Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed 10 Christians in three villages in Plateau State last week in what authorities called cattle-rustling. A visit to the home where eight were killed revealed the presence of no cows. A state official was quick to deny the attack was rooted in the ethno-religious violence that has convulsed the State. Military officials asserted that security forces recovered 20 cows and killed five of the rustlers in thwarting an attempted theft. However a news reporter found no evidence of cattle ownership there. Fulani Muslims also attacked the villages of Zatsitsa-Kudeson and Chehwyanang killing two Christians.

Pray: that the Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacking Christians will be brought to account for their crimes against the innocent. Pray also for accurate and unbiased reporting by the government, and all in position of authority. (Ps.90:15-17)

More: http://morningstarnews.org/2013/10/officials-in-nigeria-try-to-portray-slaughter-of-christian-family-as-cattle-theft/

Madagascar parents’ desire to send their children to school is strong. When President Tsiranana came to office in 2009 his main priorities were to reform primary education. It was conducted in a disorderly fashion leading to a dramatic reduction in teacher training and professional development for primary school teachers. As the demands for teachers grew, parents’ associations recruited unqualified children’s parents to teach. These teachers are called ‘FRAM teachers’. FRAM teachers now constitute about two-thirds of all primary teachers and the education system is failing. Teachers are insufficiently qualified, have received no or only very little training and face difficult working conditions. On Friday October 25th Madagascar holds its first presidential elections since the 2009 military coup. We can pray that this event will end years of political crisis that, amongst other things, has failed the education system. See also http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/22/us-madagascar-elections-idUSBRE97L0YE20130822

Pray: that the new government of Madagascar will ensure future primary school education prepares children for life and higher education through math, reading, and other diverse lessons. (Ps.72:3,4)

More: http://www.issa.int/Observatory/Good-Practices/Access-to-social-protection-for-community-teachers

On Tuesday Mayoral candidates in Jerusalem started the morning with prayers at the Western Wall. In Tel Aviv flyers calling for replacement of the incumbent mayor referred to him as 'Don' Huldai. On Tuesday Israelis voted for mayors and other local officials in 191 cities, towns and local authorities. In some areas votes were cast not on how well their municipality will be run but on how to ‘save’ Jewish women from the clutches of Arab men. While the far-right rise in Israeli national politics has made headlines, less attention has been paid to how this has played out in day-to-day relations between Israeli Jews and the country's Palestinian-Arab minority that comprises a fifth of the population. Israel's local elections have brought a tide of ugly racism to the fore, especially in a handful of communities known as ‘mixed cities’, where Jewish and Palestinian citizens live in close proximity.

Pray: against racist language and fear-mongering in Nazareth, Karmiel, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Galilee and wherever communities are segregated on an ethnic basis. (Is.9:1-3)

More: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/10/israel-elections-bring-racism-fore-2013102184217401251.html

An increase in violence against Christians in northern Iraq has increased the flow of Christians leaving the country. The north, generally considered a relatively safe area of the country, had become home for many Christians fleeing from the tumultuous central and southern regions. However, several bombings in the north in recent months have caused panic among the Christian community. On September 22nd a suicide bomb went off outside the home of a Christian politician in the Kirkuk province, injuring 19 people, including three children. Several bomb attacks have also taken place in the northern city of Erbil, for which Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility. In early September, Christians in the village of Deshtakh complained that they were facing harassment from local police. A group of Christian young people said that policemen told them that they ‘should not be in Iraq because it is Muslim territory’.

Pray: for the future of Christianity in this country and an end to the present trend of increased violence. (SoS.2:12)

More: http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2013/10/2763837/