This is a horrible story and shows so much the injustice in this Islamic country. That needs to be brought out into the public!
Recently they executed a lady from Sri Lanka and cut her head off as they accused her of having killed a baby. But this religious Saudi man gets away…
“The man (who raped and killed the girl), said to be a religious scholar who is also a regular guest on Islamic television networks, confessed to having used cables and a cane to inflict the injuries, activists from the group Women to Drive said in a statement on Saturday.
…Randa al-Kaleeb, a social worker from the hospital where Lama was admitted, said the girl’s back was broken and that she had been raped ‘everywhere’, according to the group.”
Pray for justice and the light of Christ to shine in this benighted nation.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/02/201323223618362435.html
As Christians will know, on the 8th of November 2012, our government promulgated Decree 92/2012/ND-CP, a decree detailing how to implement the Ordinance on Religion and Belief of 2004. The decree was signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and became effective on January 1, 2013.
Dear fellow Christians – the implementation of this decree will cause many inconveniences and hardships for church activities, and at the same time render illegal all house churches which already came into being 25 years ago, The articles in the decree also provide local officials with legal means by which they can hinder the worship of God and other activities in local congregations.
1. Ask that the Almighty God would continue to protect and vindicate the Church (Acts 5:38, 39)
2. Ask that God would protect believers in all local areas and that they would faithfully gather to worship the Lord and stand firm in all circumstances (Acts 5:41, 42)
3. Ask that God would grant leaders of our Vietnamese nation to recognize the many benefits that the churches contribute to society (1 Timothy 2:1, 2)
4. Ask God to raise up a devout generation and to visit his church so that we would fulfill our calling of being the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. (Matthew 5:13, 14)
European police arrest 103 in suspected human trafficking ring
Officials are calling it one of the largest operations against human traffickers in Europe. Police in Europe arrested 103 people in 10 countries this week, all accused of smuggling people on boats, freight trains and small hidden compartments in the floors of buses and trucks. The massive operation spanned a host of European nations and deployed more than 1,200 police officers. The operation descended on homes and properties across Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Turkey and the Kosovo region in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Related operations took place in Switzerland and Austria. Human trafficking is a global multibillion dollar business, only ranking behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. (See also 41-2012)
Praise: God for this answer to prayer leading to the prosecution of perpetrators. (Is.61:8)
More: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/31/world/europe/human-trafficking-arrests/index.html?hpt=ieu_c2
European police arrest 103 in suspected human trafficking ring
Officials are calling it one of the largest operations against human traffickers in Europe. Police in Europe arrested 103 people in 10 countries this week, all accused of smuggling people on boats, freight trains and small hidden compartments in the floors of buses and trucks. The massive operation spanned a host of European nations and deployed more than 1,200 police officers. The operation descended on homes and properties across Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Turkey and the Kosovo region in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Related operations took place in Switzerland and Austria. Human trafficking is a global multibillion dollar business, only ranking behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. (See also 41-2012)
Praise: God for this answer to prayer leading to the prosecution of perpetrators. (Is.61:8)
More: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/31/world/europe/human-trafficking-arrests/index.html?hpt=ieu_c2
South Africa’s first black billionaire will give away half his wealth
Inspired by the example of several ultra-wealthy individuals in the US, South Africa’s first black billionaire and its fourth richest man will donate half his assets to help the poor in his country. Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe announced he will donate half of his personal fortune, which is currently estimated by Forbes Magazine at $2.65 billion, according to a report by NPR. Motsepe was inspired by ‘The Giving Pledge,’ a philanthropic programme launched by Warren Buffet, along with Bill and Melinda Gates. So far, their initiative has attracted nearly a 100 like-minded billionaires. Motsepe is making the pledge to assist the millions of South Africans who have seen little improvement in their financial well-being since white minority rule ended in 1994, according to NPR. Motsepe’s wife, Precious, said that his wealth would be given away throughout his lifetime, according to the Financial Times.
Praise: God for the generosity of Motsepe and pray that others would be influenced by his decision. (2Cor.9:6)
South Africa’s first black billionaire will give away half his wealth
Inspired by the example of several ultra-wealthy individuals in the US, South Africa’s first black billionaire and its fourth richest man will donate half his assets to help the poor in his country. Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe announced he will donate half of his personal fortune, which is currently estimated by Forbes Magazine at $2.65 billion, according to a report by NPR. Motsepe was inspired by ‘The Giving Pledge,’ a philanthropic programme launched by Warren Buffet, along with Bill and Melinda Gates. So far, their initiative has attracted nearly a 100 like-minded billionaires. Motsepe is making the pledge to assist the millions of South Africans who have seen little improvement in their financial well-being since white minority rule ended in 1994, according to NPR. Motsepe’s wife, Precious, said that his wealth would be given away throughout his lifetime, according to the Financial Times.
Praise: God for the generosity of Motsepe and pray that others would be influenced by his decision. (2Cor.9:6)
Israel: Jews being targeted overseas
The Shin Bet’s 2012 report on terror found terrorists switching focus to less heavily-guarded Israelis abroad; noting the bus bombing in Bulgaria killing five Israelis and one Bulgarian, a bombing in New Delhi in which a diplomat’s wife was wounded, and an attempted bombing targeting a Georgian embassy employee. 2012 also saw attacks on non-Israeli Jewish communities with the death of three children and a rabbi at the Otzar Hatorah School in France. The murderer said he targeted the school due to his hatred of Israel. The report noted an unprecedented number of arrests of Hizbullah terrorists and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, many arrested abroad while planning attacks against Israelis. Notably a Hizbullah terrorist in Bangkok plotting a mass attack on Israeli tourists in Thailand; a Hizbullah terrorist arrested in Cyprus while gathering information on tourist sites, ships and airplanes used by Israelis; and Revolutionary Guards' terrorists were arrested in Kenya for planning attacks on Israelis in the country.
Pray: for continued vigilance and wisdom by Israeli and international authorities as they work towards protecting Israelis at home and abroad. (Gen.28:15)
More: http://forzion.com/2013/01/25/terrorists-new-tactic-hit-israelis-jews-overseas/
Mali: Medical mission diverted
As troops from France and Chad enter the last major city in northern Mali, critical Christian aid efforts have been hampered by a climate of violence and instability. ‘I wish I knew what is going on,’ says Laura Delaney, medical coordinator with Medicines for Mali. Her organization works closely with Blessings International to deliver medical aid and access to clean water to poor villages in the south. She intended to deliver vital medicines but plans changed after a Frenchman was abducted near Bamako. Access to communication is spotty in the villages they serve. ‘The sad part is people don’t know what’s going on, except that we’re not coming. They fear we will not come back, but we reassured them we will return when it’s safe. It’s heart-wrenching not to go, medicine is in short supply'; she said. Meanwhile 1,800 Chadian troops secured Kidal in northern Mali, and French troops are holding the Kidal airport so that more forces can land.
Pray: for this and other agencies attempting to reach difficult areas with much needed aid. Pray also for the innocent villages caught up in this conflict. (Ps.22:19-22)
More: http://blog.godreports.com/2013/02/medical-mission-diverted-from-mali/#more-2843
Global: Same sex marriage
Truth today has become that which is true in the eyes of the beholder at a given moment in time or place. It constantly evolves and restructures itself to fit the circumstances of the day. In America same-sex marriages are being perpetrated as an accepted lifestyle and the boy scouts are being encouraged to accept gays from members to leaders. Last week the French National Assembly approved an article of a bill to legalise same-sex marriage. Denmark introduced civil partnerships for same-sex couples in 1989 but stopped short of allowing church weddings. Norway, Sweden and Iceland followed suit allowing partnerships without the rights and obligations of marriage. On April 1st 2001 the first legal gay marriage ceremony was held in Amsterdam. In June 2003, the Vatican launched a global campaign against gay marriage. Two years later, despite a 600,000-strong petition organised by a Catholic group and a rally in Madrid opposing it, same-sex marriage was introduced in Spain. Across the nations we are seeing sexual intimacy that violates the sacredness of marriage being accepted as ‘truth’
Pray: for Christians across the nations to stand for the truth of God's Word with regards to marriage and for God’s wisdom to replace secular opinions. (Ps.45:4)
Afghanistan: Zadran people
The Zadran people are one of the most well-known ethnic tribes in south eastern Afghanistan with more than half a million living in the provinces known as Greater Paktia (GP) and NW Pakistan. GP is a politically complicated region having a strong presence of militia with shifting allegiances and violent tendencies that make governance difficult in a mountainous and cavernous terrain, providing armed groups ample cover from which to conduct their guerrilla operations. Immediately after the fall of the Taliban GP was chaotic (a small civil war broke out between rival militia commanders for control of the area). Until today, some areas remain a safe haven for militants loyal to the most famous member of the Zadran tribe, Jalaluddin Haqqani, He lives in exile in N Waziristan. It is claimed he introduced suicide bombing to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. See also: For INSIGHTS into how to pray into terrorism rooted in Afghanistan and Pakistan click the 'Info' button.
Pray: for a real dissatisfaction with militancy amongst the Zadran tribe. May men of peace be raised up amongst them. Pray for peace in the region. (Pr.28:16)
Info: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=428&Itemid=93