South Sudan: Crisis looming
More than 50% of South Sudan is facing food shortages due to continuing conflict with Sudan. There are fears the situation in the South is worsening because of clashes along the contested border regions, inter-communal violence and the closure of oil production in a row over transit fees with Khartoum. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18082150 In the Nuba mountains where 90% of the population is Christian there is indiscriminate bombing by the Sudanese government due to the area being held by the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army. Consequently health workers and aid agencies are prevented from delivering vital supplies to over a million who have fled the fighting in South Sudan. There are fears that outbreaks of infectious diseases could prove devastating to children weakened by hunger and upheaval.
Pray: for the UN to implement unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas and for missionaries to experience God’s enabling in every situation.(Ps.140:1-4)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/20/conflict-nuba-mountains-epidemics
Mexico: Christian war against cartels
Decapitation, rape, murder, mass corruption and national chaos is the fruit in Mexico of America’s illicit drug use. A Mexican offensive against drug cartels has raged since President Felipe Calderon took power in 2006 making a crackdown on drug cartels the hallmark of his six-year term, which expires later this year. However in a wide perception that the crackdown has not worked his party is losing hope for re-election. Mexico has a high percentage of Christian believers in the population and over past years hundreds of prayer vigils, walks and demonstrations have been held regarding the corruption, terror and drug wars in the land. On Sunday soldiers arrested the perpetrator of the decapitation and dismembering of 49 people dumped on a highway last week. Graffiti sprayed at the scene of the corpses showed the mark of the Zetas, who are fighting for control of the region. Their empire consists of hired killers, smugglers, kidnapers, extortionists and of people involved in then the crude oil industry.
Pray: for prayers against corruption to be answered and for God’s chosen president to lead the country out of immorality and corruption.(Is.1:23-26)
Pakistan: Baseless allegations against Christian
Police in Pakistan charged a young Christian man with blasphemy after an argument with Muslims over a billiards game in Punjab Province’s Sheikhupura district. Sajid Inayat, aged 20 was arrested on Friday (May 18th) and charged with desecrating the Quran under the country’s controversial blasphemy laws. Section 295-B makes wilful desecration of the Qur'an or use of an extract in a derogatory manner punishable with life imprisonment. His relatives told Compass by telephone that he had been falsely accused after an argument with some local Muslim boys over a billiards game just two days before the alleged incident. On Friday he met the Muslim boys with whom he had previously squabbled, they accused him of setting alight ‘holy pages’ placed in a box on an electricity pole. He asked them why he would do such a thing. An argument ensued, a mob gathered and he was arrested. There are no witnesses to the charges made against Inayat.
Pray: that the truth would come out, true justice would be done, and an unjust law would be abolished.(Ps.119:86)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/article_1550261.html
Indonesia: closure of 17 churches
The election of Zaini Abdullah, a hard-line Islamic governor of the militant Aceh Party in Indonesia's Aceh Province has opened the way for a crack-down on the minority Christian community. Seventeen churches were sealed shut in early May. Emboldened by the election result hundreds of Islamists demanded that area church buildings not only be sealed, but also demolished. Christian leaders said that applications for Church permits are routinely delayed or denied and the sealing demands were based on a debatable agreement that Christians were forced to sign in 2001, mandating only one church and four chapels in the regency. The number had grown to 22. Of the 17 churches closed 11 belong to the Protestant Christian Church of Pakpak Dairi. The mob demanded the demolition of church buildings and an acting regent agreed to the demand with the police chief supporting him, saying the time for dialogue was past.
Pray: for God to build His Church,and bring to maturity a myriad of Christian communities in Aceh Province.(Ps.119:86)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/indonesia/article_1541045.html
Palestine: Hope in the midst of conflict
Six hundred participants came to Bethlehem from nearly two dozen countries for the recent ‘Christ at the Checkpoint’ conference. Considered a breakthrough by conference organizer Bethlehem Bible College, they focused on ‘the ministry of the Palestinian Church in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.’ The organizers say the conference exceeded all expectations, and for the first time a broad spectrum of evangelical believers met literally at the ‘checkpoint,’ and engaged biblically on issues that have historically divided them. Topics included, Christian Zionism, Islam, justice, non-violence, and reconciliation. The themes created an ongoing forum for Christian peacemaking within the context of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Issues were discussed through Bible study, interactive workshops, panels and site visits. A unique aspect of the conference was the presence of and presentations by members of the Messianic community who provided an integral contribution to the dialogue.
Praise: for The Kingdom of God to come through peace, justice and reconciliation in Palestine and Israel. (Mat.5:23,24)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12050090.htm
Palestine: Hope in the midst of conflict
Six hundred participants came to Bethlehem from nearly two dozen countries for the recent ‘Christ at the Checkpoint’ conference. Considered a breakthrough by conference organizer Bethlehem Bible College, they focused on ‘the ministry of the Palestinian Church in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.’ The organizers say the conference exceeded all expectations, and for the first time a broad spectrum of evangelical believers met literally at the ‘checkpoint,’ and engaged biblically on issues that have historically divided them. Topics included, Christian Zionism, Islam, justice, non-violence, and reconciliation. The themes created an ongoing forum for Christian peacemaking within the context of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Issues were discussed through Bible study, interactive workshops, panels and site visits. A unique aspect of the conference was the presence of and presentations by members of the Messianic community who provided an integral contribution to the dialogue.
Praise: for The Kingdom of God to come through peace, justice and reconciliation in Palestine and Israel. (Mat.5:23,24)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12050090.htm
Indonesia: 2.5 million cry out in unity
More than 100,000 Indonesians prayed on Thursday night at the Jakarta National Stadium, while believers in 378 other Indonesian cities prayed at the same time in their homes and churches around television screens via CBN Indonesia who screened the event. ‘More than 2.5 million Indonesians cried out to God to send His Holy Spirit to the nation,’ said Dr Bambang Widjaya of World Prayer Assembly. The prayer rally of leaders from various denominations and global ministries called for greater unity among churches. ‘There is tremendous power in unity,’said Enoch Adeboye pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God. It's that unity that organizers say will bring lasting spiritual change to the country. Cindy Jacobs from Generals International said, ‘God gave me a prophetic word that as a result of this there is going to be a new missions movement start that would literally go to every tongue, tribe and kindred.’
Praise: God for the new life birthed in Indonesia last week; may unity in prayer and mission grow across the nations.(Mt.24:14)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/May/Indonesia-Believers-Cry-Out-to-God-in-Historic-Rally/
Indonesia: 2.5 million cry out in unity
More than 100,000 Indonesians prayed on Thursday night at the Jakarta National Stadium, while believers in 378 other Indonesian cities prayed at the same time in their homes and churches around television screens via CBN Indonesia who screened the event. ‘More than 2.5 million Indonesians cried out to God to send His Holy Spirit to the nation,’ said Dr Bambang Widjaya of World Prayer Assembly. The prayer rally of leaders from various denominations and global ministries called for greater unity among churches. ‘There is tremendous power in unity,’said Enoch Adeboye pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God. It's that unity that organizers say will bring lasting spiritual change to the country. Cindy Jacobs from Generals International said, ‘God gave me a prophetic word that as a result of this there is going to be a new missions movement start that would literally go to every tongue, tribe and kindred.’
Praise: God for the new life birthed in Indonesia last week; may unity in prayer and mission grow across the nations.(Mt.24:14)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/May/Indonesia-Believers-Cry-Out-to-God-in-Historic-Rally/
Thanks so much for your strong prayers for the WPA. It was an awesome time in the presence of the Lord that we believe is sending out the “New Wave” of His Spirit through the prayers of the 9000 participants from 86 nations and the millions of those who also took part on May 17 in 378 cities of Indonesia and around the world through satellite TV and Internet. You can see the plenary sessions on the WPA website www.wpa2012.org under "media" and also the May 17 stadium event will be rebroadcast this Sunday, May 27, as part of the Global Day of Prayer.
May we ask you to give thanks to the Lord and also continue this journey in prayer with us and to intercede for the following things as we all move forward into the coming season:
1. Give thanks to the Lord for all the magnificent things He did among us. His presence was so strong and enabled many, many connections and outcomes for His Kingdom as prayer, mission, marketplace leaders along with youth and children met to seek His face and pray for our world last week in Jakarta.
2. Give thanks for the Indonesian national committee and pray for their continued unity, humility and good working relationship so that the My Home Project (Indonesians adopting their streets, offices, schools, etc. for prayer and loving action to neighbours and colleagues) will prosper and spread to all the islands, cities and towns of the nation and around the world.
3. Pray for all 9000 participants as they return home that the fire of His Spirit will continue to be upon them and that they will be carriers of His glory, implementing what He has given them to do for their own families, towns and nations.
4. Pray for this great tsunami of the Spirit, a new Pentecost, to sweep over all nations, bringing His revival and transformation in ways we cannot even imagine as people catch the vision of united prayer and the actions that flow from it in mission and the marketplace. We are already getting some initial reports about this happening, praise God!
May the Lord bless and encourage you that He has answered and will answer all our prayer.
Yours in Christ,
John Robb
For the International Coordination Team
Chuck Colson, known worldwide for founding Prison Fellowship and several other ministry outreaches, has gone home to be with the Lord.
Intercessors for America at one point in our history shared office space with Prison Fellowship in Reston, VA. Intercessors for America laments the passing of Chuck Colson and will miss his wonderful insights into the world as to how Christians should decipher world events and be salt and light in a world that needs Jesus. IFA's Executive Chairman of the Board John D. Beckett hosted a memorable interview with Chuck Colson a few years back entitled LIVING THE GOSPEL/DEFENDING THE TRUTH where they addressed the topics of Biblical Worldview, Islam vs. Christianity, the Role of the Church in this Society, the Role of Democracy, and the War on Terror among other subjects.
On March 31, the 80-year-old Colson had surgery for a pool of blood on the surface of his brain. In the days following surgery, he seemed to improve slightly each day but took a turn for the worse late Tuesday (April 17). Family members were called to his bedside. He passed away Saturday afternoon shortly after 3:00 p.m. (Eastern) at a northern Virginia hospital.
In a tribute by Dr. Michael Milton with Reformed Theological Seminary he says, "Chuck Colson was truly a new man. His life forever will be remembered, not in a legacy of political intrigue, but with a legacy of new life in Jesus Christ that overflowed to the world with a robust intellect and dynamic message lived out in a heart of deep, demonstrable compassion. Yet the new life that transforms old legacies of shame into legacies of faithfulness is available to all who call, like Chuck, on the name of Jesus Christ in repentance and faith."
Pray for Chuck's family and for Prison Fellowship Ministries. Give thanks to the Lord for a wonderful testimony in a life redeemed by the hand of God. Please keep the prisoners that Chuck left behind in your prayers as the Lord leads.
"And he did not permit him but said to him, 'Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.'"(Mark 5:19)