East Africa: Violence spreading
Dozens of Christian worship places have been destroyed by Islamic extremists in Tanzania and church leaders are fleeing its heavily Muslim island of Zanzibar as the persecution of Christians spreads throughout East Africa. ‘About 25 churches and convents have been destroyed since May. This destruction is mostly confined to Zanzibar where the population is 99% Muslim and openly hostile to Christians,’ explained William Stark, regional manager for Africa of advocacy group International Christian Concern. The latest incidents of violence broke out after a Muslim boy encouraged a Christian boy to urinate on a Qur'an. ‘As a result of this the Christian boy was threatened with being beheaded and at least five churches were destroyed,’ Stark said.
Pray: that Christians in this area of East Africa would be free of oppression and experience the protection of God over their lives. (Ps.119:45-46)
China: At a crossroads
Academics agree, ‘China is at a crossroads’. A new leadership will establish a distinctive character of its own. The new president Xi Jinping knows the West in a way none of his predecessors did. His daughter is studying in the United States and he has spent time there too. He will not act on his own and needs to persuade the rest of the Party leadership to go along with him, but he may represent a shift to change. Younger people in the cities don’t recognise the old Communist leadership which is irrelevant to their lives and futures. The Chinese Church also has been changing - on Tuesday Christian leaders and a number of Bible Society donors joined government officials from the State of Administration for Religious Affairs for a ceremony celebrating over 60 million Bibles having now been distributed throughout China. See:
Pray: for God’s hand to guide China through this season of change into a new identity and Christian inheritance. ( Ps.125:3 & Pr.29:4)
Afghanistan: Foreign workers
A local believer writes, ‘Afghanistan is a difficult place to live for foreign workers, with hot summers, extremely cold winters and constant concerns over security. In recent years foreign organizations have faced increasing levels of bureaucracy, taxation, and corruption. Nevertheless many Christian workers continue to serve in any way they can because God has called them. Pray for the safety of the workers and their families.’ As countries wind down their military mission in Afghanistan the federal government is still writing the policy, working conditions and entitlements of hundreds of diplomats and other public servants who were sent there to work alongside soldiers. The policy is a symbol of the new reality of civilians’ key role in securing peace and stability in conflict areas, an unprecedented synergy of military and civilian expertise that governments everywhere are still learning to manage.
Pray: for those working to reduce poverty, those bringing democratic development, those promoting good governance and for opportunities for believers to share their faith during and after the transition. (Ps.40:1-3)
Israel: Air raids on Gaza
Israel launched three air raids on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday as military top brass weighed a stronger response to rocket fire from the Palestinian territory. The targets included a training camp of a military wing of Hamas, an arms dump and two rocket launch sites hours after Gaza militants fired six rockets at southern Israel residents. The number of rockets fired on Monday dropped significantly from Sunday when dozens of missiles prompted Israel to stage a series of overnight raids. It was unclear if the slowdown was a step towards a more decisive truce, or a lull. The latest flare-up killed six Palestinians and wounded eight Israelis. Benjamin Netanyahu warned, ‘Israel has the complete right and obligation to protect its citizens. We’ll not sit with our arms folded in the face of repeated, almost daily, attacks.’ The violence coming amid an Israeli election campaign raises concern of a broader Israeli military campaign.
Pray: that this violence will not escalate. (Ez.26:15)
More: http://tribune.com.pk/story/464959/israel-launches-retaliatory-air-raids-on-gaza/
Nigeria: Military moves on Niger Delta
Since Sunday there has been a massive military operation as the Nigerian Navy starts flushing out crude oil thieves who are bleeding the country’s oil industry through illegal bunkering. The Navy deployed eight warships, six gunboats and three helicopters, including aircraft used for maritime patrol by the Air Force. Oil theft in the Niger Delta on a daily basis, costs the government five billion US dollars in oil revenue annually. Thieves also engage in social responsibilities by building roads, hospitals, schools and engage in community development projects to protect their interests in local communities. Security sources suspect influential Nigerians are behind the operations of oil thieves who are usually heavily armed. Often the ruptured pipelines are not detected by affected oil companies. Foreign collaborators help the thieves to sell the crude oil and also procure arms which are then smuggled into the country.
Pray: this military operation will not only be successful, but lead to more strategic coordinated action against corruption. (Ps.12:5)
French media ignores protest against radical Islam
A patriotic march for French values and culture, and against radical Islam, was virtually blacked out by France's politically correct media. Over the weekend, protestors chanted against Islamic fascism and about the French victory over Arab invaders in 732 AD It was the first march of its kind in France. A broad coalition of groups from across France banded together because they feel they're losing their country to radical Islam, Sharia law, and a politically correct establishment that encourages the spread of Islam. ‘Sharia law is slowly being enforced in our country and we want to march here to protest that because our government is doing nothing,’ one French demonstrator said. France has more Muslims than any other European nation. Some believe there could be as many as 15 million Muslims in France, although the official figure is much lower.
Pray: tha,t despite the lack of response by the French media, the message will get to the people.(1Cor.1:18)
French media ignores protest against radical Islam
A patriotic march for French values and culture, and against radical Islam, was virtually blacked out by France's politically correct media. Over the weekend, protestors chanted against Islamic fascism and about the French victory over Arab invaders in 732 AD It was the first march of its kind in France. A broad coalition of groups from across France banded together because they feel they're losing their country to radical Islam, Sharia law, and a politically correct establishment that encourages the spread of Islam. ‘Sharia law is slowly being enforced in our country and we want to march here to protest that because our government is doing nothing,’ one French demonstrator said. France has more Muslims than any other European nation. Some believe there could be as many as 15 million Muslims in France, although the official figure is much lower.
Pray: tha,t despite the lack of response by the French media, the message will get to the people.(1Cor.1:18)
European workers stage austerity protests
Workers across the European Union have staged a series of protests and strike against rising unemployment and austerity measures. Organisers of the strike urged national leaders to abandon austerity and address growing social anxiety. Strikes were in Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy, with other protests planned in Belgium, Germany, France and some eastern EU states. Airlines across Europe have been cancelling and rescheduling flights. Spain and Portugal have been particularly hit, and airlines are recommending passengers to check the schedules before travelling to airports. The European Trade Union Confederation urged workers to walk out on Wednesday. The Confederation's Judith Kirton-Darling told the BBC that austerity was not working. ‘It's increasing inequalities, it's increasing the social instability in society and it's not resolving the economic crisis,’ she said. Some 40 groups from 23 countries were involved in Wednesday's demonstrations.
Pray: for the governments of the nations as they seek ways of mitigating the effects of the austerity measures and pray for all those who are suffering because of these problems. (Col.4:1)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20320993
European workers stage austerity protests
Workers across the European Union have staged a series of protests and strike against rising unemployment and austerity measures. Organisers of the strike urged national leaders to abandon austerity and address growing social anxiety. Strikes were in Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy, with other protests planned in Belgium, Germany, France and some eastern EU states. Airlines across Europe have been cancelling and rescheduling flights. Spain and Portugal have been particularly hit, and airlines are recommending passengers to check the schedules before travelling to airports. The European Trade Union Confederation urged workers to walk out on Wednesday. The Confederation's Judith Kirton-Darling told the BBC that austerity was not working. ‘It's increasing inequalities, it's increasing the social instability in society and it's not resolving the economic crisis,’ she said. Some 40 groups from 23 countries were involved in Wednesday's demonstrations.
Pray: for the governments of the nations as they seek ways of mitigating the effects of the austerity measures and pray for all those who are suffering because of these problems. (Col.4:1)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20320993
Russia: Religious freedom questioned
There is a ‘Pattern of Discrimination’ emerging in Russia rooted in ideology. The government and the Russian Orthodox Church view the growing dynamic congregations of evangelicals as a threat. The country's constitution states that all religions are equal before the law, but the government is often accused of discriminating against citizens professing faiths other than Orthodox Christianity. Vladimir Ryakhovsky, who runs the Slavic Center for Law & Justice, said that this year the government has given the Russian Orthodox Church 200 building permits and in many cases the government will help fund the new churches. But a recent nightmare destruction of Holy Trinity Evangelical Church by heavy machinery while police watched reflects a threatening pattern against religious freedom. Evangelicals are concerned about the growing influence of the Russian Orthodox Church within the state apparatus and accuses Vladimir Putin of tearing down walls between church and state.
Pray: for the safety and continued increase of congregations facing discrimination for their faith May they continue to meet and share with others the love of Christ. (Is.33:5)
More: http://www.charismanews.com/world/34538-church-demolished-russias-fading-religious-freedom