Germany: Human trafficking
Women from abroad who escape prostitution are considered ‘illegal immigrants’ in Germany and only allowed to remain during the criminal proceedings when they testify against the perpetrators. Although they take a great personal risk by making a statement they are deported when the case is closed – generally without financial compensation. There have been many unsuccessful resolutions by interior ministers to reform Germany’s prostitution laws. After pressure from Brussels, the coalition will now introduce new laws before the summer recess. The Justice Minister needs to amend the criminal law, the Economy Minister has to change the trade and industry regulations so that brothels can receive some guidelines. Also the Interior Minister must clear the way for foreign women who are in forced prostitution to be assured a safe haven in Germany. We are asked to pray that all party political obstacles will be cleared away so that victims get effective protection under the law. (Proverbs 31 v.8-9)
Pray: for protection laws to be passed speedily before the summer recess and that human trafficking rings will be uncovered and broken up. (Psalm 44 v.23-26)
More: http://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/search.action
Germany: Human trafficking
Women from abroad who escape prostitution are considered ‘illegal immigrants’ in Germany and only allowed to remain during the criminal proceedings when they testify against the perpetrators. Although they take a great personal risk by making a statement they are deported when the case is closed – generally without financial compensation. There have been many unsuccessful resolutions by interior ministers to reform Germany’s prostitution laws. After pressure from Brussels, the coalition will now introduce new laws before the summer recess. The Justice Minister needs to amend the criminal law, the Economy Minister has to change the trade and industry regulations so that brothels can receive some guidelines. Also the Interior Minister must clear the way for foreign women who are in forced prostitution to be assured a safe haven in Germany. We are asked to pray that all party political obstacles will be cleared away so that victims get effective protection under the law. (Proverbs 31 v.8-9)
Pray: for protection laws to be passed speedily before the summer recess and that human trafficking rings will be uncovered and broken up. (Psalm 44 v.23-26)
More: http://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/search.action
Nigeria: Bishops condemn persecution of Christians
At an International Conference on ‘Religious Freedom and Tolerance’ clergymen from different denominations condemned the violent persecution of Christians in the north, as they discussed the current situation with Christian Solidarity International, Christian Defense Force, Human Capital Development, Governors and University academics. They endorsed the emergency rule imposed by President Jonathan in parts of the north where out of 52 churches 50 have been destroyed by Boko Haram terrorists. Also it was suggested Christians in the North be asked to consider relocating to the East to avoid more casualties.
Pray: for concerted action and prayer to contain efforts to destabilize Nigeria and to bring about a Godly solution. (Ps.125:3-5)
More: http://www.spyghana.com/bishops-condemn-persecution-of-christians-in-nigeria/
INSIGHT: Egypt’s constitution
Egypt's top court has ruled that the upper house, or Shura Council, and a panel that drafted a new constitution are invalid. But the court said the Shura would only be dissolved after new elections. Elections were supposed to take place in April, however a number of Islamists from the Muslim Brotherhood, the Freedom and Justice Party, and the Al Nour Party stated elections were to be postponed until 2014. Mr Morsi's Freedom and Justice party, the Muslim Brotherhood's political wing, holds 42% of the Shura Council's seats and can easily gain a majority with support from conservative allies. Opponents say the president has used the council to rush through an Islamist agenda and laws that have too many loopholes. There was high security at the court building in southern Cairo ahead of the latest ruling. The Spiritual face of Egypt is changing. For insights into this change click the more button.
Pray: for the Coptic Church (the largest body of Christians in Egypt) to be a witness not only to the people of Egypt, but also the Middle-Eastern region. (Ps.17:8,9, 15)
More: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=448&Itemid=93
Turkey: Riots resulting from proposed project
A company with close ties to the government intending to build cultural centres, a mosque, an Ottoman-era military barracks and an opera house on a treasured Istanbul park was the trigger for protests that have spread into nationwide anti-government unrest. A BBC reporter who has covered unrest in Greece, the Occupy protests and reported from Tahrir Square said the breadth of social support within the urban enclave of Istanbul is bigger.’ Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ‘This is not about Gezi Park anymore. These are organized events with affiliations both within Turkey and abroad. Those who make news and call these events the Turkish Spring do not know Turkey.’ Protesters say the Turkish government is becoming increasingly authoritarian. They fear that Mr Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) is trying to impose conservative Islamic values on the officially secular country and infringe on their personal freedoms.
Pray: for all unions, political and religious groups to calm the situation - remembering that peaceful demonstrations are part of democratic expression. (Ps.37:37)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22753418
Columbia: Portion of an open letter to the Prime Minister of Canada
‘I am a 24-year-old Canadian citizen living and working in Colombia with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) as an international human rights observer, striving for justice and peace in a country torn by a 50-year civil war. I want to tell you about Las Pavas, a farming community in rural Colombia, their displacement over the past ten years and the violations of their rights that continue to this day at the hands of palm oil company Aportes San Isidro. I want to tell you this because as Canada, now a ‘Free Trade’ partner with Colombia, imports millions of palm oil products, it perpetuates these crimes.’ The letter goes on to explain how hard-working farmers struggle to survive after the palm company knock down homes, threaten lives, rape the women and even shoot at farmers while they work. To read the whole document click on the more button.
Pray: for justice in this and similar situations where industry and profits outweigh human dignity and rights. (Ps.45:4)
More: http://www.cpt.org/cptnet/2013/05/29/colombia-open-letter-prime-minister-canada
America: American Pastor’s wife appealing to UN
Naghmeh Abedini, wife of Paster Saeed Abedini who is currently being held prisoner in Iran addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 about her husband's plight. 'For nearly a year, the Iranian government has tried to silence my husband, Saeed Abedini, through illegal imprisonment, torture, and threats against our family. My husband is a U.S. citizen and loving father of our two young children. He has been held in Iran's brutal Evin Prison because of his faith and without a voice to fight for his freedom. I must, therefore, be his voice. In light of his failing health due to repeated beatings by his captors and their refusal to give him necessary medical care, I cannot sit idly by – time is running out. Saeed is not guilty of violating any Iranian law; instead, he is being held as a prisoner of conscience.'
Pray: that Naghmeh’s address to the United Nations Human Rights Council will result in the international community speaking out against Saeed's persecution.
More: http://www.foxnews.com/opini
Student Volunteer Movement 2 (SVM2) is pleased to announce the 2013 dates for the “21 Days for Global Harvest” prayer campaign. It will take place from September 29 – October 19, 2013.
“21 Days For Global Harvest” encourages local churches, campus ministry fellowships and Bible schools to promote small group prayer for spiritual awakening in the body of Christ resulting in global harvest among the unengaged over a 21 day period. A daily prayer guide helps bring focus to our prayer and intercession. It is an opportunity to focus our prayers from around the world on God’s glory among the unengaged.
A new updated video will soon be available on our website that you can use to Promote the Prayer Campaign (http://21daysofprayer.net/get-involved/spread-the-word/) among your constituency. Don’t forget to register (http://21daysofprayer.net/get-involved/21-days-registration/ yourself for “21 Days” and commit to participate as well.
Joel Iyorwa
21 Days of Global harvest coordinator
Mobile - +66 8427 82683 / Email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. /Website - www.SVM2.net / Abandoned Times Blog – www.SVM2.net/abandonedtimes/
This is the season for the children of the One and Only Living God to embrace the Father’s Heart in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Therefore, we invite the Global Body of the Christ to participate in A Day of Repentance 7/14 during Sunday worship services on July 14, using 2 Chronicles 7:14 as our common guide for unity, humility, prayer and repentance from our sins that the Lord may forgive and heal our land. We also encourage prayer gatherings on Saturday, July 13 to intercede for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit on Sunday, July 14 as we repent for our sins and the sins of the Church. For additional details and contact information, please visit www.prayersurgenow.net. As a follow up to A Day of Repentance 7/14 for your congregation or ministry, please consider 10 Days of Prayer: September 4-14, 2013 during the 10 Days of Awe - from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur - for your city or region. Please consider the following inspiration for "Repentance” and “10 Days”.
"Repent" was the first word Jesus spoke when He began to preach in Matthew 4:17. Repentance is not only the key to entering the Kingdom of Heaven, it is also the key final act by which the Lord - honoring His covenant with His People at a time when He has shut up heaven and has sent pestilence - hears from heaven, forgives our sins and heals our land as revealed in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. There is now a growing realization in the body of Christ that we need to activate this Truth through days of repentance. A nonprofit, nondenominational Christian ministry is now supporting the season of repentance and welcomes all to join without cost to speak for repentance in their community: www.dayofrepentance.org.
10 Days is a vision rooted in Jesus' prayer in John 17, "let them be one as we are one". Believing that "Jesus gets what He prays for", it's a strategy for bringing city-wide churches together into a 10 Day season of worship, prayer, and fasting on an annual basis. The focus of the time is three-fold: (1) personal repentance, encounter with God, and transformation; (2) corporate prayer for Scriptural promises; and (3) promoting "eager longing" for the return of Christ. As Zechariah 8:20-21 states, "In that day people from one city will go to another saying, 'Come, seek the Lord with us. I myself am going". It's our hope that such a movement of prayer from city-to-city will take place during this annual time-table. Please visit www.10days.net (currently under construction) for more information.
Dai Sup Han, Facilitator, Prayer Surge NOW!, Serving with YWAM
Jonathan Friz, Facilitator, 10 Days of Prayer & New England Alliance
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., www.prayersurgenow.net, www.thefatherheart.com
The U.S. military is embracing a celebration of homosexuals (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/23/military-gives-a-salute-to-gay-pride-month/) in the ranks this month by sending out a homosexual pride poster and a directive to commands, while planning a Pentagon symposium that will be attended by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. In the aftermath of ending the ban on open homosexuals in the military, the Pentagon last June recognized Homosexual Pride Month for the first time in a subdued recognition of uniformed and civilian homosexuals. As defense secretary at the time, Leon E. Panetta gave a public statement, and a Pentagon event featured an active-duty homosexual Marine, a homosexual Air Force civilian lawyer and a female homosexual who had served in the Army.
As these decisions and celebrations in the military stem from a pro-homosexual administration, let our intercession begin at the top. Pray that the president and his advisors will treat all citizens and citizen groups with equal fairness. Pray that conservative Christians and evangelical chaplains will have at least as much voice and receive the same respect and recognition that the homosexual lobby demands and gets. Pray that the Lord would deliver our nation from leadership that rebels against God's Word. Pray for righteous leadership in the land. Pray for the strengthening of righteous decisions for our military command. Pray for protection and for the elevation of those leaders in our military who will not bend their knee to unrighteous edicts.