On July 27th, 2009, “The Global Day of Repentance and Prayer for a Unified Korea”, God gave a vision and instruction concerning the necessity for mass, united demonstrations to arise for North Korean Liberation and Human Rights. He revealed in the days which followed that through a constant, united, mass demonstrative movement:
1. There would be Liberation and Redemption for the North Korean People (including An International Movement of Compensation and Re-imbursement for immeasurable Loss and Suffering)
2. Korea would be Unified (with Worldwide Support)
3. The Unified Korea will become truly Emancipated (freed from the influence/control of other nations)
4. There will be Profound Reconciliation between North and South Koreans (as a result of South Koreans demonstrating sacrificially and unitedly for their North Korean brothers and sisters)
Let’s pray in accord with this vision that it will happen soon!
Veronica Wisdom Conteh, a member of the IPC leadership team, reports that God is bringing transformation to her nation, one of the world’s poorest, through a succession of three 90-day prayer and fasting efforts from 2009-2011. President Earnest Bai Koroma has given strong support to this effort.
Based on Hosea 6:1-3, this prayer and repentance effort resulted in 80% of the paramount tribal chiefs, mayors and leaders responding to Christ’s call and convincing their people to participate. At the end of each 90-day effort, they have gathered at the national stadium and other stadiums to dedicate their nation to God. The President, Ministers, Parliamentarians and other national leaders have taken part, and God is answering with tangible effects in the realms of improved health, road construction, electricity, education, agricultural development, economic stability and the prosecution of corruption. For a detailed report, contact Veronica Conteh at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Praise the Lord for this wonderful testimony about the power of prayer and repentance to bring His help for holistic transformation of nations!
You are invited to join representatives from the 11 nations of SE Asia as they come together for the eighth time to seek the Lord for the transformation of their region. They will meet in Subic Bay, Philippines, one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities of the nation. Because of God’s grace and earnest intercession, it has been transformed from an area that was once both devastated by a volcanic eruption and also by its reputation as red-light district servicing the biggest military installation in the region. You can register now at http://seapc.net/registration.
According to an October 2 article from the Star newspaper in Malaysia, a global Islamic group that is now active in 45 countries is raising concerns around the world. Hizbut, which is now expanding in Asia, wants to unite all Muslim countries in a global bloc ruled by strict sharia law. It focuses its efforts on university students and professionals, trying to persuade them to overthrow their governments. The U.S. State Department says that the group “may indirectly generate support for terrorism”. Please pray for the dissolution of this network and that its members may encounter Jesus Christ and be set free from this harmful ideology.
Christmas snubbed by Scottish Government
The Scottish Government has come under fire for completely failing to mention Christmas in its ‘Winter Festivals’ programme. In an official news release the Government mentions St Andrew’s Day eleven times, Hogmanay five times and Burns Night several times. But Christmas is not mentioned at all. Bashir Mann, a prominent figure in Glasgow’s Muslim community, has criticised the omission of Christmas, saying: ‘This is political correctness gone mad. Why should we be offended? Scotland’s religious population is 98 per cent Christian. Why should they not be allowed to celebrate their biggest religious festival? If my neighbour is celebrating Christmas, then I should join him. That’s what my religion tells me.’ And John Deighan, parliamentary officer for the Roman Catholic Church of Scotland, described the omission as ‘disappointing and hurtful’.
Pray: that the protests by the Church and others would lead to the reinstatement of Christmas as central to the nations beliefs. (Job11.4:5)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christmas-snubbed-by-scottish-government/
Problems continue for St Paul’s as protesters stay put
Problems continue for St Paul’s as protesters stay put. Anti-capitalist protesters forced the cathedral to close its doors to the public for the first time in 72 years. St Paul’s Cathedral is considering taking out an injunction to remove hundreds of anti-capitalist protesters occupying the churchyard. The cathedral has been in talks about legal action with the City of London Corporation. Around 300 protesters have gathered outside the cathedral in the last 10 days since the Occupy Wall Street demonstration went global. They continue to defy requests by St Paul’s to leave voluntarily, despite their presence forcing the cathedral to close its doors to the public for the first time since World War II. The cathedral, situated in London's financial district, is estimated to be losing around £16,000 every day in lost tourism income – revenue that is vital to the upkeep of the building. The cathedral reportedly turned away worshippers from services on Sunday. Only a scheduled wedding has taken place. The canon chancellor of St Paul's Dr Giles Fraser who has been sympathetic to the protest camp outside which has led to the cathedral's closure has resigned from his post.
Pray: that a just solution to these protests would be found. Pray that the Church would take this opportunity to witness to the protesters. (Mic.1:2)
Demoted for expressing views on marriage
A public sector employee in Manchester has been demoted after he posted comments on his private facebook page questioning the idea of homosexual ‘marriages’ taking place on religious premises. Adrian Smith, an employee of tax-payer
funded Trafford Housing Trust, posted a comment in response to a BBC news headline about civil partnerships taking place on religious premises, saying that this was an ‘equality too far.' The comment, written outside of working hours, appeared on his private page and could only be seen by Mr Smith’s friends. A work colleague posted a comment in reply, asking if Mr Smith disagreed with the government’s proposal. He responded, saying: ‘No, not really. I don’t understand why people who have no faith and don’t believe in Christ would want to get hitched in church. The Bible is quite specific that marriage is for men and women.'
Pray: for Christians everywhere that they would continue to speak out boldly for our Christian beliefs. (Ac.4:29)
Warning over religious persecution
Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe has accused the Government of double standards when it comes to religious and homosexual persecution abroad. Miss Widdecombe told a Christian charity's conference that Prime Minister David Cameron was threatening to cut aid to countries which persecuted gays but was not doing anything to help persecuted Christians. ‘If David Cameron is tough on governments which persecute gays, why can't he be tough on those who persecute Christians?’ she told the Aid to the Church in Need annual conference. ‘You stand a better chance of earnest representation if you are a hedgehog than if you are a persecuted Christian.’ Aid to the Church in Need claims 75% of all religious persecution in the world is directed against Christians with 105,000 killed every year for faith-related reasons.
Pray: that our Government would be wise in its judgements and speak out for all those who are persecuted. (1Pet.4:6)
Peer in bid to dismantle law on Christian assemblies
A Lib Dem peer in the House of Lords has tabled an amendment to remove the requirement for Christian worship in schools. Currently schools must have a daily act of collective worship. Collective worship must be ‘wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character.’ Parents can withdraw their children and teachers are also permitted to opt out. But now Lord Avebury, a Liberal Democrat peer, has tabled an amendment to end the requirement for collective worship in all schools apart from faith schools. Earlier this year a secularist campaign group said that Christian assemblies should be banned because they breach children’s human rights. The National Secular Society wrote to Education Secretary, Michael Gove, demanding that the law on Christian assemblies be abolished. But a spokesman for the Department for Education said the law on Christian assemblies ‘encourages pupils to reflect on the concept of belief and the role it plays in the traditions and values of this country.’ (See Prayer Alert 36-2011)
Pray: that this further challenge to our faith would be thwarted. (Pr.6:23)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/peer-in-bid-to-dismantle-law-on-christian-assemblies/
Church helping Scotland's poorest communities
The Church of Scotland has launched a radical new regeneration programme to boost some of the poorest parts of the country. The Chance to Thrive project will work with eight communities on development initiatives over the next five years. The Church says the onus of the project will be on the hopes of the people, rather than buildings. It wants to support local people in bringing about long-term change through their own ideas rather than ‘having ideas imposed from outside’. Communities will be supported by a panel of volunteers with relevant experience as entrepreneurs, community workers, business planners, artists and architects. It is hoped that the projects will lead to the development of major new and sustainable church-based community facilities. ‘Over the last decade the Church of Scotland has doubled its commitment to Scotland’s poorest neighbourhoods.’
Pray: that this move by the Church of Scotland would lead to long-term change to some of the neediest people. (Dt.15:11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.helping.scotlands.poorest.communities.thrive/28806.htm