Religious Liberty Partnership Releases Statement on Syria, Calls for International Day of Prayer
(April 2013) The Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance and other religious liberty organisations united under the Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP) have released a statement on the crisis in Syria asking the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria to pay particular attention to "vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities", and calling for a designated day of prayer for the country.
Called the 'Istanbul Statement on the Church in Syria', it expresses concern about the exodus of Christians and other ethnic and religious minorities from Syria and calls on the international community to" provide sufficient protection for all ethnic and religious communities as well as their historical, religious, and cultural sites."
"There is an urgent need to speak out about the situation facing Christians and other religious minorities in Syria." said Godfrey Yogarajah the Executive Director of the Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance, and member of the RLP Leadership Team. "We urge all Christians around the world to respond to this call to prayer and action in order to bring peace and stability to this troubled nation," he added.
According to the statement, drafted during the annual gathering of member organisations held in Istanbul in late March, the Religious Liberty Partnership commits "to raise awareness and work toward a peaceful solution of the current crisis, including reconciliation among the various ethnic and religious communities; and to utilize practices that prioritize the well-being of all Syrians when providing assistance and advocating on behalf of the vulnerable." The full Istanbul Statement is available here (http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1109200547735-21/RLP+Istanbul+Statement+on+Syria.pdf)
The Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP) is a collaborative effort of Christian organizations from over 20 countries focused on religious liberty. The RLP seeks to more intentionally work together in addressing advocacy, assistance, and in raising the awareness of religious liberty issues globally. Besides RLP Chairman, Mervyn Thomas, the RLP Leadership Team is made of: Godfrey Yogarajah of the World Evangelical Alliance; Ron Boyd-Macmillan, Open Doors International, Netherlands; Anne Brandner, Global Peace Initiative, Canada; Andy Dipper, Viva, UK; Daniel Hoffman of Middle East Concern; and Linus Pfister, HMK Switzerland. A listing of RLP members is on the Istanbul Statement.
For further information about the Religious Liberty Partnership or the Istanbul Statement, please visit: www.RLPartnership.org
Syrian church leaders have called for a day of prayer for their country and its people on Saturday 11th May. Primarily, they are calling for prayer for peace to be restored to their country, enabling all Syrians to live in harmony within their own country.
As violent conflict continues, there are no precise figures for the number of those killed (most estimates state 70,000 or more), injured, internally displaced within Syria or who have fled to neighbouring countries and beyond. It is generally reckoned that over one million have left and at least another million have been internally displaced, all from amongst a population of approximately 23 million. Atrocities have been committed by many parties.
During 2012 there was a subtle shift in how Syrian church leaders typically interpreted events. Claims of the deliberate targeting of Christians for religious reasons increased as the year progressed. Initially, most were careful to stress that there was little religious targeting. However, church leaders are increasingly fearful of the growing extremist elements within the opposition movement (e.g. Jabhat an-Nusra), and fearful that a Sunni take-over of power in Syria would lead to greater restrictions on Christians. Some fear that the Iraq scenario (involving increased levels of sectarian attack and corresponding flight of Christians) could be replicated in Syria. Church leaders have called on Christians not to leave, acknowledging that significant emigration had already occurred.
Fears within Christian communities have increased following the kidnapping of two priests (Michel Kayyal of the Armenian Catholic church and Mahar Mahfouz of the Greek Orthodox church) on 9th February and the subsequent kidnapping of two bishops (Yohanna Ibrahim of the Syriac Orthodox Church and Boulos Yaziji of the Greek Orthodox Church) on 22nd April.
Syrian Christians request that we join with them in prayer, asking that:
a. Violent conflict will end, and reconciliation processes will begin.
b. Those bereaved and traumatised will know the healing touch of Jesus.
c. Those displaced will know the provision and protection of the Father; and those supporting them will know the wisdom and enabling of the Spirit.
d. Those from all communities who have been kidnapped, including the two bishops and two priests kidnapped, will be released unharmed soon.
e. Unity amongst Christian communities will be strengthened and that Christians will know the Lord's equipping as they respond to the overwhelming needs around them.
f. All those choosing to use violent methods will know the Spirit's conviction of sin and respond to the Father's offer of forgiveness and new life in the Son.
"We recently had a camp for about 25 young people. During one of the prayer meetings, the Lord Jesus’ presence by His Holy Spirit was keenly felt! Praise the Lord, we prayed in our Lord Jesus’ powerful Name for several people, and they were strongly delivered from the evil spirits of witchcraft and sorcery! Young people began to come forward to ask for prayer for commitment and consecration to follow and serve the Lord Jesus! It was a very moving and beautiful time in God’s presence.
Please pray:
1. For the young people to continue to grow and be disciples of our Lord Jesus for His glory.
2. For our nation - wide emphasis in the Churches, to reach out to the young people of Algeria and help make them Jesus’ disciples and servants in the coming months and years, amen!"
Excellent prayer material for Algeria:
www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/north-african/algeria
During May a group of several hundred Algerian church leaders and workers will be meeting for training and encouragement. Please lift them up as they meet. Ask God for covering and protection. Ask God to fill them with vision and love for their nation. Pray for provision of all their needs. Ask God to guard unity and to give them unity of purpose. May God bring all His plans and purposes from this gathering.
The political coalition led by Prime Minister Najib Razak won a narrow victory in Sunday’s national election in Malaysia, but it now faces widespread accusations of electoral fraud. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says he will lead a “fierce” protest against Razak's party, a move that could turn Malaysia on its head and derail the economic progress achieved over the last half century.
From Lignet.com
Please continue to pray for Malaysia as it moves towards a more just and corruption-free society.
Several of you have responded to our recent prayer alert encouraging watchfulness in prayer regarding possible imminent terror attacks with some skepticism about the Israeli intelligence expert that was quoted in it. A couple of you also pointed out that the email a friend in the prayer movement sent and I forwarded on to you was a few years old. I did some further checking and apparently there is some controversy about this "expert" and serious question now as to whether he is a legitimate and credible source. Thank you for your alertness and response to this issue.
However, after receiving the alert, one of you sent a May 9 article from Stratfor, a well-respected intelligence journal, that basically said the same thing as our alert, describing the growing threat of "grassroots jihadists, individuals who have been inspired by the al Qaeda core or franchise groups". The author of the article, Scott Stewart, writes that "grassroots operatives are a very big problem for government counterterrorism efforts... that is why militant ideologues promote the leaderless resistance model." He continues, "That doesn't mean that such operatives cannot be stopped, but in order to stop them, citizens must think differently about counterterrorism."
Here are some further excerpts from this article, warning us of the dangers of further terror strikes and the inadequacy of intelligence services to defend the public. In the end, only the Lord can protect us from all the threats out there. For that reason, we as intercessors (true "grassroots defenders") play a vital role and need to be vigilant in prayer for our cities and nations:
"We see no sign that this trend toward leaderless resistance will reverse in the near future, and our forecast is that the grassroots threat will continue to grow, not only from the jihadist realm but also from far-right and far-left actors...
The resources of the primary counterterrorism agencies are also quite finite. For example, the FBI has fewer than 14,000 special agents to fulfill its many responsibilities, and while counterterrorism has become its top mission in the post-9/11 era, only a portion of its agents (estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,000) are assigned to counterterrorism investigations at any time...
Due to the limited number of dedicated counterterrorism practitioners, these indicators (and sometimes blatant mistakes) are far more likely to be witnessed by someone other than an FBI or MI5 agent. This fact highlights the importance of what we call grassroots defenders -- that is, a decentralized network of people practicing situational awareness who notice and report possible indications of terrorist behavior such as acquiring weapons, building bombs and conducting preoperational surveillance...
It is unrealistic to expect the government to uncover and thwart every plot. There are too many potential actors and too many vulnerable targets. Individuals need to assume some responsibility for their own security and the security of their communities. This does not mean living in fear and paranoia but rather living with a relaxed level of situational awareness, being cognizant of potential dangers and alert to indicators of them. People who accept this responsibility and who practice this awareness are the true grassroots defenders."
Please pray that any terrorist plots underway would be found out and foiled by the intelligence services and law enforcement here in the USA and also elsewhere in the world.
Welsh Outpouring update
One incredible thing that we are experiencing here in Cwmbran (see last week's edition) since this Outpouring began is the breadth of Christian representation. As a local church, it is great to be joined with brothers and sisters in the Kingdom from many denominational backgrounds including: Baptist, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic, Charismatic, Reformed, Methodist, Free-Methodist and others. This unity, hunger and coming together, is confirmation to us that God is breaking down walls, destroying religious pride and using this as one tool to unite the body of Christ and send her out to the lost and broken, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Every night is different, some nights are completely free, as people experience the presence, joy and power of God. Others are still, peaceful, yet distinctly powerful. Every night, the Gospel is shared, and conversions happen - often before any altar call is made! Click on the ‘More’ link to find out what God is doing.
Praise: God for this outpouring of His Holy Spirit bringing new life and unity to His church. (Ps.85:6)
More: http://www.victorychurch.co.uk/outpouring-update-from-pastor-richard
Welsh Outpouring update
One incredible thing that we are experiencing here in Cwmbran (see last week's edition) since this Outpouring began is the breadth of Christian representation. As a local church, it is great to be joined with brothers and sisters in the Kingdom from many denominational backgrounds including: Baptist, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic, Charismatic, Reformed, Methodist, Free-Methodist and others. This unity, hunger and coming together, is confirmation to us that God is breaking down walls, destroying religious pride and using this as one tool to unite the body of Christ and send her out to the lost and broken, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Every night is different, some nights are completely free, as people experience the presence, joy and power of God. Others are still, peaceful, yet distinctly powerful. Every night, the Gospel is shared, and conversions happen - often before any altar call is made! Click on the ‘More’ link to find out what God is doing.
Praise: God for this outpouring of His Holy Spirit bringing new life and unity to His church. (Ps.85:6)
More: http://www.victorychurch.co.uk/outpouring-update-from-pastor-richard
Romanian gypsies' revival stirs hope for change
Romania: The European Union has deported more than 1,000 gypsy people in recent weeks, and most are being sent back o Romania where they face a life of poverty and deprivation. But Christian groups are working to bring hope to Romania's gypsies. For many, it has led to a relationship with God. After years of mission work in Romania, Kevin Hoy realized gypsies have often struggled with advancing in Romanian society. In 2009, he witnessed what many call the ‘Toflea miracle,’ where 500 gypsies in southeast Romania were baptized after accepting Christ. It was the largest baptism in Romania's history.Hundreds more in Tileagd answered the call to Christ this year. Hoy prays revival will soon reach the residents of Salard as well. In the meantime, he and his team preach the gospel - without words.
Praise: God for His blessing on the gypsy peoples. (Ps.80:18)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Romanian-Gypsies-Find-Hope-in-Christ/
Romanian gypsies' revival stirs hope for change
Romania: The European Union has deported more than 1,000 gypsy people in recent weeks, and most are being sent back o Romania where they face a life of poverty and deprivation. But Christian groups are working to bring hope to Romania's gypsies. For many, it has led to a relationship with God. After years of mission work in Romania, Kevin Hoy realized gypsies have often struggled with advancing in Romanian society. In 2009, he witnessed what many call the ‘Toflea miracle,’ where 500 gypsies in southeast Romania were baptized after accepting Christ. It was the largest baptism in Romania's history.Hundreds more in Tileagd answered the call to Christ this year. Hoy prays revival will soon reach the residents of Salard as well. In the meantime, he and his team preach the gospel - without words.
Praise: God for His blessing on the gypsy peoples. (Ps.80:18)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/September/Romanian-Gypsies-Find-Hope-in-Christ/
Trumpet Call: ‘Standing in the Gap’
In June 2012, for the first time in British parliamentary history 80+ Christian leaders from the UK stood alongside Parliamentarians for an hour of silently listening to God in Parliament. They believed God gave:- an urgent warning of judgment, bringing serious crisis in the nation. A challenge to the church to take action, speaking the truth boldly. A promise of restoration - God’s glory returning if we turn and submit to Him. Then in January 2013 a prophecy given to the World Prayer Centre said God would build ‘Standing in the Gap Networks’ a dynamic connecting of His people forging and building through prayer. Networks that change the here and now and the future. The WPC in Birmingham are inviting the church to unite as a network of believers’ on Saturday 15th June at the International Convention Centre to forge and build through prayer and worship a Holy Spirit Presence. For information click the ‘More’ button
Pray: for release into incredible freedom of prayer and worship, light that will pierce the darkness over our nations. (Jer.1:10)
More: http://www.worldprayer.org.uk/about-us/trumpet-call/trumpet-call-2013/