NIGERIA: School massacre
Secondary schools have been ordered to close across Nigeria's north-eastern state of Yobe after a massacre in which Boko Haram Islamist extremists torched Mamudo Boarding school killing 22 students. ‘Boko Haram’ translates as ‘Western education is forbidden’ and dozens of schools have been burned in attacks by them since 2010. Eyewitnesses said some victims were burned alive while others were shot as they fled. An Associated Press reporter found chaotic hospital scenes where traumatised parents struggled to identify their children among the charred bodies and gunshot victims. Survivors said suspected militants arrived with containers full of fuel and set fire to the school. Yobe Governor Ibrahim Gaidam condemned the ‘cold-blooded murder’ and ordered secondary schools to be closed until September to allow state and federal government officials plus community leaders to work towards guaranteeing school safety. He also asked the government to remove mobile phone signal blocks across the state as the lack of mobile communications prevents patriotic citizens from reporting suspicious movements in their neighbourhoods.
Pray: for God to comfort those who mourn and to bless those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.(Mat.5:3-10)
Global: Ramadan July 10 – August 7
The word Islam means ‘submission to the will of Allah’. Allah is the God of Islam. Members of Islam are called Muslims meaning ‘those who submit’. The purpose of the Ramadan season is to take Muslims away from their normal lifestyle and make them re-examine their life in the context of a higher ideal. For example, experiencing hunger makes you more aware of the poor. During Ramadan Muslims around the world face towards Mecca, the holiest city in Islam to pray five times a day. Today, and throughout Ramadan during your time of prayer, ask that God's spirit would descend upon all these people. During this season of Ramadan as Muslims seek the truth pray that they will know the True God. Pray also for Christians living in Saudi Arabia and other closed countries to embody the essence of God in their speech, actions and thoughts, allowing Him to be revealed to all. For a Ramadan prayer calendar go to: http://www.prayirannow.com/calendar/ramadan.html
Pray: that seekers will be found by the Alpha and the Omega of faith. (Rev.1:8a)
More: http://www.prayirannow.com/
Egypt: Morsi supporters attack Christians
Twelve hours after the military expelled Mohamed Morsi and his cabinet from office reports from scattered locations across Egypt of attacks against Christians by Morsi supporters began. Angry over what they saw as a coup hard-line Muslims attacked Christian homes, business and church buildings as part of nationwide protests culminating in a ‘Friday of rage.’ On Friday afternoon the national police notified church leaders to be on the lookout for license plate numbers of several cars that informants said terrorists had packed with explosives and were heading toward churches in Cairo and the surrounding area looking for targets. Christians across the country are uncertain about their future. Is the past week’s violence the start of a civil war in which they would be targeted as the Christians in Syria are targeted? Meanwhile the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Britain announced three days of prayer for Egypt's minority Coptic Christians. See http://www.bosnewslife.com/29427-egypt-christians-pray-after-massacre-amid-concerns-over-nations-future
Pray: for protection for those caught up in the confusion and violence in Egypt, pray that the turmoil would be short-lived and a workable government and constitution be agreed upon quickly. May this be a real moment of opportunity for Christians to share the gospel of peace with those around them. (Ps.4:6-8)
Lebanon: Car bomb inflames tensions
A car bomb injuring 53 people exploded Wednesday in Beirut, at a Lebanese stronghold for the Shia militant group Hezbollah. It’s feared several were killed. No group has claimed responsibility. Lebanon’s neighbouring Syrian rebels threatened to target Hezbollah because they sent troops to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The area of the blast is a commercial and residential site swelling with people. SAT-7 ARABIC is a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa that attracts 8.5 million teens and adults with a Christian worldview. Their studios in Lebanon posted on their Facebook page, ‘Please join us in praying for those affected by today's car bombing near Beirut. SAT-7 staff members are safe and the studio is secure.’ The car bombing smoke had barely cleared before nearly 100 angry Hezbollah supporters flooded the area shouting, ‘The Shiite blood is boiling.’ Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims mostly support the Syrian rebels while Shia Muslims in Lebanon back Assad.
Pray: against escalating tensions between the Sunni and Shia and for Christian ministries as they seeks to communicate the peace and truth of Jesus Christ amid turmoil. (Ps.20:1)
More: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/18738
Syria: Fighting overspills
On Tuesday explosions rocked the centre of Damascus and a car bomb went off in the Shi'ite quarter of Beirut. – see item 4 above. These events served as a reminder that Syria continues to bleed and the repercussions of the horrendous civil war are still being felt by neighbours. In the south of the Golan Heights near where Israel, Jordan and Syria meet, sits a UN outpost deserted by international observers months ago when the fighting between the Syrian army and extremist Sunni rebels escalated. The observers fled and the outpost is now held by a small group of armed Sunni extremists. From the Israeli side of the border you can easily spot them. When they're not fighting Assad's forces they spend their time in the small swimming pool abandoned by the UN soldiers. Some Israelis fear that sooner or later they might seek some other pastime on the western side of the fence and Syria’s internal violence will be reflected in tensions with Israel as Syria’s war overspills onto neighbouring borders.
Pray: that in the midst of turmoil and change - God’s purposes will be achieved in the Middle East. (Mat.16:18) Pray that Believers will know the reality of His peace. (Ps.29)
More: http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/tensions-in-syria-and-egypt-are-flaring-but-israel-s-responses-are-limited.premium-1.534876
Zimbabwe: Churches asked to pray for Zimbabwe
Tensions are rising as Zimbabwe nears its election (due on 31 July). Previous elections led to the economy collapsing, critical food shortages and violence. As July 31st approaches many fear the same may happen . There is conflict between the two leading parties the election date and political change might shake the country. Churches have been asked to pray for Zimbabwe, that peace and stability will be found in Zimbabwe and there would be no violence. The coalition government has brought some hope and the economy has slightly recovered, but there’s a widening gap between the rich and poor. The country is unstable. Churches have been asked to pray that Zimbabwe will reach a point where people are safe and not living in poverty. Evangelical Alliance Viva's patron Rev Stephen Gaukroger said, ‘We are calling on UK churches to make Zimbabwe a focus for prayer at this crucial time.’
Pray: against violence and fear and for peace and stability. Pray that the children can grow up knowing they have a future and a hope. (Ps.9:3-4)
More: http://www.eauk.org/church/stories/churches-asked-to-pray-for-zimbabwe.cfm
Pakistan: Attacks on Christian minority groups
Suspected Islamic militants attacked The Assembly of God (AoG) Pentecostal church in the Swati gate area of Peshwar north western Pakistan early on Friday amid heightened tensions over minorities in the region. Christians said the two attackers tried to enter the building where pastors gathered for a refresher training course. They were stopped by a police guard who was shot three times and died at the scene. They then took his gun, fired at the AoG church building and fled. Christians said the attack followed threats against the AoG prompting local authorities to send two police officers to the church for security. But there was only one on duty during Friday's attack. He’s the latest casualty in an on-going ‘war against terror’ in the province where over 22,000 people have been killed in the past five years. Islamic militants, who rights activists claim have links to government officials, often described Christianity as a ‘Western religion’ and accused Christians of having ties to ‘Western occupiers.’
Pray: against a culture of state sponsored Islam and social and legal repression of Christianity. Pray also that God will protect and sustain Christians. (Ps.140:4-7-8)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/12480-pakistan-militants-attack-pentecostal-church-1-killed
Police Facing 'Serious Drag' On Morale
A string of scandals and budget cuts have left police morale and public confidence at an "all time low", says the Police Minister. Damien Green said recent allegations involving the improper behaviour of the police have had a "really serious drag" on serving officers as well as harming public confidence in them. Speaking to Sky News, the minister said that despite complaints by the Police Federation that cuts are harming frontline officers, crime is falling. Sir Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, added: "I talk to my officers and they’ll say absolutely, morale is low. Yet what I see, day in day out, is officers going to extraordinary lengths, working ridiculous hours, taking personal risks to try and serve the public." Home Secretary Theresa May, said: "The vast majority of police officers are out there and they are working with integrity and honesty, and doing the job that the public wants them to do.
Pray: for all serving police officers as they undertake increasingly demanding work. (2Ti.2:15)
More: http://news.sky.com/story/1112504/police-facing-serious-drag-on-morale
Child abuse apology from Church of England
The Church of England's parliamentary body has apologised to victims of sexual abuse at the hands of Anglican clergy, noting its failure to prevent it and respond effectively. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, said addressing the issue had been "absolutely agonising". Speaking in a meeting of the General Synod in York on Sunday, the Archbishop admitted some victims had been "badly treated" by the Church. He said there needed to be a "complete change of culture and behaviour" in the Church of England. "We cannot in 20 years be finding ourselves having this same debate and saying 'Well we didn't quite understand then'," he said. "There has to be a complete change of culture and behaviour and in addition there is a profound theological point. We are not doing all this, we are not seeking to say how devastatingly, appallingly, atrociously sorry we are for the great failures there have been for our own sakes, for our own flourishing, for the protection of the Church.
Pray: for all those affected by this issue and that both they and the church will be able to move on. (2Pe.3:9)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/child.abuse.apology.from.church.of.england/33106.htm
New Vice-President urges Methodists to fight poverty
The newly inaugurated Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, Dr Daleep Mukraji, called on the Methodist people to "speak out, take sides," and "stand up for justice" in his inaugural address to the Methodist Conference last Saturday. Urging Methodists to become "agents of change", Dr Mukarji said that the UK had not seen higher levels of poverty and inequality since World War Two. One out of five people in the UK live in relative poverty including around 3.5 million children who are more likely to live in a low income household than the population as a whole. "Working with others, people of faith or no faith, we need to work for justice, inclusion and development that benefits the poor and marginalised here in the UK and across the world," he said. "This requires that we be prepared for the education, organisation and equipping of our members so that we build the necessary energy and commitment to see changes in our society."
Pray: for us all to become agents for change and to work to overcome poverty. (1Jn.3:17)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18618