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/
UN: Wives of ambassadors petition Syria's First Lady
The wives of the British and German ambassadors to the United Nations have written an open letter to the wife of Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad, asking her to call for peace in her country. In the unusual move Sheila Lyall Grant, wife of British ambassador Sir Mark Lyall Grant and Huberta Voss Wittig, wife of German ambassador Peter Wittig, made the letter into a short video and posted it on YouTube, urging women all over the world to sign a change.org petition strongly encouraging Asma al-Assad ‘stand up for peace - for the sake of your people’. ‘We are asking Asma Assad to take a risk and to say openly, ‘stop the bloodshed, stop it right now,’ Lyall Grant and Vos Wittig said.
Pray: pray this may go viral and that the voice of millions will be heard and acted upon for the sake of the Syrian people. (Ps.9:16: 11:7)
More: http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16210802
Syria: Church training continues despite turmoil
Last Friday marked the start of Easter for Christians across the Middle East; tens of thousands of Christians have fled Homs to Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. ‘We are following events in Syria very, very closely. We have personnel in Syria and we continue to pray for them’ said Arab World Ministries’ Christine McLaren. ‘Christians are suffering more than many in Syria because they felt a degree of sympathy with the al-Assad regime. The relative freedom to gather and worship that they enjoyed under al-Assad leaves them with mixed feelings about any change of leader.’ She added, ‘ People are afraid because Christians have felt a measure of protection greater than other Christians in the Middle East, but being aligned with the regime has now made them vulnerable to attack and identified them as enemies of the people.' Across the Middle East, Christians have been targeted throughout their ‘Holy Days’ seasons.
Pray: for the Christian workers resourcing and equipping the church, and may God do miraculous feats amongst this generation - pray for the extension of God’s kingdom throughout the Middle East. (Mt.16:18)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.training.continues.in.syria.despite.turmoil/29670.htm
Secretary supports increased church role in schooling
Education Secretary Michael Gove has said that he will ensure that the Church of England plays a greater role in the provision of schooling. He told the House of Commons yesterday (April 16) that ‘we praise and cherish the role of the Church of England in making sure children have an outstanding and inclusive education’. He ‘looked forward to working with Bishop John Pritchard to extend the role of the Church in the provision of schools.’ He also praised the Church for ‘driving in the first instance’ the provision of education. His remarks have been interpreted to signal his backing for new Church of England schools, and may provide some reassurance to those who have questioned whether Mr Gove’s support for faith schools was ebbing. The Church currently supplies education to more than a million children, and is involved in 4,800 schools. The review discussed the viability of opening new academies, adding to the 154 academies it currently has.
Pray: that the Church will be able to take up the additional requirements for education in the UK. (Ps.34:11)