Iran: Christians are persecuted even in cyber space
What can be concluded from increased cyber-attacks on Mohabat News website is its effectiveness in spreading news and influence across the Iranian community. However, it seems that along with development of technology, Christian persecution, especially the persecution of Iranian Christians by the Islamic regime of Iran and Islamists, has adopted a new shape and form, reports Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News. Mohabat News is a key voice of the Farsi-speaking Christian community, launched on December 9, 2010 with the primary objective of disseminating news on Christians all around the world in both Farsi and English. The website, however, was blocked by the Islamic regime's security officials two months after it was launched. Since then many attempts have been undertaken to silence Mhabat News, three of these attempts by the cyber services staff of the Islamic Republic.
Pray: that the voice for Farsi-speaking Christians will not be silenced but be set free. (1Cor.2:13)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue17616.html
Nigeria: Army 'opens fire on civilians' in Maiduguri
Nigerian troops have opened fire and burnt buildings in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, reportedly killing 30 civilians. The shootings came after a bomb blast targeting the army had injured two soldiers. On Sunday, the army said it killed 30 Boko Haram members in another north-eastern city, Damaturu. Eyewitnesses in Maiduguri said soldiers began to indiscriminately open fire on residents and set fire to homes and businesses. An Associated Press reporter in the city reportedly counted 30 bodies and 50 buildings that had been set ablaze. Unnamed nurses at the local Umaru Shehu Hospital were quoted by Reuters News Agency as saying that 30 bodies in civilian clothes had been brought in, with a further five corpses in military uniforms. ‘Initially, soldiers that came after the explosion harassed residents, whipping them,’ one person told AFP News Agency. ‘But later they went on a shooting spree and started setting homes and shops on fire.’
Pray: for peace across this nation that those who kill and maim from each side be stopped and that peace would reign. (Ps.34:14)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-19875391
Venezuela: Chavez re-elected, Christians fearful
Amid allegations of voter fraud, Hugo Chavez has won another six-year term in office with 54% of the vote. According to reports, many Venezuelans in the United States are disappointed by the news. They claim their candidate Henriques Capriles lost despite exit polls showing otherwise. Typically results of Venezuelan elections are announced the following day, but this election was announced within hours of the polls closing. Executive Director of Spanish World Ministries (SWM) Daniel Sandoval says, ‘Among the true believers, there is a sense of disappointment. There's a sense of fear about what will happen in the next few years. But, we are certain that God is in charge of whoever is president in Venezuela.’ The fear is understandable. In 2006 Chavez forced many expatriate missionaries from the tribal areas of the country. This time around, however, Chavez is sending mixed signals.
Pray: that God’s people will stay strong against any fears and disappointments. (Ps.34:4)
Recent statements by American and Libyan officials linking last month’s attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi to Islamist insurgents from northern Mali highlight the danger posed by this new terrorist haven in the middle of West Africa. A military intervention by a regional African force to take back northern Mali from the insurgents is unlikely before next year, which will allow them to solidify their control over an area the size of France.
Announcing: "Unite in prayer for Sudan / South Sudan from 19 to 21 October 2012". Take some time during these 3 days, wherever you are, to unite in prayer for Sudan/South Sudan. Prayer hub for this initiative in Khartoum. May it spread to believers in many different places in Sudan & South Sudan to many other nations.
April's tragedy: outpouring of emotion for missing five-year-old
The people of Machynlleth came together to remember April at an emotional church service last Sunday. The parish priest, the Reverend Kathleen Rogers, vowed that ‘evil will never win over the good in people’ as she praised the extraordinary love and resilience the community had shown in the face of deep despair. The Bishop of Bangor, the Right Reverend Andy John, praised the ‘extraordinary’ determination of the community. ‘You have touched the hearts of people across the world,’ he told the packed church and the hundreds gathered outside listening on loudspeakers. The congregation stood arm in arm and grasped their children's hands. Silent tears streamed down many faces. Superintendent Ian John said police remained ‘totally focused and committed to finding April’. The family and friends of the missing Welsh five-year-old April Jones have been urged to accept that their ‘sweet and innocent little girl’ is never coming home. Mr Bridger, who knew April’s family, has been charged with murder.
Pray: for April’s family and that police will find her body so that she can have a proper funeral. (Jn.10:28)
More: http://www.watoday.com.au/world/aprils-tragedy-outpouring-of-emotion-for-missing-fiveyearold-20121008-277w9.html
'First Supper' to launch new Centre for Living Christianity
The newly formed Centre for Living Christianity, dubbed CLiC for short, was launched in Edinburgh last weekend with an informal social event reflecting what it calls its ‘relaxed but thoughtful’ approach to exploring religious faith in a sceptical age. Those attending heard about the vision and plans for the new initiative, which describes itself as ‘exploring faith at the crossroads.’ The event's name is a counterpoint to the famous 'Last Supper' that Jesus Christ shared with his friends and followers the night before he faced trial and death, and the meal Christians share to participate in his risen life. ‘CLiC is for those interested in exploring how to live out Christianity in the modern world, in a way which is thoughtful and faithful,’ says the Rev Donald Reid. ‘It is about how to understand Christianity from the margins of a society which is both diversely spiritual and secular.’
Pray: for the CLiC initiative and that it may encourage and support many as they seek to live a Christian life. (Lk.9:23)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17109
Married couples 'will be in the minority by 2050’
Married couples will be in the minority in little more than a generation, a new report has claimed. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) found marriage was increasingly the preserve of the middle and upper classes, while only about 50 per cent of new parents on low incomes were married this rose to nearly 80 per cent for couples earning £21,000 By 2050, families headed by married couples will be in the minority, according to the think tank set up by Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary. The CSJ criticised the Government’s ‘failure’ to do more to tackle family breakdown, saying it was ‘deeply dismayed by the lack of progress’ since the Coalition was formed in 2010. Tim Loughton, until recently Minister for Children, said ‘the Government needs to get family policy back on track and ‘rediscover’ its commitment to family stability. ‘We fail to do so at our peril, socially and economically.’
Pray: for the ‘family’ as a unit and for the Government to provide much stronger support for families. (Pr.18:22)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9593369/Married-couples-will-be-in-the-minority-by-2050.html
Yorkshire churches enter groundbreaking partnership
Anglican and Methodist churches in Yorkshire have entered into a groundbreaking regional partnership.
The Church of England and Methodist Church nationally have been committed to greater cooperation since signing a national covenant in 2003, but this is the first time a covenant has been signed between the two Churches at regional level in Britain. The Covenant Area Partnership, between the Leeds Methodist District and the Ripon and Leeds Anglican Diocese was inaugurated at a special celebration at Trinity Methodist Church in Harrogate last Saturday. The partnership covers 85 Anglican parishes and 65 Methodist churches who will work together in mission and ministry, and consult each other on the deployment of staff and resources throughout the region. ‘The lives of both Churches have already been greatly enriched by our determination to work, worship and grow together,’ said the Rev Julian Pursehouse, ‘It is a fantastic opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to one another and to live out our calling to serve our communities in a more dynamic and coherent way.’
Pray: for this new partnership and for those tasked with making it work. (Heb.10:25 )
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/yorkshire.churches.enter.groundbreaking.partnership/30752.htm
Colombia: Pastors being assassinated
20-30 Church leaders are assassinated each year in Columbia. The most recent murder was of pastor Henry Rodriguez, 44, who was shot dead as he left United Pentecostal Church in Bogota’s afternoon service on September 16th .The reasons behind the murder are unknown but it was carried out by what appeared to be professional hit men using a moped, a method commonly used in professional hits in Colombia. While the assassination of a pastor is extremely unusual in Bogota, countrywide church leaders are frequently targeted by illegal armed groups. The Colombian Council of Evangelical Churches Peace said leaders are targeted because of their refusal to cooperate or support the objectives of the illegal armed groups; however, the reasons behind the murder of Pastor Rodriguez are unclear, as he had not reported receiving any threats prior to Sunday. Rodriguez, who was on course to graduate from seminary in October, is survived by his wife and three children. CSW is calling for a full investigation.
Pray: that the Colombian authorities would carry out a full investigation into this and similar assassinations and for those responsible to be brought to justice. (Ps.45:3-5)
More: http://blog.godreports.com/2012/09/pastor-shot-dead-in-colombia-where-20-30-are-assassinated-each-year/#more-2209