Egypt: Christians under threat from Muslim Brotherhood
Egyptian Coptic Christians living in the United States sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton imploring her to take more action against the ‘crime against humanity’ facing the Christian population in Egypt from the Muslim Brotherhood.’ Monir Dawoud, head of the American Coptic Association said, ‘The radical Muslim Brotherhood was attempting to annihilate Christians and other religious minorities in the country.’ Dawoud called for a guarantee of rights for all minorities to be included in the new constitution after Egypt's new government is elected in less than three weeks, and that aid to Egypt be conditional on the country's justice toward Christians and minorities. The letter states, ‘The Muslim Brotherhood is waging what it calls 'civilization jihad' against the United States and other freedom-loving countries in order to secure their submission to the Islamic totalitarian political-military-legal doctrine called Sharia.’ Repeated calls to stem the popularity of the Muslim Brotherhood have been heard in Congress.
Pray: Egypt’s government would choose to take a balanced attitude towards Christian minorities allowing them to openly follow Jesus Christ. (Ps.85:12-13)
Afghanistan: Taliban
A survey of 6,348 Afghans by the Asia Foundation between July 2nd and August 11th showed support for the Taliban dramatically declined over the last two years from 56% to 29%.This is coupled with a high level of support for the government's reconciliation and negotiation efforts with armed opposition groups. Nevertheless on Wednesday three coalition service members were killed as a result of two separate bomb blasts on the first day of a three-day loya jirga in Kabul, (a grand assembly of more than 2,000 delegates from around the country to discuss Afghanistan's future relationship with the United States. It also includes talks about possible negotiations with the Taliban.) On Monday, a Taliban spokesman strongly condemned the loya jirga, fueling fears of Afghan officials and those attending the loya jirga that the militant group may be planning attacks to disrupt it.
Pray: that God will enable Afghanistan to continue to develop a safe environment, children’s education, clean drinking water and well equipped clinics and hospitals. (Ps.68:1-3)
Sudan: Troops bomb refugees fleeing persecution
The Sudanese military are accused of dropping five bombs on the Yida refugee camp in Unity State, South Sudan where 20,000 refugees escaping violence and persecution are housed. The camp is home to people from the Nuba Mountains where northern troops are targeting groups considered 'disloyal' to the northern regime. The Nuba people are mainly Christian and northern President Omar al-Bashir vowed to enforce strict Sharia or Islamic law across Sudan when South Sudan became an independent nation in July. Christians in the Yida camp told the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that they are being targeted and pastors reported churches being burnt and looted, and soldiers killing Christians for being 'enemies of Islam'. One of the bombs landed in a schoolyard, but failed to explode. 300 children were in class at the time.
Pray: for all affected by persecution and destruction of property to know God’s peace and have their prayers answered. (Ps.4:3)
Iran: Fears for condemned pastor’s welfare
Compass Direct News reports that the mistreatment of Youcef Nadarkhani, amounts to physical and psychological torture, a source close to the pastor's family said. An Iranian church member said that communication with Nadarkhani is limited, but sources close to the imprisoned Christian indicate he has undergone physical and psychological torture. ‘Certainly he was hit, his telephone conversations are heard by authorities’ the source said, adding he has been in extreme situations spending time in a solitary cell unable to talk to others for long times and also is told he will be killed. Visitors to Youcef have seen evidence of torture, adding ‘long periods of solitary confinement can cause mental trauma, although we have not seen any evidence in Youcef of being in a bad mental state.’
Pray: for God’s Holy Spirit to continue to protect Youcef’s mind. Pray also for his speedy release despite not recanting his faith. (Heb.10:35)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/fears.for.welfare.of.iranian.pastor.facing.execution/28898.htm
Bible verses on Christmas stamps
Bible chapter and verse references have been printed on the face of this year’s Christmas stamps, unveiled by Royal Mail to mark 400 years of the King James Version of the Bible. The series of seven stamps feature Bible references taken from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The stamps also include pictures of nativity scenes. Royal Mail, which alternates between religious and secular themed stamps each Christmas, released the new designs last week. Stephen Agar from Royal Mail said: ‘Christmas stamps help deliver festive messages of good cheer and celebration across the UK and around the world. This year’s stamps feature scenes from the Nativity, together with the Gospel references from the King James Bible which inspired them.’
Praise: God that the message of His Word will be seen on all our mail this Christmas. (Ps.18:30)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/royal-mail-reveals-nativity-stamps/
Bible verses on Christmas stamps
Bible chapter and verse references have been printed on the face of this year’s Christmas stamps, unveiled by Royal Mail to mark 400 years of the King James Version of the Bible. The series of seven stamps feature Bible references taken from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The stamps also include pictures of nativity scenes. Royal Mail, which alternates between religious and secular themed stamps each Christmas, released the new designs last week. Stephen Agar from Royal Mail said: ‘Christmas stamps help deliver festive messages of good cheer and celebration across the UK and around the world. This year’s stamps feature scenes from the Nativity, together with the Gospel references from the King James Bible which inspired them.’
Praise: God that the message of His Word will be seen on all our mail this Christmas. (Ps.18:30)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/royal-mail-reveals-nativity-stamps/
Indonesia: House church planting among Muslims
The Muslim world is complex. But from the teeming cities of Southeast Asia to the tribal villages of Central Africa to the arid deserts of the Middle East, there is a common denominator in how God is working to draw people to Himself. Mission organization Pioneers launched a video series that tells the story of what indigenous church planting looks like in the Muslim world. The first one is about a city in Indonesia where small groups of Muslim seekers and new believers are gathering to study the Bible, pray and then put their faith in action. In the face of persecution, spiritual warfare and poverty, Jesus is building His church.
Praise: God that His Church continues to grow despite the difficulties. (2Th.2:14)
More: http://www.pioneers.org/multiply/indonesia.aspx
Indonesia: House church planting among Muslims
The Muslim world is complex. But from the teeming cities of Southeast Asia to the tribal villages of Central Africa to the arid deserts of the Middle East, there is a common denominator in how God is working to draw people to Himself. Mission organization Pioneers launched a video series that tells the story of what indigenous church planting looks like in the Muslim world. The first one is about a city in Indonesia where small groups of Muslim seekers and new believers are gathering to study the Bible, pray and then put their faith in action. In the face of persecution, spiritual warfare and poverty, Jesus is building His church.
Praise: God that His Church continues to grow despite the difficulties. (2Th.2:14)
More: http://www.pioneers.org/multiply/indonesia.aspx
CMS looks for next leader
The Church Mission Society has begun its search for a new Executive Director. It is asking supporters to pray as it seeks a successor to current leader the Rev Canon Tim Dakin, who has been appointed as the next Bishop of Winchester. The recruitment process for Community Leader and Executive Director is being overseen by Martyn Snow, Vice-chair of Trustees. The agency, founded in 1799, is looking for ‘an extraordinary individual’ who is ‘a spiritually mature, committed Christian, passionate about mission and prayer, who can be a compelling role model for the evangelical ideals, ethos and values of CMS’. Mr Snow said the appointment panel had received lots of feedback from supporters about the role. ‘I am therefore writing to ask for your continued prayers for the process,’ he wrote in a message to supporters. Christians are being invited to pray each Friday at noon until the new appointment is made.
Pray: for God to raise up the right person for this important post (Nu.16:5)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/cms.looks.for.next.leader/28948.htm
Act now on problem gambling
A substantial increase in problem gambling in the last four years is unacceptable and needs urgent action, a group of national churches told parliament last week. On Tuesday, 22 November, the Salvation Army, Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs, the Methodist Church, the Evangelical Alliance and CARE (Christian Action, Research and Education) gave evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee inquiry into gambling. In their contribution to a parliamentary inquiry on gambling, church groups will tell the select committee that the government must take action on child gambling, the clustering of betting shops and funding independent research, education and treatment. The 2010 prevalence study showed that the number of problem gamblers in the UK has jumped by 50 per cent to around 450,000 since 2007. James North, public issues policy adviser for the Methodist Church in Britain, commented: ‘The figures speak for themselves: problem gambling is on the rise. But the government seems determined to liberalise gambling laws.
Pray: for all those affected by gambling d for the Government to take a more realistic view of the problem. (Ec.5:10)
More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=545