Background:
The people of Pakistan have shown great resilience to sustain their democracy during the last 65 years by ejecting at least four governments in uniform which constitute more than 30 years of rule and frustrating many more conspiracies against their right to be governed democratically, while most of the efforts in the past had been to reclaim democratic space. In 2013, the nation will go to polling booths to endorse or reject political parties on the basis of their performance after completion of a full-fledge term of five years by a democratically elected government…
In the back drop of all these new developments and a continued war against terrorism, Talibanisation, extremism and radicalization, the nation will be going to the polls in May 2013, genuinely expecting that democracy must deliver good governance to bring them out of the quagmire of problems. Therefore, the first ever civilian transition without the mentoring and monitoring of powers that be in 2013 is a citizens' chance to vote out or vote in their representatives through free, fair and transparent elections. In this way, Election-2013 will be of significant importance and have long-term consequences for democratic consolidation in Pakistan.
Prayer Campaign:
The National Prayer Network of Pakistan partnering with local churches has started a prayer campaign since December 2012 which focuses on the “Prayer for The General Election 2013”. It is imperative that we pray faithfully for the 2013 elections, yet our hope and trust is not in the results of elections. This prayer campaign motivates the Christians across the nation that their prayers for this upcoming election are important, and they will definitely impact the election process. The campaign also focuses on a spiritual and moral awakening of the church which is tied to the healing of the nation, spiritual and moral issues facing our nation and that these issues will not be resolved in the Parliament, Senate or the Supreme Court. What Pakistan desperately needs is its Church’s Spiritual Awakening. The Church must experience a revival that awakens her to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ in her midst. Such a spiritual awakening within the people of God has the power to bring about true cultural transformation in this nation.
Prayers for Materials and Events:
Tens of Thousands of printed information flyers, printed prayer points, posters and other materials are being sent by post and e-mail to churches, ministries, prayer groups and individuals across the nation; special prayer events, seminars, prayer chains, prayer walks and other activities are being held to pray for the upcoming elections. Please pray for these events and material that the Holy Spirit touches the heart of the Church and the People of God understand the importance and impact of this prayer campaign for the future and political situation of the country.
The prayer campaign will continue till the election day rather till the results are declared, we believe that every believer has the potential to transform Pakistan through the power of the Holy Spirit which is released in every prayer for our Leaders and our Nation…I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Tim 2:1-2.
It is our humble request to lift Pakistan in prayer continuously so that Free, Fair, Credible and Peaceful elections can take place.
Prayerfully,
National Prayer Network of Pakistan Team
URGENT: Let us pray for this national prayer effort to be successful in uniting the Pakistanis in intercession for their nation and also for the right leaders to be raised up during the election this coming month. This is an extremely crucial prayer issue not only for their nation but also for the security of the rest of the world. Pray that radical Islam is exposed and discredited and that none of these radicals get into power. They would then have access to the full arsenal of nuclear weapons Pakistan has, and they would not hesitate to use them against other nations.
Islamist discontent is rising, forcing Sudan’s President Omar el-Bashir to prove his Islamist credentials. As churches are demolished, property is seized, Coptic priests are detained and foreign Christians are deported, despair is setting in, and Sudanese Christians are wondering if the day is coming when they will no longer be able to practice their faith at all. Meanwhile, the 54-member states of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) showed how little they care about the Sudanese citizens when they elected Sudan as a Vice-President and nominated it to chair proceedings on humanitarian affairs. The US and Canada protested, forcing Sudan to cede the humanitarian post reluctantly to Pakistan. Only God can be trusted! Please pray for the Church in Sudan.
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Toll of loneliness: isolation increases risk of death
Elderly people who are lonely because they do not see friends or family regularly are almost 50 per cent more likely to die before their time than those who do, a stark new study shows. British researchers found that social isolation could dramatically increase the risk of mortality in both men and women, even after underlying health problems are taken into account. They concluded that simply enabling people to get out and about more often would not only make feel them less lonely but actively increase their life expectancy. It follows a series of studies showing higher instances of conditions such as heart disease and dementia among those who live in isolation. There have also been studies linking the emotional effects of loneliness with high blood pressure and stress-induced conditions. But the latest study goes further than previous research to establish a link between isolation and early death.
Pray: for the lonely and for us all to do more to bring older people into the heart of our communities (Ps.25:16)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/9953019/Toll-of-loneliness-isolation-increases-risk-of-death-study-finds.html
Dear prayer partners in the LORD, please I am requesting prayers for my country Ghana. Just after the election, there has been heavy tension on the nation. Just because the opposition party has been taking the election commission and the president to court for an unfair deal. Please, we need your prayer support and GOD’s intervention for fair judgment.
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Please pray for a dear brother in Christ, Sherif Ramses. He is one of four foreign nationals who have been arrested on February 10 in Benghazi, Libya, on suspicion of Christian activities.
Sherif is being subjected to severe torture including hanging from a ceiling and beatings. They are attempting to force him to confess to things he has not done.
Sherif Ramses is an Egyptian Christian who lived and operated a bookstore in Libya for many years. When Ramses was arrested, he allegedly had 30,000 Bibles in storage. He has been accused of printing Christian literature and proselytizing.
Please take urgent action on his behalf. What you can do:
1. Ask your church to pray for brother Sherif and three others arrested with him
2. Write an email or letter to your congressman: *find info at: http://www.dohi.org/us/human_rights_violation_action.php
3. Contact any media news paper, TV, News Radio, Talk shows
4. Publicize his situation via social media: FaceBook, Twitter…ask your friends to spread this info to all their friends and acquaintances
Brother Sherif is in a very grave situation. Please take action!
He needs our daily prayers. Pray that God sustains his faith and for his quick release.
The other three foreign nationals arrested with him are a South African, Korean, Swedish-American. On Feb. 13 and Feb. 16, three additional Christians were arrested, bringing a total of seven arrested.
Sherif Ramses is the only one of the arrested that has been named. Names and location of the other 6 detainees have not yet been identified. Please keep them also in prayer. God knows their names.
Thank you for your faithful prayers. God alone can sustain someone suffering such evil.
Together in His Ministry,
Paul H. Popov
"I would really like to see people around the world rally to the fact that there are fellowships in the country of Libya and they need our prayers. At the center of the 90 days prayer and fasting is seeking God for a movement breakthrough in the nation."
Please pray for a dear brother in Christ, Sherif Ramses. He is one of four foreign nationals who have been arrested on February 10 in Benghazi, Libya, on suspicion of Christian activities.
Sherif is being subjected to severe torture including hanging from a ceiling and beatings. They are attempting to force him to confess to things he has not done.
Sherif Ramses is an Egyptian Christian who lived and operated a bookstore in Libya for many years. When Ramses was arrested, he allegedly had 30,000 Bibles in storage. He has been accused of printing Christian literature and proselytizing.
Please take urgent action on his behalf. What you can do:
1. Ask your church to pray for brother Sherif and three others arrested with him
2. Write an email or letter to your congressman: *find info at: http://www.dohi.org/us/human_rights_violation_action.php
3. Contact any media news paper, TV, News Radio, Talk shows
4. Publicize his situation via social media: FaceBook, Twitter…ask your friends to spread this info to all their friends and acquaintances
Brother Sherif is in a very grave situation. Please take action!
He needs our daily prayers. Pray that God sustains his faith and for his quick release.
The other three foreign nationals arrested with him are a South African, Korean, Swedish-American. On Feb. 13 and Feb. 16, three additional Christians were arrested, bringing a total of seven arrested.
Sherif Ramses is the only one of the arrested that has been named. Names and location of the other 6 detainees have not yet been identified. Please keep them also in prayer. God knows their names.
Thank you for your faithful prayers. God alone can sustain someone suffering such evil.
Together in His Ministry,
Paul H. Popov
"I would really like to see people around the world rally to the fact that there are fellowships in the country of Libya and they need our prayers. At the center of the 90 days prayer and fasting is seeking God for a movement breakthrough in the nation."
Diane Abbott calls for purge of 'sexualised' imagery from High Streets
Shadow health minister Dianne Abbott has called for a purge of sexualised imagery from public spaces in the UK. "I think it has reached a point where we need to detox our High Streets, and make Britain a family-friendly country again," she told the Mumsnet website. She also blamed a "disturbing" trend for online bullying of young women on a "crisis in masculinity". Ms Abbott plans to make a speech on the issue. "I think we need to clear our public spaces of worst elements of unrestrained markets - including addressing music videos that blare out at us, and our children. The online bullying including problems around 'sexting' and 'slut-shaming'; the huge billboards that have very sexualised images of women that loom over our public spaces, and the sexualised figures of women in films that are now commonplace. For me the key, is putting parents back in control, and also putting open-minded family values back in our public spaces."
Pray: for significant progress to be made on this issue with a cross-party response in Parliament. (Gal.5:19)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21878027
After just over one year in power, North North Korea’s novice leader, 30-year old Kim Jong Un, has dashed hopes that he will change course from the brinkmanship-style policies pursued by his late father, Kim Jong Il. For the first time in decades, U.S. intelligence and defense analysts believe the threat of an outbreak of significant hostilities on the Korean peninsula is a distinct possibility. How would a potential conflict play out? While there is little doubt that North Korea would lose, the consequences for the region would be dire, with casualties potentially in the hundreds of thousands, if not more.
Christian graphic designer refused job because of his faith
A graphic designer has claimed that he was denied a job with a county hotel near Colchester simply because of his Christian faith. Jamie Haxby (24) was invited for an interview with Prested Hall Hotel after applying for a job to design the venue's advertising and promotional material. But after discovering that he was a Christian, manager Celie Parker said that he could not be considered for the role because his beliefs would upset atheist employees. Mr Haxby says that the interview was going well until Ms Parker saw his portfolio which contained samples of work that he had done for his local church and a Christian charity. Just over halfway through looking over my portfolio, Celie stopped me and said she did not think we needed to go any further. She then explained that she thought my work was brilliant, but that she and others on her team were atheists.
Pray: for believers as they face challenges to their faith especially when it has nothing to do with what they are involved in. (1Cor.16:13)
Changes in the church?
Roman Catholics have a new leader, and the wider world has a new ministry to watch. The direction the new Pope takes his flock is important for committed Catholics. The pope wields vast influence as the world’s most powerful moral leader and the public face of Christianity. The Orthodox Union lauded Pope Francis for his solidarity with the Argentine Jewish community and expressed hope that the Pope ‘will be an active force in the battle against those who would use religion as a justification for violence and intolerance.’ New Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby was formally installed two days after Francis’ official installation on March 19th and said he will keep his Catholic counterpart in prayer.
Pray: for these two men as they take up the most visible Christian leadership roles. (Nu.6:23-25)
More: http://www.religionnews.com/2013/03/14/non-catholics-greet-pope-francis-with-guarded-optimism