH. is one of the most important Taliban military commanders fighting against the Afghan government and US forces in Afghanistan and is seen by some analysts as the main engine in the Taliban movement. Despite ill health, he is in his 70s, he inspires Haqqani foot soldiers believed to number up to 4,000, as well as other militant groups who revere him. His son, S., is seen as more ruthless, and runs the daily affairs of the network. He is aligned with the current leader of al-Qaeda. We are asked to continue to intercede for PEACE and against CORRUPTION, and may all shady practices and illegal dealings be exposed no matter who is involved.
Pray: for J H and his son to experience miracles, for visions and dreams of truth from Jesus Christ and for all unholy alliances to disintegrate. (Ex.20:3)
Afghanistan: Protection for British personnel and troops
On Sunday 15 April there was a Taliban strike across Afghanistan in a 'spring offensive'. They targeted foreign embassies, including the British, Nato's HQ and the Afghan parliament as well as other areas in Afghanistan. A rocket-propelled grenade was also fired at a house used by British diplomats. Two Afghan security force members and a further 17 Afghan police officers and nine civilians were injured. On 21 April, Afghan security officials foiled a huge attack in the capital Kabul, after the seizure of 10 tonnes of explosives. This amount of explosives could have caused large-scale bloodshed.
Pray: for British servicemen work closely with Afghan police and security forces in many regions in Afghanistan including Kabul. Please pray that God will protect the British Embassy staff and military personnel at all times and help them remain vigilant. (1 Pe.5:8)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17796556
Indonesia: WORLD PRAYER ASSEMBLY – 14-18 May 2012
The World Prayer Assembly 2012 will be a ‘new wave’ to strategically connect and empower global prayer and mission movements. 5000-6000 Christian leaders from up to 220 nations will join with the Lord and each other through united prayer, leading to Spirit-inspired action to transform our world. The World Prayer Assembly, taking place in the largest Muslim country in the world, is being arranged and co-hosted by leaders of the Indonesian and Korean prayer movements, two of the most powerful prayer forces in the world. The event is being held with the support of international prayer networks such as the International Prayer Council and the Global Day of Prayer. The ultimate goal of the World Prayer Assembly is two-fold: to see the knowledge of the glory of the Lord filling the earth as the waters cover the sea and to experience the fulfilment of Jesus’ prayer that His followers would become one so that the world will know He is its Creator and Saviour (John 17:21).
Pray: for all the delegates that God will speak clearly into their lives with His prophetic word for the Church of today. (Hab.2:14)
More: http://www.wpa2012.org/home
Uruguay: Baby boy raised from the dead
The extraordinary story of a Uruguayan doctor who says she prayed for a baby and miraculously he came back to life. Dr. Marta Martínez a respected doctor from Montevideo, Uruguay said, ‘a baby boy had come to the hospital in a very bad condition, with malnutrition, dehydration and septicaemia. There appeared to be nothing we could do for him. While I was present, watching him at the moment of the death, I thought: It is better for him to die’. At that moment, I felt God speaking to me saying: He has the right to live. So, immediately, I put my hand over him, and started to pray and thank God he was 'resurrected' - he came back to life! It was an amazing miracle. I have also seen other healings and I believe in divine healing because, first of all, it is written in the Bible, and secondly I have seen others healed in a miraculous way and have also experienced it in my own body'..
Praise: God for His gift of miracles and the power of the Holy Spirit. (Mt.7:11)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12040116.htm
Uruguay: Baby boy raised from the dead
The extraordinary story of a Uruguayan doctor who says she prayed for a baby and miraculously he came back to life. Dr. Marta Martínez a respected doctor from Montevideo, Uruguay said, ‘a baby boy had come to the hospital in a very bad condition, with malnutrition, dehydration and septicaemia. There appeared to be nothing we could do for him. While I was present, watching him at the moment of the death, I thought: It is better for him to die’. At that moment, I felt God speaking to me saying: He has the right to live. So, immediately, I put my hand over him, and started to pray and thank God he was 'resurrected' - he came back to life! It was an amazing miracle. I have also seen other healings and I believe in divine healing because, first of all, it is written in the Bible, and secondly I have seen others healed in a miraculous way and have also experienced it in my own body'..
Praise: God for His gift of miracles and the power of the Holy Spirit. (Mt.7:11)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12040116.htm
France hears the Gospel, or at least the music
As pedestrians walked along the river Seine in Paris on a recent balmy Sunday, they could hear soaring music coming from a boat moored quayside in the Bercy neighbourhood. The curious who crossed the metal gangplank to peek inside the vessel saw an energetic singer and a pianist, both dressed in white, and a bass player and saxophonist dressed in black. The quartet were performers at a ‘Gospel brunch,’ the latest example of the popularity of gospel music in France. Listeners don't always understand the words, since they're in English, but they understand the emotion, according to some performers.
Praise: that the words and emotion would speak into the hearts and minds of those who hear. (Jn.16:13)
More: http://www.eni.ch/news/
France hears the Gospel, or at least the music
As pedestrians walked along the river Seine in Paris on a recent balmy Sunday, they could hear soaring music coming from a boat moored quayside in the Bercy neighbourhood. The curious who crossed the metal gangplank to peek inside the vessel saw an energetic singer and a pianist, both dressed in white, and a bass player and saxophonist dressed in black. The quartet were performers at a ‘Gospel brunch,’ the latest example of the popularity of gospel music in France. Listeners don't always understand the words, since they're in English, but they understand the emotion, according to some performers.
Praise: that the words and emotion would speak into the hearts and minds of those who hear. (Jn.16:13)
More: http://www.eni.ch/news/
Ban on Christian advert upheld
A judge has upheld a government decision to ban an advert calling on Christians to report their experience of marginalisation in the work place. Premier Christian Radio and its magazine publications division CCP Ltd had challenged the decision, made by the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC), on the grounds that it restricted freedom of speech. The RACC claimed the advert had a political objective and broadcasting it would infringe provisions of the 2003 Communications Act that ban political advertising. At the London High Court, Mr Justice Silber upheld the ban and ruled the original RACC decision was both ‘rational and lawful’. Justice Silber said the advert tried ‘to make changes to society’ through its request for information from the public. He also concluded that the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's stance on the issue wasn't 'anti-Christian'. Premier's Chief Executive Peter Kerridge says he's disappointed by the ruling and believes it raises more questions than answers.
Pray: that the planned appeal would lead to a reversed decision. (Is.5:16)
More: http://www.premier.org.uk/news/current/Ban%20on%20Christian%20advert%20upheld.aspx
Church leader challenges Ken Livingstone on Islam comments
The pastor of one of the largest churches in Britain has challenged Ken Livingstone over his claim that he will make London a ‘beacon of Islam’. Colin Dye, the senior pastor of Kensington Temple church, has written a letter to London mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone following his controversial comments on Islam last month. In a speech at the North London Central Mosque, Mr Livingstone told the audience that he was determined to ‘educate the mass of Londoners’ about Islam. ‘I want to spend the next four years making sure that every non-muslim in London knows and understands its words and message. That will help to cement our city as a beacon that demonstrates the meaning of the words of the Prophet’, he said. Running for mayor for the fourth time, Mr Livingstone spoke to assembled Muslims at the controversial mosque and described Mohammed’s words in his last sermon as ‘an agenda for all humanity.’ (See Prayer Alert 12-2012)
Pray: that Colin Dye’s letter will challenge Mr Livingstone’s ideas and remind him of our Christian roots. Mt.15:13)
Christians harnessing Facebook to share faith
Christians in the UK are turning increasingly to social media sites like Facebook to share their faith, new research has found. In a survey on attitudes to online mission by Christian Vision and Premier Christian Media, 64% said they were using social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to share their faith in an intentional way. Of the 700 Christians surveyed, 84% agreed that the online space was a huge mission field. More than two-thirds (71%) said they post links to Christian sites or content with missional values, while 73% said they intentionally post or link to content in order to share their faith. Interestingly, the study found that interaction with social media was prolific across the age spectrum, rather than just among young people.
Pray: that the Church will grasp hold of the new technologies to share our faith. (1Cor.9:23)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.harnessing.facebook.to.share.faith/29753.htm