Ethiopia: Ahmed met Jesus
Ahmed hated Christians. He attacked them and burned their Bibles. Then he was saved through direct encounters with God and came out of Islam to become a mighty Gospel missionary in Ethiopia. He says, ‘When I was sleeping a Voice came from Heaven and said, 'Mohammad, you are living in darkness. Come out of that cave and follow Me.’ Somehow Ahmed knew it was the voice of the Christian God but when he confided his dream to his mother she kicked him out of the family home, so he dismissed God's attention. Then he became ill, ‘I couldn't eat, walk or talk, I went to hospitals but was not healed.’ In desperation he humbly asked for help from Christian missionaries who talked about Jesus’ message of salvation by grace through faith, and then they prayed together. Now Ahmed says, ‘Jesus is my peace, my healing, my ministry, and my Saviour.’
Praise: God for Ahemed’s story and may millions more living in total darkness hear His still small voice. (Is.30:20-22)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=9896
Ethiopia: Ahmed met Jesus
Ahmed hated Christians. He attacked them and burned their Bibles. Then he was saved through direct encounters with God and came out of Islam to become a mighty Gospel missionary in Ethiopia. He says, ‘When I was sleeping a Voice came from Heaven and said, 'Mohammad, you are living in darkness. Come out of that cave and follow Me.’ Somehow Ahmed knew it was the voice of the Christian God but when he confided his dream to his mother she kicked him out of the family home, so he dismissed God's attention. Then he became ill, ‘I couldn't eat, walk or talk, I went to hospitals but was not healed.’ In desperation he humbly asked for help from Christian missionaries who talked about Jesus’ message of salvation by grace through faith, and then they prayed together. Now Ahmed says, ‘Jesus is my peace, my healing, my ministry, and my Saviour.’
Praise: God for Ahemed’s story and may millions more living in total darkness hear His still small voice. (Is.30:20-22)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=9896
Libya: Leader threatens 'force' to defend unity
Tribal leaders and a political faction declared autonomy for an eastern region of Lybia, but Abdel Jalil said, ‘We are not prepared to divide Libya,’ and called on leaders in the eastern Cyrenaica region to engage in dialogue saying infiltrators and remnants of Gaddafi's regime wanted to exploit them. He said he was ready to deter opposition with force. ‘The national charter contains provisions that protect this nation and it is like a constitution for Libya's future.’ Some tribal and political leaders in the oil-rich east are trying to carve out a semi-autonomous territory and have called for a federal system of governance. From 1951 to 1963 the country was split into three states-Cyrenaica, Tripolitania and Fezzan. Advocates of a return to federalism believe it prevents the east from being marginalised as was the case for decades, while opponents fear the initiative will split the country and stand in the way of reconciliation.
Pray: for God to help the leaders to faithfully represent Libya’s interests in this sensitive period. (Ps.33:10,11)
USA: Candidates' pledges
Open Doors USA is working with candidates from both parties seeking the position of President of the United States to craft a religious freedom pledge. The pledge has now been presented to all of the presidential candidates to sign. A candidate’s signature indicates they commit to upholding religious freedom for people of all faiths in America, and prioritizing religious freedom concerns in foreign policy. So far, Rick Santorum is the only presidential candidate who has signed it. Meanwhile, a coalition of Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders are asking candidates not to lose sight of Middle East peace. Their statement reads, ‘While majorities of Israelis and Palestinians continue to long for peace, political problems on both sides inhibit leaders from moving forward. The months leading up to US national elections present a special challenge, we urge candidates not to use any rhetoric that could make prospects for peace more problematic.’ See:
Pray: that the next US President will uphold religious freedom and cultural justice into the national spotlight and preserve these most valued freedoms for future generations. (Ps.45:4)
More: http://www.pledgeforreligiousfreedom.com/pledge-for-religious-freedom
USA: Aid needed for tornado victims
Last week a tornado outbreak of 440 warnings in five states killed 39 people and completely flattened whole townships. Meteorologists say this only comes along once every 10 or 20 years. The Salvation Army has sent in Emergency Disaster Service teams from nearby New Albany to the badly damaged town of Henryville in Clark County, where mobile canteens have been set up. Another team is providing food for 200 people at the Red Cross shelter in Charlestown. In Washington County, they are providing food for nearly 400 victims. The Salvation Army is assessing what's needed and providing support to the victims of these storms, and believe they will be meeting needs for a long time.’ Father Schaftlein in Henryville, a town severely affected said, ‘Although the response to provide help to those people affected has been significant, sustaining that outreach over the course of several months will be vital.'
Pray: for excellent communication between the various service providers, enabling swift, successful and appropriate aid wherever it is needed. (Php.4:19)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/salvation.army.aids.tornadoaffected.communities/29423.htm
Iran: Unknown condition of another Christian detainee
Esfahan: Iranian security authorities had promised to release Enayat Jafari in one week if the media were not informed about this incident! However although the media promised, two weeks have now passed and still no precise information is available on this Christian detainee's situation. According to reporters of Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News, this is the first time that his name is being published as a detainee who was recently arrested in Esfahanon 22 February, 2012, at 7:00 a.m. Intelligence officers of Esfahan introduced themselves as agents of the Electricity Company. As the door was opened they invaded Mr Jafari’s home and arrested him. As usual they carefully searched his entire house, taking many of his personal belongings including his laptop, phone cards, books, CDs and even children's cartoons.
Pray: for the peace of God for Mr Jafari, his wife and three-year-old son, pray also for His protection and swift release. (Jer.30:16-17)
Kurdistan: Plans to review Christian schools
A Christian in Erbil writes, ‘If you have not yet heard there was a tragic shooting incident in Sulaimaniyah School of the Medes last week - a student killed an American teacher and then himself. Now it seems the issue is having larger influence on the Christian work here. Please find the following article about these discussions and pray that the present freedom could continue.’ Aknews reported, ‘The killing of an American private school teacher by one of his students has prompted calls for the revision of program modules at the Christian Medes School in Sulaimaniyah. The Kurdistan Teachers Union believes that the murder-suicide was motivated by religious reasons and the student was agitated by the school promoting Christianity. We have information which confirms that in some private schools in Erbil, Sulaimaniyah and Duhok cities, a certain religion or sect (Christianity) is being promoted in a mainly Muslim country like Kurdistan.
Pray: the Ministry of Education would prevent further incidents while maintaining a Christian presence in the education system. (Ps.20:1-2)
More: http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/3/293682
Lebanon: Syrian Christians fleeing to Lebanon
1,000 Syrians are now fleeing the country daily for Lebanon. Pontifical Mission Societies in Lebanon expressed the Church’s response, ‘We have Christian families who have fled Syria from violence or the oppression of the regime. There are families who have relatives in Lebanon who have fled here and want to change their lives looking for work. The Church's response in Lebanon has been hospitality and care of these people. We host them in parishes, provide food and clothing, assist them at an economic level and insert them into the social fabric. As a Church we reiterate that we are against violence, we want to promote peace and encourage dialogue. As for the Christians, the danger that looms is a scenario like Iraq, where Christians are forced to flee the country. The risk is that a dictatorial regime is replaced with an Islamist type which imposes the Sharia.’
Pray: God’s provision for those in desperate fear, leaving behind everything as they look for new beginnings. (Jos.1:9)
More: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=13580
Afghanistan: Update
A believer writes, ‘Demonstrations and bombs sparked by the burning of Holy Books continue. Please pray no more people will be killed or injured. Pray for the families of those who have been killed. Pray for the recovery of those who have been injured. Pray for understanding on both sides so this kind of incident will not happen again. Many foreigners live, work and serve the people of the land distributing food and clothing, teaching classes, training medical workers and leaders, drilling wells, providing medical care and much more to improve the lives of the people. They live and work in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions and must fight against greed and corruption to help the people who are truly needy. Their lives are difficult, they continue because it is what God has called them to do. Pray for Christian workers and their families to be protected in dangerous situations.
Pray: that they will receive the support and finances they need to continue, and for their lives to be a demonstration of God’s love to the people they serve. (Deut.31:6)
Dear Friends, please join us in observing the Global Day of Prayer for Burma: March 11, 2012. The Day of Prayer magazine is now available to be downloaded in English, Russian, Danish, and Thai languages. For more information, please go to www.prayforburma.org.
Christians Concerned for Burma