Egypt: The Muslim Brotherhood
Despite promising not to back a candidate in the upcoming presidential election the Muslim Brotherhood nominated Khairat al-Shater on March 31st saying the parliamentary elections which were dominated by Islamists ‘indicate that the Egyptian people support an Islamic state.’ Al-Shater is a millionaire businessman who in recent months developed the Brotherhood's economic policy and met the International Monetary Fund team. He has also represented the organization in meetings with ambassadors, visiting foreign officials and international investors. Observers believe Shater has a very good chance of winning the election.However, Prayer Alert has recently heard from a reliable source that two senior members of the Brotherhood are exploring Christianity.
Pray: that the Lord would raise up leaders of His choosing in Egypt, and men and women of integrity and humility to be elected to office. (Da. 2:21)
More: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june12/egypt2_04-03.html
Afghanistan: Bombs, trauma, refugees and poisoning
Militants killed four Afghan policemen and two civilians inside a police checkpoint by poisoning their yoghurt . Suicide bomb attacks continue to target government officials or military personnel killing and injuring innocent bystanders in larger numbers than the actual targets. A suicide bomb attack near a government ministry was recently discovered and prevented. If successful it could have resulted in many deaths. After thirty years of war nearly everyone in the country has experienced the death of a relative or friend and many people have been severely injured or maimed. People under thirty cannot remember a time of peace, but almost all long for a time when they can live in peace and safety. Many who have left because of war and poverty are scattered around the world starting new lives but others live as refugees struggling to survive. There are many orphans in Afghanistan.
Pray: for the organisations and churches attempting to minister to the many needs. May God bring a great harvest of people coming to faith out of this chaos.(Mt.9:37)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17597797
Mali: Holding national convention to decide junta
The military junta that seized power promised to hold a national convention to determine the country's future. Meanwhile international pressure to restore civilian rule continues. The military leaders, who overthrew Mali's democratically elected president, will invite the political class and all civil society representatives to decide what path to take ‘in a consensual manner, democratically and in all freedom, Capt. Amadou Sanogo, the junta leader, said onTuesday. Mali has a history of controversy surrounding presidential elections. Rebels have been given until Monday to hand over power or face sanctions of:- closed borders except for humanitarian purposes, - denied access to neighbouring ports - freeze regional bank accounts - suspend participation in cultural and sporting events. Historically Mali has been more threatened by tribal insurgencies than by terrorist threats and has been one of the largest recipients in the region of military training and assistance from the United States.(see this weeks INSIGHT article)
Pray: the changes and turmoil will peacefully bring about economic favour in this devastatingly poor country. May the Mali have confidence in their leaders. (Job 5:9-16)
More: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/04/world/africa/mali-unrest/index.html
Pakistan: Prayer growth and needs
Prayer Alert readers interceded with and for the church in Pakistan through 40 days of 24/7 prayer during lent. A Pakistan leader writes, ‘Thank you for your prayers. We felt God's presence and protection continually, and there is MUCH TO PRAISE GOD FOR. In one church over 2,000 people came from across the city. This is a very large number for Pakistan. The senior pastor of the host church was so impressed he decided to attempt to continue 24/7 in their church. God is at work! Many of our leaders need further encouragement, and the World Prayer Assembly is about to hold the largest prayer gathering for leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia during May 14-19. Pray that Pakistani leaders will be able to attend. A year ago it was easy for Pakistanis to get visas. This past year Pakistani Al -Qaeda carried out some actions in Indonesia so now it is difficult to get a visa for Indonesia.’
Pray: for the visas, and for more house churches of prayer in cities and rural areas across Pakistan. (Ps.102:17,18)
More: http://www.ipcprayer.org/index.cfm?&menuid=28
Open top Praise Bus to travel Olympic Torch route
Making the journey between most of the seventy overnight stops of the Olympic Torch relay will be an open top Praise Bus. This huge undertaking is an initiative of one small Methodist church, Escalls Chapel, just three miles from Lands End. The bus will travel from location to location on the same day as the Olympic Torch itself. Worship bands and Christian music groups will provide ‘an unbroken symphony of praise’. The Praise Bus is part of More Than Gold’s 70 day cascade of prayer that follows the route of the Torch Relay, encouraging churches to pray for their communities and the nations. This ambitious Praise Bus project is the vision of Tina Bonfieid, a member of Escalls Chapel which is the last outpost of Methodism on the British mainland..
Praise: God for this initiative giving praise and glory to God. (1Ch.16:24)
Open top Praise Bus to travel Olympic Torch route
Making the journey between most of the seventy overnight stops of the Olympic Torch relay will be an open top Praise Bus. This huge undertaking is an initiative of one small Methodist church, Escalls Chapel, just three miles from Lands End. The bus will travel from location to location on the same day as the Olympic Torch itself. Worship bands and Christian music groups will provide ‘an unbroken symphony of praise’. The Praise Bus is part of More Than Gold’s 70 day cascade of prayer that follows the route of the Torch Relay, encouraging churches to pray for their communities and the nations. This ambitious Praise Bus project is the vision of Tina Bonfieid, a member of Escalls Chapel which is the last outpost of Methodism on the British mainland..
Praise: God for this initiative giving praise and glory to God. (1Ch.16:24)
Illiterate man’s body healed, then God gave him ability to read Scripture
A mysterious disease left Yilma Gudini unable to walk or speak for years. One day a missionary visited his village and began to pray for his healing. There was no sign of any improvement, but the missionary persisted in returning day after day. On the eighth day, God answered. ‘The demons left me, and I could walk and speak again,’ Gudini says. ‘It was a miracle.’ On the tenth day he had one of the most vivid dreams he could recall. ‘I saw the Word of God written on the wall,’ he says. But as Gudini stared at the strange symbols lighted on the wall, something unusual happened. He could actually read the words – they made perfect sense. In his dream, he read Scripture for many hours. When Gudini awakened, something even more unusual happened. He ran to get a Bible and when he opened the pages, he could read! Gudini praised and glorified God after this second great miracle in his life.
Praise: God for His wonderful miracles. (Job.5:9)
More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39402&PN=1&TPN=1
Illiterate man’s body healed, then God gave him ability to read Scripture
A mysterious disease left Yilma Gudini unable to walk or speak for years. One day a missionary visited his village and began to pray for his healing. There was no sign of any improvement, but the missionary persisted in returning day after day. On the eighth day, God answered. ‘The demons left me, and I could walk and speak again,’ Gudini says. ‘It was a miracle.’ On the tenth day he had one of the most vivid dreams he could recall. ‘I saw the Word of God written on the wall,’ he says. But as Gudini stared at the strange symbols lighted on the wall, something unusual happened. He could actually read the words – they made perfect sense. In his dream, he read Scripture for many hours. When Gudini awakened, something even more unusual happened. He ran to get a Bible and when he opened the pages, he could read! Gudini praised and glorified God after this second great miracle in his life.
Praise: God for His wonderful miracles. (Job.5:9)
More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39402&PN=1&TPN=1
Church 'must never see older people as problems'
A respected Baptist academic has called upon churches to ensure they are a welcoming home for Britain's ageing population. Dr Roy Kearsley, of South Wales Baptist College, admitted that ageing was a challenge for church, mission and pastoral care. He said that recent headlines about poor levels of care for older people in Britain were ‘disturbing’ and indicative of a ‘social and spiritual crisis’. Recent reports, including most recently the Which? report last month, have revealed shocking levels of neglect by care workers across Britain. In some instances, older people do not have enough food and water, are forced to sleep in soiled beds, and are missing taking their medication. The study was published just days after the Royal College of Nursing declared that care homes for the elderly are in crisis. Dr Kearsley said: ‘These shocking revelations are impacting not just the elderly but also their family carers, voluntary carers and professionals of varied kinds.’
Pray: that the church would take a lead by example in support of the elderly and challenge those whose roll is care in our society. (Lev.19:32)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.must.never.see.older.people.as.problem/29576.htm
Wilberforce Academy 2012
The Wilberforce Academy 2012, organised by Christian Concern, took place last week at Exeter College, Oxford. 72 delegates, mainly consisting of students and young graduates, attended the Academy and were equipped to take the truth of Jesus Christ into the public square. The speakers, each of them experts in their respective fields, were able to demonstrate how the drift from the Christian faith has had such a destructive impact on communities and individuals in Britain. Delegates were equipped to bring Biblical teaching to bear on the pressing issues facing society and speakers such as Baroness Cox, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali and Andrea Minichiello Williams were able to speak out of experience about the cost and joys of standing for Christ’s truth in the public square. Whilst Christian viewpoints are mistakenly labelled in the media as ‘homophobic’, ‘hate speech’ or ‘intolerant’, the speakers demonstrated that Christians ought to love those who oppose them.
Pray: that the teaching the delegates received will have equipped them to take the truth into the public square. (Pr.23:15-16)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/wilberforce-academy-2012