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
Catastrophic failings in schizophrenia care
A Schizophrenia Commission report said care for people with schizophrenia requires a major overhaul. Patients spend too long in ‘demoralised and dysfunctional’ hospital wards costing £12bn a year. Schizophrenia affects thinking, feeling and behaviour. There is a need for more early intervention teams to help people before their hallucinations or delusions become severe. Teams are being cut or diluted at the moment and secure care took 19% of the 2011 mental health budget with many people staying too long in expensive units. In inner cities secure units were compared to mental institutions with nurses often overwhelmed. Better use of ‘recovery houses’ providing an alternative to hospital admission are needed. Schizophrenia affects 1 in every 100 people. Schizophrenia is believed to make people violent, but people with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of violence by others. Pray for people with mental health problems to have the same dignified care as anyone else.
Pray: that the Government would consider mental health a priority and improve out-patient care and in-patient units. (Is.32:4, 17-18)
75,000 children without homes at Christmas
More than 75,000 children in Britain will wake up on Christmas Day without a home, warns the housing and homelessness charity Shelter as spending on homelessness falls. Shelter is highlighting the figures to raise awareness of the increasing numbers of homeless families in Britain this Christmas and is particularly concerned about the number of families forced to live in bed and breakfast accommodation, which has increased by 57 per cent in the last 12 months. This can mean parents and children living together in one room, with limited cooking or laundry facilities in conditions that are often appalling. This year more than 3,000 children will spend Christmas Day living in this way, says Shelter. In Dec 2011, Shelter helped more than 1,000 people facing homelessness during the festive period. This Christmas, the number of people with nowhere else to turn is expected to be even higher. The main triggers for homelessness include relationship breakdowns, job losses and landlords ending rental tenancies.
Pray: for all those who will be homeless this Christmas that God through His people will be their Provider. (Tit.3:14)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17368
Christianity not necessarily for public good
The Charity Commission, Britain’s charity watchdog has put the charitable status of the nation’s churches in question after it ruled that a congregation in Devon did not exist for public benefit. Under charity law, churches and other organisations must show that their existence has some form of ‘public benefit.’ But in a letter to the Plymouth Brethren, the Charity Commission explained its refusal to grant charitable status to one of the denomination’s churches in Devon. Head of legal services for the Commission, Kenneth Dibble, stated: ‘This decision makes it clear that there was no presumption that religion generally, or at any more specific level, is for the public benefit, even in the case of Christianity or the Church of England.’ A committee of MPs is currently investigating the Charity Commission. Some of these MPs have expressed concern that the Charity Commission is engaged in a ‘politically correct’ campaign aimed at suppressing Christianity.
Pray: that the investigation into the Charity Commission will over-ruleand the understanding that the role of churches is not of public benefit should be reversed. (Heb.8:3)
Thousands of Muslims receive 'Bible Chip'
Bringing the Gospel to the Middle East is a risky enterprise, but the Bible Chip, developed by Bible League International and the Digital Bible Society, reduces this risk significantly. It’s a small data card of the size of a stamp that contains several Bible translations, audio files, hundreds of books, and over 200 hours of video on evangelism and discipleship, all in Arabic. It’s programmed not to leave any traces on a PC or mobile phone. Wagih Abdelmassih, pastor of the Agape Arabic Christian Centre (AACC) in London, calls the Bible Chip an answer to prayer. He distributed thousands of copies to Arabic speaking visitors to last summer’s Olympic Games. While printed Bibles would not be easily accepted, the Bible Chip turned out to be a much wanted gift. During one-on-one conversations a total of 12,600 Arab Muslims received a Bible Chip. Source: Joel news
Praise: God for the opportunities we have to use digital media to spread His Word. (2Tim.2:8-9)
More: http://digitalbiblesociety.com/DBS2010/english/index.htm
Thousands of Muslims receive 'Bible Chip'
Bringing the Gospel to the Middle East is a risky enterprise, but the Bible Chip, developed by Bible League International and the Digital Bible Society, reduces this risk significantly. It’s a small data card of the size of a stamp that contains several Bible translations, audio files, hundreds of books, and over 200 hours of video on evangelism and discipleship, all in Arabic. It’s programmed not to leave any traces on a PC or mobile phone. Wagih Abdelmassih, pastor of the Agape Arabic Christian Centre (AACC) in London, calls the Bible Chip an answer to prayer. He distributed thousands of copies to Arabic speaking visitors to last summer’s Olympic Games. While printed Bibles would not be easily accepted, the Bible Chip turned out to be a much wanted gift. During one-on-one conversations a total of 12,600 Arab Muslims received a Bible Chip. Source: Joel news
Praise: God for the opportunities we have to use digital media to spread His Word. (2Tim.2:8-9)
More: http://digitalbiblesociety.com/DBS2010/english/index.htm
Update on revival spreading throughout Egypt
During the first weekend in Oct, 10,000 young people gathered in the desert 60 miles north of Cairo to sing, pray and worship the Lord. (See Prayer Alert 43-2012) The youth gathering was followed up with an even larger event at the same location - on Oct 25-28 ‘Count It Right’ Christian rally which drew 45,000 people. Included in the numbers reported by a Christian leader are: • 25,000 - estimated number of people who gave their lives to Jesus: • 8,000 - cards filled out by people who requested follow-up visits by churches: • 2-3 million - estimated number of people who followed the rally on two Christian satellite channels: • 1,000 - children participating in a special programme prepared for them: • 5,000 - people attending a one-day parallel festival on Oct. 25 in the Coptic Orthodox Cave Church: • 6,000 - people attending another similar gathering from different churches on Oct 28 in Assiut, a city located six hours south of Cairo. ‘Big numbers, but most important of all, a great harvest!' Source: via email. See also ‘More’ link.
Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit among the Egyptian people. (2Cor.13:14)
More: http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5138667adad5222600bae0e66&id=80671a63ac&e=947657d957#mctoc1
Update on revival spreading throughout Egypt
During the first weekend in Oct, 10,000 young people gathered in the desert 60 miles north of Cairo to sing, pray and worship the Lord. (See Prayer Alert 43-2012) The youth gathering was followed up with an even larger event at the same location - on Oct 25-28 ‘Count It Right’ Christian rally which drew 45,000 people. Included in the numbers reported by a Christian leader are: • 25,000 - estimated number of people who gave their lives to Jesus: • 8,000 - cards filled out by people who requested follow-up visits by churches: • 2-3 million - estimated number of people who followed the rally on two Christian satellite channels: • 1,000 - children participating in a special programme prepared for them: • 5,000 - people attending a one-day parallel festival on Oct. 25 in the Coptic Orthodox Cave Church: • 6,000 - people attending another similar gathering from different churches on Oct 28 in Assiut, a city located six hours south of Cairo. ‘Big numbers, but most important of all, a great harvest!' Source: via email. See also ‘More’ link.
Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit among the Egyptian people. (2Cor.13:14)
More: http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=5138667adad5222600bae0e66&id=80671a63ac&e=947657d957#mctoc1
Ari Bhod which is sponsored by the Venice Community Agape International Spiritual Center.
"They shall be turned back and be utterly put to shame, who trust in idols, who say to their molten images, you are gods." Isaiah 42:17
"To whom can I give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they can not hear. The Word of the LORD is offensive to them. They dress the wound of My people as though it were not serious. Peace, peace, they say when there is no peace." Jeremiah 6:14
"O YHWH, the nations have invaded Your inheritance...
The Tibetan sand mandalas being built as offerings to their gods are of particular concern because of their desire to empower connections between the Media and politics through the invocation of powerful demonic entities and territorial possession. We have watched the emergence of Tibetan Buddhism in America over the last twenty-five years and are gravely concerned over the proliferation of Tibetan teams building mandalas coinciding with the 2012 Presidential Election. We have never seen so many made in such a short time, which is a cause for alarm as where ever we've seen them built, disaster is soon to follow. We pray that the harvest will not be spoiled, but that we may still see many souls saved. We pray that the intrigues of the LORD's enemies be their downfall.
A prophecy given by a Kenyan years ago, predicted civil war would soon come to our land. As a Christian he cautioned us not to be involved in bloodshed against our neighbors. We are in fact to pray for and love our enemies as ourselves, a high and holy command from Yeshua, one that is only possible through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
As Christians we know that we battle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in heavenly places. That our weapons are NOT carnal, but spiritual for the pulling down of strongholds. You know the rising dangers of modern sophisticated witchcraft and well organized funded Tibetan Buddhist machinery which is introducing idolatry into America at an unprecedented scale never before witnessed. We have many Tibetan Christian friends who have been persecuted for being followers of Jesus. We long for many more Tibetans to know Yeshua. This demands fervent prayer AND repentance for much of the church has opened the door to the darkness of Tibetan Buddhism embracing it as a cultural and spiritual experience. One cannot take burning coals next to one's chest and not be burnt. Idolatry is expressly forbidden in the Word. Pray for more teaching in the Church against idolatry.
Jeremiah said, "And though the LORD has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid attention. They said, "Turn now, each of you from your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the LORD gave to you and your fathers forever and ever. Do not follow after other gods to serve and worship them; do not provoke Me to anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you. But you did not listen to Me with what your hands have made and you have brought harm to yourselves." Jeremiah 24:4-7.
1. Pray for repentance for the lack of discernment in the Church, magistrates, and public about the dangers of modern sophisticated idolatry.
2. Pray for the opening of the eyes of those blinded by the enemies of YHWH. Pray against the spread of Buddhism, Islam, secularism and idolatry.
3. Pray for our president that he would be convicted of his sin and come to repentance. Pray for him and his wife and family’s safety, total health.
4. Pray for all those who have won election to public office to be men and women of integrity seeking to serve the people with noble motives.
5. Pray that the people of the US would return to God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. Pray for the spirit of intercession to fall upon the land.
Strategy: Every week, two nations are encouraged to mobilize all Christians to stand in the gap to pray for their nation: the national Christians, expats, missionaries and mission agencies working in that nation, and churches that are supporting missionaries in that nation. Every nation is encouraged to take 2 weeks of extra-ordinary and non-stop prayer for their nation, one week every 6 months.
- Encouraging believers to come together in larger groups (where possible) to have extended times of prayer.
- Encouraging believers to have prayer rooms or prayer watches where all 168 hours of the week can be covered in prayer.
- Encourage Christians from other nations to send prayer teams to those nations during the specific week.
Every nation use all possible means to mobilize the church in their own country.
Prayer focus for the first 6 months: the Church
1. Establishing new believers in Christ (Phil. 4:19)
2. Salvation of unsaved and church that will take Matt. 28:19-20 seriously.
3. An outpouring of the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication on the church (Zec. 12:10).
4. That God will fill the church with the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:28-31; Eph. 5:18).
5. For the church to reach out to the poor and needy as well as the social need and pain in their communities (Eph. 2:10; Isa. 58).
Prayer focus for the second 6 months: Godly leadership in the church and establishing of the kingdom of God in all spheres of society
For more information, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Information also available in Arabic, French, and Farsi.