Lebanon: Saudi Arabia no longer mediating
Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia has ceased being a mediator in Lebanon’s political crisis. This decision means a key US ally won't be involved in efforts to ease tensions in a dangerous situation. Many fear the political crisis could lead to street protests and violence that have been the scourge of Lebanon for years, including the1975-1990 civil war and sectarian battles between Sunnis and Shiites in 2008. According to Lebanon's current power-sharing system, the President must be a Christian Maronite, the Prime Minister a Sunni and the parliament speaker a Shiite. Each faith makes up about a third of Lebanon's population of 4 million. Lebanon’s political crisis stems from a UN court investigating the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. The Iranian and Syrian sponsored Shiite group, accused of being behind the assignation deny any role in Hariri's killing. They also caused the collapse of Lebanon's Western-backed government last week. See Observers say, ‘the undeniable reality is that the Iranian-sponsored Shia Islamist movement is the strongest force in the country and will remain.’ Pray: that a peaceful co-existence will be established and maintained in Lebanon. (Da.2:21-22) More: http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=204313
Sri Lanka: Slow response to flood victims
Survivors of Sri Lanka’s massive flood affecting over half a million people from heavy monsoon rains last week protested at a government office in the eastern part of the country over slow food aid. More than 1,000 people surrounded the office in the village of Ariyampathy in Batticaloa district and smashed windows, accusing officials of mismanaging relief supplies. Victims accused local politicians of giving food to their supporters rather than distributing supplies fairly. At least 5,000 homes have been washed away and more than 200,000 acres of crops are under water. The country has not yet recovered from last year's record rainfalls that brought severe flooding and now they are battling the same thing again. The top UN official of humanitarian affairs, Catherine Bragg, will visit Sri Lanka to access flood damages. Pray: for flood victims here and in other countries devastated by rain will receive all they need quickly and are supported appropriately to rebuild their lives. (Ps.29:10) More: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20110118/sri-lanka-flood-victims-protest-over-slow-food-aid/
Pakistan: Persecution
Pakistani police are threatening the father of 18-year-old Waqas Gill, a Christian man whom officers raped, killed and threw into a sewer, according to area Christians. The victim’s father said four Muslim policemen abducted his son without a warrant and without making any charges. Local Christian protestors said Muslim policemen unduly delayed an autopsy to protect fellow officers, on the assumption that Christians were socially and financially weak in the predominantly Sunni Islamic country. An autopsy was eventually undertaken and showed Gill was subjected to sexual assault, tortured, shot dead with police revolver bullets and thrown into a waste drainage line. Sources said at least six other area Christian youths had been similarly killed. Pray: for an end to distorting the law, the corruption of law enforcers and the misuse of religious text to justify acts of extremism. (Ps.19:7-9) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/31466/
Iran: Prayer needed now for Christians being interrogated
Since last weeks report on the arrested Christians at Christmas there has been no further contact from the detainees. It is almost certain they are in interrogation in Block 209 in the basement of Evin Prison, Tehran. Block 209 is where other believers have been taken for horrendous interrogation. The arrested are blindfolded, questioned by different officers for hours on end, returned to their cells, and then called again; this can go on for over a month. Whenever they leave their cells, they are blindfolded. Intense psychological pressure is put on them to renounce their faith. There are many reports of prisoners in this block being tortured. During the time of interrogation no contact with family members is allowed. Iranian churches held a day of prayer and fasting for Christian prisoners last Sunday and encourage us all to persevere in intercession for the suffering church in Iran. Pray: for God's power to be revealed through these believers' ordeal, making them strong spiritually, emotionally and physically. (Gal.2:20&Ps.29:11)
INSIGHT: Tunisia's upheaval
Prime Minister Ghannouchi is expected to make concessions as he forms a government. It is unclear how many ministers will attend a meeting scheduled for next Wednesday when they attempt to salvage the fracturing ‘unity’ cabinet. We can pray that the changes will appease the discontented opposition. We can also pray for this government to disregard corrupt values and respond appropriately to the people on the streets. Ghannouchi has been prime minister since 1999. He insisted all the ministers chosen for the new government would have clean hands in addition to great competence. Meanwhile Moncek Marzouki a 65-year-old medical doctor and human rights activist and previous Tunisian political leader has returned from more than 20 years of exile in France to a joyful reception from supporters at Tunis airport. see: Pray: for an ambitious programme of democratic reform that is broadly compatible with Christian human values. (1Tim.2:1-5)
Nepal: Sharing God’s love
Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu is an urban melting pot of people, cultures, entertainment attractions and commerce, surrounded by the majestic Himalaya Mountains. Several Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries serve as pastors in and around the Kathmandu area and it is their desire to share the love of Jesus with as many people in the city as possible. Knowing that only a small percentage of the city’s residents will ever visit their churches, these pastors plan periodic outings to different parts of the city to share the love of Jesus with the people. The group, comprised of 12 pastors, talk to people out walking, in the shops and in public gathering areas. They spend many hours handing out Gospel tracts and New Testaments. They take time to pray with those who shared their life’s problems. Many people also wanted to know more about Christ, and the missionaries were able to tell them about the love of God. Praise: God for the Gospel for Asia pastors as they share His Word and their testimonies. (Jn.17:20-21)
Nepal: Sharing God’s love
Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu is an urban melting pot of people, cultures, entertainment attractions and commerce, surrounded by the majestic Himalaya Mountains. Several Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries serve as pastors in and around the Kathmandu area and it is their desire to share the love of Jesus with as many people in the city as possible. Knowing that only a small percentage of the city’s residents will ever visit their churches, these pastors plan periodic outings to different parts of the city to share the love of Jesus with the people. The group, comprised of 12 pastors, talk to people out walking, in the shops and in public gathering areas. They spend many hours handing out Gospel tracts and New Testaments. They take time to pray with those who shared their life’s problems. Many people also wanted to know more about Christ, and the missionaries were able to tell them about the love of God. Praise: God for the Gospel for Asia pastors as they share His Word and their testimonies. (Jn.17:20-21)
Signs of hope for Christian unity
The 2011 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity marks the beginning of an encouraging year for the ecumenical movement in Britain, the Student Christian Movement (SCM) said today (11 January). They revealed that they are expecting another record turn-out for their annual conference, which will involve an ecumenical exploration of prayer, and the links between prayer and action. The Week of Prayer will run from 18-25 January and is closely followed by SCM’s Annual Conference, Still Small Voice, which runs over the weekend of 4-6 February at the Swanwick conference centre in Derbyshire. ‘We are really encouraged by the revival of interest in inclusive, ecumenical Christianity,’ said Jenny Morgans, chair of SCM's student council. ‘Over the past year we have had requests for advice and support from students keen to establish ecumenical student groups,’ explained Morgans, ‘conference is a great opportunity for students from different backgrounds to meet and explore their faith together’ Praise: God for the work of the SCM and the message of unity. (Ro.12:4-5)
Signs of hope for Christian unity
The 2011 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity marks the beginning of an encouraging year for the ecumenical movement in Britain, the Student Christian Movement (SCM) said today (11 January). They revealed that they are expecting another record turn-out for their annual conference, which will involve an ecumenical exploration of prayer, and the links between prayer and action. The Week of Prayer will run from 18-25 January and is closely followed by SCM’s Annual Conference, Still Small Voice, which runs over the weekend of 4-6 February at the Swanwick conference centre in Derbyshire. ‘We are really encouraged by the revival of interest in inclusive, ecumenical Christianity,’ said Jenny Morgans, chair of SCM's student council. ‘Over the past year we have had requests for advice and support from students keen to establish ecumenical student groups,’ explained Morgans, ‘conference is a great opportunity for students from different backgrounds to meet and explore their faith together’ Praise: God for the work of the SCM and the message of unity. (Ro.12:4-5)
Sudan: Turnout vote passes 60%
By Wednesday nearly 2.3 million voters had cast ballots in the Sudan referendum vote with more than 60 percent of registered voters, this volume of turnout has gone beyond the threshold needed for the vote to be valid if it creates the new country of Southern Sudan as expected. We are encouraged to continue to pray for a peaceful outcome to the referendum. See The result will be announced February 14th and should there be a split the new country would be declared in July. An independent south would control almost 80 percent of Sudan’s oil production of 490,000 barrels a day, the third- biggest in sub-Saharan Africa, enabling the new country to begin to alleviate the current levels of poverty. Pray: for God’s blessing on His people in Sudan and for Him to protect the area from devices of the enemy. (Pr.16:3)