Iraq: Christians flee after 14 car bombs
A series of strategically placed car bombs claimed the lives of 63 people in Baghdad, leaving many wondering about the security of the nation. With American troops now out of Iraq, many fear sectarian violence could erupt into civil war. Greg Mussleman with Voice of the Martyrs, Canada recently returned from Iraq where he met with Christians. ‘Their fear was that this was going to happen,' he shares. ‘They were just waiting for the American troops to leave.’ While many reports indicate things are better in Iraq, Mussleman doesn't expect that to be the case in Baghdad, Mosul, and Basra. Many Christians left these cities for safer areas.
Pray: against civil war in Iraq and for God’s provision and purposes for Iraq at this time, pray for believers to know God’s protection and may He give them courage. (Is.31:1-3)
More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=38592&PN=1&TPN=1
Houses of Prayer across Wales
There is a rising tide of prayer across Wales as His children seek His face for our nation. There seems to be a buzz in the air as stories are arising across Wales of God doing wonderful things in peoples' lives. Beautiful testimonies are emerging, Jesus is being glorified and the Holy Spirit seems to be moving in every corner of the nation. House of Prayer Ffald-y-Brenin cannot cope with the number of visitors coming to pray and has given up trying, so that Bed and Breakfasts are full of those who come up to pray during the daytime. People are pouring in from around the world then leave carrying increased blessing. Elsewhere across Wales people are suddenly finding that the simplest prayers suddenly lead them into the very presence of our life-changing God. Home-based Houses of Prayer are multiplying, both singly and in networks. 24-hour Prayer is being raised up across the land.
Praise: God and may His Glory cover all of Wales as the waters cover the sea. (Hab.3:2)
More: http://www.prayer4wales.net/
Houses of Prayer across Wales
There is a rising tide of prayer across Wales as His children seek His face for our nation. There seems to be a buzz in the air as stories are arising across Wales of God doing wonderful things in peoples' lives. Beautiful testimonies are emerging, Jesus is being glorified and the Holy Spirit seems to be moving in every corner of the nation. House of Prayer Ffald-y-Brenin cannot cope with the number of visitors coming to pray and has given up trying, so that Bed and Breakfasts are full of those who come up to pray during the daytime. People are pouring in from around the world then leave carrying increased blessing. Elsewhere across Wales people are suddenly finding that the simplest prayers suddenly lead them into the very presence of our life-changing God. Home-based Houses of Prayer are multiplying, both singly and in networks. 24-hour Prayer is being raised up across the land.
Praise: God and may His Glory cover all of Wales as the waters cover the sea. (Hab.3:2)
More: http://www.prayer4wales.net/
Nepal: Churches overflow this year’s Christmas celebrations
More than 2,000 people, including hundreds of non-Christians, attend mass in Kathmandu’s Assumption Cathedral. For the first time, the service was held with open doors despite the danger of attacks. This year’s Christmas celebrations were the largest in the country’s history, Christian leaders said. Thousands of non-Christians attended mass in the country’s Catholic and Protestant churches. A crowd of more than 2,000 people came to mass at Assumption Cathedral in Lalitpur District, Mgr Anthony Sharma, bishop of Kathmandu, said. The building was the target of a terrorist attack some time ago. Although the building can only hold up to 1,000 people, many followed the service outside, the prelate said. Security guards were forced to keep the doors open; they had been kept closed in recent years because of the danger of attacks.
Praise: God for this amazing celebration and gathering of His people. (Ps.135:1-2)
Nepal: Churches overflow this year’s Christmas celebrations
More than 2,000 people, including hundreds of non-Christians, attend mass in Kathmandu’s Assumption Cathedral. For the first time, the service was held with open doors despite the danger of attacks. This year’s Christmas celebrations were the largest in the country’s history, Christian leaders said. Thousands of non-Christians attended mass in the country’s Catholic and Protestant churches. A crowd of more than 2,000 people came to mass at Assumption Cathedral in Lalitpur District, Mgr Anthony Sharma, bishop of Kathmandu, said. The building was the target of a terrorist attack some time ago. Although the building can only hold up to 1,000 people, many followed the service outside, the prelate said. Security guards were forced to keep the doors open; they had been kept closed in recent years because of the danger of attacks.
Praise: God for this amazing celebration and gathering of His people. (Ps.135:1-2)
Germany: 4,000 new Jesus followers
Four years ago a grassroots mission movement was ignited among young people in Germany under the name ‘No Limit’. Since then 7,000 Christians have been mobilized to reach out to non-believers and 4,000 new people started following Jesus. Many healings happened on the streets, like a 15-year old who saw a blind person see again. A young teenager prayed with a paralyzed man who was completely healed. A team prayed in a hospital for a woman battling cancer; a short time later the Physician declared her completely healed. This Winter evangelism outreaches take place in over one hundred cities around the world. A large Summer2Go outreach is in preparation for 2012.
Praise: God for the growth of this mission movement among the young. (Lk.9:6)
More: http://nl.thull-hosting.de/index.php?id=4&L=1
Germany: 4,000 new Jesus followers
Four years ago a grassroots mission movement was ignited among young people in Germany under the name ‘No Limit’. Since then 7,000 Christians have been mobilized to reach out to non-believers and 4,000 new people started following Jesus. Many healings happened on the streets, like a 15-year old who saw a blind person see again. A young teenager prayed with a paralyzed man who was completely healed. A team prayed in a hospital for a woman battling cancer; a short time later the Physician declared her completely healed. This Winter evangelism outreaches take place in over one hundred cities around the world. A large Summer2Go outreach is in preparation for 2012.
Praise: God for the growth of this mission movement among the young. (Lk.9:6)
More: http://nl.thull-hosting.de/index.php?id=4&L=1
Charities say holiday giving has been happy
By last week many charities had already raised more compared with 2010, and some are even expecting a windfall, a new Chronicle of Philanthropy poll finds. Fifty-four percent told The Chronicle that they raised more money in November and the first part of December than they had at this point last year. One out of five of the 152 organizations in the survey said contributions are outpacing last year’s donations by 20 percent or more. That is one reason many groups expect 2011 to end well. Six out of 10 charities predicted they would close out the year with an overall gain in donations. ‘Things are looking very strong,’ says Traci Coker, director of the World Vision Gift Catalogue. ‘We’re slightly ahead of last year right now.’ Some social-service charities that have worked to do a better job telling their stories are also seeing success.
Praise: God for the generosity of spirit demonstrated across the world at this time. (Ps.150:6)
Charities say holiday giving has been happy
By last week many charities had already raised more compared with 2010, and some are even expecting a windfall, a new Chronicle of Philanthropy poll finds. Fifty-four percent told The Chronicle that they raised more money in November and the first part of December than they had at this point last year. One out of five of the 152 organizations in the survey said contributions are outpacing last year’s donations by 20 percent or more. That is one reason many groups expect 2011 to end well. Six out of 10 charities predicted they would close out the year with an overall gain in donations. ‘Things are looking very strong,’ says Traci Coker, director of the World Vision Gift Catalogue. ‘We’re slightly ahead of last year right now.’ Some social-service charities that have worked to do a better job telling their stories are also seeing success.
Praise: God for the generosity of spirit demonstrated across the world at this time. (Ps.150:6)
Philippines: Flash floods death toll nears 1000
Flooding in the southern Philippines last Friday was caused by tropical storm Washi which dropped a month's worth of rain in 24 hours. Since then aid agencies have delivered body bags, food, water and medicine to over-crowded evacuation centres as officials dig temporary mass graves for bodies that are already in advanced decomposition. The country is in a state of national calamity. Most of the damage was in the southern port cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Officials report a shortage of water and food for almost 50,000 homeless people. About 143,000 people were affected in 13 southern and central provinces.
Pray: for God to work through Aid agencies, for Christians to know God's peace and to demonstrate Christ’s love to suffering neighbours.