Iraq: Christians targeted in Mosul blasts
Buses transporting mainly Christian university students from Hamdaniya to Mosul were the target of two bomb blasts earlier this week. The Mayor of Hamdaniya said, ‘All of the passengers were Christian students. They go in buses like that to Mosul's University after the troubled times when Christians were targeted in the past.’ A doctor at the hospital said at least 17 were critically injured. About 750,000 of Iraq's 30 million population are Christians. The US-based National Council of Churches have sent a letter to Hillary Clinton asking her to urge Iraqi officials to do more to protect Iraq's Christian community. ‘Our concern is now particularly acute because it is possible that tensions will increase as various political forces continue to vie for power following the recent elections. We fear that a growing climate of ,mistrust and animosity will further threaten the fragile Christian community’ the letter said. Attacks remain common, especially in Baghdad and Mosul.
Pray: for God’s people continually to experience an awe-inspiring sense of His presence in every circumstance. (Ps.18:16-17)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/05/201052113858638936.html
Somalia: Attacks on Christians spreading
Fighters of Somalia's feared Islamic militant group al-Shabab are killing Somali Christians as part of a crackdown on ‘non-Islamic culture.’ US based advocacy group International Christian Concern said three al-Shabab gunmen executed Mu’awiye Hilowle Ali at close range on Monday and he died on the spot in front of his house west of Mogadishu. See On Tuesday they killed Yusuf Ali Nur a leader of the underground church movement in Somalia who was on a list of people the Islamic extremists suspected of being Christian. Al Shabaab has links with al-Qaeda and has vowed to rid Somalia of Christianity. The latest deaths come after several executions of Somalis suspected of membership of a suppressed yet resilient underground faith movement in Somalia. A number of Christians have been beheaded by the radical Islamists out to topple the fledgling Transitional Federal Government and introduce a strict version of sharia law.
Pray: that the Christian Somali faith would be strengthened and grow, as the persecution and fear of death diminishes. (Ps.41:12)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/somalia/18721/
Afghanistan: Pastor wants to reach Taliban
Pasr Anwar Fazal Masih founder of Eternal Life Ministries International and Isaac TV ministries wants to take the message of Christ to the Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan. He believes this can be achieved if his Pakistan-based Isaac TV can transmit via satellite by August 2010. The setting up of Christian TV in Pakistan, a 170 million nuclear-armed nation, has been commended not only by the Christians of Pakistan but also by many Christian brothers and sisters abroad Meanwhile this Christian leader has called on the international community to keep its focus on the needs of the Afghan people after weeks of rancour between the US and Afghanistan as they try to agree on a democratic way forward after the election. Adding the acute poverty in Afghanistan had to be a ‘top priority’ for the international community and the Afghan government at the upcoming peace 'jirga' - or consultative assembly - and parliamentary elections. See
Pray: that God would use every resource, including technology, to release His love and purposes into the lives of the unreached. (Ps.47:8)
Pagan police get right to take festivals as holiday
Police officers have been given the right to take days off to dance naked on the solstices, celebrate fertility rituals and burn Yule logs if they profess pagan beliefs. The Pagan Police Association claimed yesterday that it had been recognised by the Home Office as a ‘diversity staff support association’ - a status also enjoyed by groups representing female, black, gay, Muslim and disabled officers. Endorsement would mean that chief constables could not refuse a pagan officer’s request to take feast days as part of his or her annual leave. The eight pagan festivals include Imbolc (the feast of lactating sheep), Lammas (the harvest festival) and the Summer Solstice (when mead drinking and naked dancing are the order of the day). Problematically, the pagan festivals also include Samhain (known to non-pagans as Hallowe’en), a day when police leave is often cancelled because of the high incidence of vandalism, violence and antisocial behaviour.
Pray: that the problems caused by all these diverse requests will not damage working relationships or effective policing.
(Pr.28:19)
Middle East: Reconciliation
This weekend Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation - who promote reconciliation among Palestinian and Israeli believers through the life and teachings of Jesus - are asking readers of Prayer Alert to pray for 40 Israeli and Palestinian young adult believers who are gathering in Cyprus to study one of the most controversial issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: historical narrative. Historical Narrative is often misunderstood, contradicted or denied. The young adults will pray, worship and study together and learn to enhance the body of the Messiah in the country. Please pray for their increased understanding among both the Israelis and Palestinians and that the two would be united in fellowship.
Pray: for unity between our precious brothers and sisters living amongst such animosity and division. (Ps.133)
More: http://www.musalaha.org/
Pakistan 2: Christians beaten and implicated in ‘fake’ police case
On Easter Sunday Christian families on their way to church were attacked by a gang of ‘radical local Muslim youths’ who hurled insults at them for being Christian and celebrating Easter. The men’s comments became ‘perverted’ towards the girls and women. A few Christian youths asked the men to stop mocking, then fighting broke out resulting in some Christians being critically injured and rushed to hospital. Ironically the Muslim men lodged a case with the police against ten of the Christian men and despite some of them being hospitalized with serious injuries they were arrested, charged, and jailed. Bail was granted on April 22nd. Well placed local sources requesting anonymity said, ‘rich, powerful and politically dominant radical Muslim men of the Faqira clan were hurling death threats and threats of dire consequences on the impoverished Christian families and the Christians were ‘still living under the shade of death of horror.’
Pray: for the Christian families to be strengthened emotionally and spiritually under the pain of unjust suffering. (1Pe.3:14)
Pakistan 1: Christians illegally arrested
Police detained three Christians on false charges of alcohol possession in Sialkot last week at the request of their Muslim employer. The men objected to their boss demanding they work on Sundays. The factory owner seemed to object to the crosses the Christians wore since they began work for him last year. He used to look at the cross with strange looks. Since February no one has been allowed to wear a cross at work. In March he began demanding that only the Christian employees come to work on Sundays. When two workers objected Factory owner Rana Ejaz promptly accused them of selling alcohol, which is forbidden to Muslims in Pakistan and illegal to sell without a permit. They were arrested, severely beaten and asked to give a false statement that they sold alcohol. The factory owner reportedly said, ‘I did all this on the advice of the SHO, Zulfiqar, so that I could terminate the Christian workers.’
Pray: that God would strengthen Pakistan’s Christians as they continue to demonstrate reason for the hope that they have in Jesus. (2Pe.1:2)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/19189/
Iraq: Al Qaeda attacks
Monday was the deadliest day of the year in Iraq. Almost 100 Iraqis were killed in a series of attacks.The violence started with drive-by shootings and bombings at security check points in Baghdad. Then two car bombs exploded and while people gathered to help the victims, a suicide bomber attacked the crowd outside a textile factory. One witness said, ‘Terrified people were running in different directions. I saw dead people, people burned and crying, wounded people on the ground that was covered with pools of blood. Dozens of wounded people asking for help were lying on the ground.’ The government is accusing Al Qaeda and the violence fuels growing fear over the country's political uncertainty. It's been two months since elections there and still no new government in sight. Meanwhile, the U.S. will pull out half of its troops over the next four months.
Pray: for God to remove all indecision and enable his choice of government and leadership to be established. (Ex.18:21)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/May/Almost-100-Iraqis-Killed-in-Deadliest-Day-of-the-Year/
Mental trauma 'not rife among UK troops'
Alcohol misuse is a problem among UK troops who have been in Afghanistan and Iraq, but serious mental disorders are not as common as feared, a study says. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) rates are low despite many deployments in foreign combat zones, a study in The Lancet based on 10,000 personnel found. They are significantly lower than those reported among US troops, it adds. The King's College research, funded by the MoD, said more emphasis should be placed on drinking problems than PTSD. Now the new Government is formed, the members of the Cabinet and their staffs will be selected. Please pray for the new Secretary of State for Defence, the new Ministers of State for the Armed Forces and Strategic Defence Acquisition Reform, together with the Under Secretaries of State. Pray too for good relationships between the Armed Forces’ Chiefs of Staff and the new government.
Pray: for all those who are suffering from PTSD or alcoholic problems following their deployment in combat zones. (1Tim. 2:2)
More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8677941.stm
China: Appeals for help from religious groups
The officially atheist Chinese government requested religious groups and people of faith to help with the rebuilding efforts in a northwest province ravaged by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake on April 14. In an open letter posted on its official Government website China asked the religious community to donate towards reconstruction in the Tibetan area of Yushu in Qinghai Province. The religious community has already donated over 86.9 million yuan, $12.7 million, for the quake-hit area. The Chinese hope Christian leaders and individual believers can make further donations. The letter also expressed appreciation for the prayers and immediate relief from religious organizations when at least 2,220 people were killed, over 12,000 injured and 100,000 left homeless. World Vision, Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Catholic Relief Services responded to the needs and are still there distributing aid. In recent years China has been more receptive to religion in society despite problems with religious freedom.
Pray: for more safe avenues of Christian activity in China and for many to step into open Christian witness as God alters the spirit over the nation. (Ro.10:14-15)