African Christians pray for US revival
Tens of thousands of African Christians gathered to pray for a spiritual awakening in the U.S. The Africa Prays for America event drew an estimated 50,000 believers to the National Mall in Washington, D.C.and was hosted by the African Strategic Leadership Prayer Network (ASLPN), a coalition of African church leaders in the U.S. and abroad. ASLPN leaders say, the United States has been sending missionaries to Africa for a long time and now African Christians have returned the favour. ‘We recognize that America desperately needs revival, and if there's one thing Africa can give and do for America, it's to pray,’ says Bishop Darlingston Johnson from Liberia. Praise: God for the thousands of African believers sent to America on a missionary journey and join them in the cry for a spiritual shift and new awakening in America. (Eph.5:14) More: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/news/29393-african-christians-to-pray-for-us-revival-
Welcomed back to Church
There were around 6,500 more people in Baptist churches on September 27, according to figures collated from reports on the day. The Big Welcome, or Back to Church Sunday, saw at least 475 Baptist churches taking part, with an average of 13.7 extra attendees. A quarter of those taking part had not done so before. If, as in previous years, around 12 per cent of those attending decide to become regular worshippers, this translates to another 780 people becoming part of Baptist churches. The Revd Ian Bunce, head of the Baptist Union of Great Britain's mission department, said that the event had gone very well. 'A number of churches have been surprised at how successful it has been,' he said. 'People are now saying that they need to put these principles into the everyday lives of their congregations, rather than leaving it to a particular Sunday.' (See also Prayer Alert 3710) Praise: God for all those who have returned to Church and may the principles of Welcome Back become part of everyday Church. (Heb.10:25)
Welcomed back to Church
There were around 6,500 more people in Baptist churches on September 27, according to figures collated from reports on the day. The Big Welcome, or Back to Church Sunday, saw at least 475 Baptist churches taking part, with an average of 13.7 extra attendees. A quarter of those taking part had not done so before. If, as in previous years, around 12 per cent of those attending decide to become regular worshippers, this translates to another 780 people becoming part of Baptist churches. The Revd Ian Bunce, head of the Baptist Union of Great Britain's mission department, said that the event had gone very well. 'A number of churches have been surprised at how successful it has been,' he said. 'People are now saying that they need to put these principles into the everyday lives of their congregations, rather than leaving it to a particular Sunday.' (See also Prayer Alert 3710) Praise: God for all those who have returned to Church and may the principles of Welcome Back become part of everyday Church. (Heb.10:25)
Chile: Two Chilean miners accept Christ
As I’m sure most of the world knows, 33 Chilean miners have been rescued having been trapped underground for more than two months, waiting to be rescued. God has heard our prayers. Lots of prayers from lots of people! Baptist Press News reports that when the mine collapsed, three of the miners - including José Henríquez who has been leading a Bible study underground - were Christians. Since then, two more have made professions of faith. The report notes that when Pastor Marcelo Leiva arrived at Camp Hope he didn't know anyone, but Henríquez's family quickly connected him with other families. ‘That connection allowed a lot of other people to hear the Word,’ Leiva says, ‘and to know that in the midst of this catastrophe, God is in control, and it is the Lord who has kept their family members alive.’ The wife of one of the miners who became a Christian met with Leiva over the past two weeks has also accepted Christ. Praise: God for the success of this rescue mission and for the new believers and pray that the experience will bring many more to accept the Lord as saviour. (Ps.22:5) More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=34420&PN=1&TPN=1
Chile: Two Chilean miners accept Christ
As I’m sure most of the world knows, 33 Chilean miners have been rescued having been trapped underground for more than two months, waiting to be rescued. God has heard our prayers. Lots of prayers from lots of people! Baptist Press News reports that when the mine collapsed, three of the miners - including José Henríquez who has been leading a Bible study underground - were Christians. Since then, two more have made professions of faith. The report notes that when Pastor Marcelo Leiva arrived at Camp Hope he didn't know anyone, but Henríquez's family quickly connected him with other families. ‘That connection allowed a lot of other people to hear the Word,’ Leiva says, ‘and to know that in the midst of this catastrophe, God is in control, and it is the Lord who has kept their family members alive.’ The wife of one of the miners who became a Christian met with Leiva over the past two weeks has also accepted Christ. Praise: God for the success of this rescue mission and for the new believers and pray that the experience will bring many more to accept the Lord as saviour. (Ps.22:5) More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=34420&PN=1&TPN=1
World: Ecumenical leader reaches out to global Evangelicals
The head of the World Council of Churches has reached out to a global gathering of Evangelicals, saying Christians of different traditions need to learn from each other to participate together in God's mission. Rev Olav Fykse Tveit said ‘We are called to be one, to be reconciled, so that the world may believe that God reconciles the world to himself in Christ. This historic invitation is a sign that God has called all of us to the ministry of reconciliation and to evangelism.’ The WCC and the Lausanne Movement have often been seen as representing different strands of Christianity - the WCC being seen as focusing more on social action, and the Lausanne movement known for its promotion of evangelism. Pray: that the prayer of Jesus for His people to be united will be fulfilled at this time globally. (Jn.17:21-22)
Urgent Prayer Request: From YWAM Haiti
Haiti. We'd like to call people to prayer for our city and the countryside surrounding it. There seems to be an outbreak of some kind of a water-borne disease where people who contract it come down with severe diarrhea resulting in death within 24-48 hours. We do not have concrete numbers of how many have actually died to date, only scattered reports from Haitians seeking aid and purified water saying; ‘Many, Many, Many people are dead or sick!’ The hospital in St Marc is filling up with cases and our clinic down the road has been made ready for overflow. Pray: that God would hear our prayers and for a breakthrough by the health professionals to combat this outbreak. More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8326
Philippines: Super typhoon leaves 200,000 homeless
Typhoon Megi left a trail of destruction in the northern Philippines before gathering strength and heading towards China. Officials there said at least 200,000 people remained homeless with the cost to infrastructure estimated to have caused more than US$100 million in damages. The storm is described as the worst for many years. Taiwan's central government has mobilized 31,610 soldiers nationwide to be on alert as Typhoon Megi moves near the island on its way to China. In Southeast China hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from coastal areas, disaster relief authorities said on Thursday. Megi is forecast to make landfall on the east coast in Guangdong Province around Saturday, according to the Fujian Provincial Meteorological Department. Pray: that the thousands made homeless and injured by this typhoon would quickly receive exactly what is needed. (Ps.10:14)
Brazil: Drought
Brazil has extended emergency drought measures across the Amazon State as key waterways and rivers are completely parched in the worst drought in decades. The seven months drought has affected 40,000 people in communities depending on the rainforest for sustenance and the government has airlifted six tonnes of food and 200 tonnes of donations to 25 stricken villages. Aid delivery has been slow due to the low water levels in rivers preventing large vessels from navigating them, consequently transportation can only be done by canoe. In some places, people are running out of food and many people are suffering intestinal problems caused by poor water quality. The drought is an extreme weather event resulting from El Nino in late 2009 with its fallout being felt this year. Pray: for God to show entrepreneurs, farmers and governments His way forward as they work with the earth's resources. (Ps.65:9) More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/10/2010101704539981971.html
Iraq: Refugees regret returning
‘Most refugees who have returned to Iraq have since regretted their move after finding that they faced persistent threats to their security’ a UN refugee agency said on Tuesday. The survey found 34% said they were uncertain whether they would stay permanently in Iraq and would consider seeking asylum in neighbouring countries once again if conditions do not improve. Returnees highlighted instances of ‘explosions, harassment, military operations and kidnapping’ as evidence of the insecurity. But many also said they had been forced to return to Iraq because they could no longer afford the high cost of living in asylum countries. More than three-quarters of returnees did not go back to their original place of residence but sought shelter with their relatives, friends or rented other accommodation. Pray: that Christians in Iraq have opportunities to come alongside those searching for security and hope. (Jer.31:17)