South Sudan: Christian Aid calls for end to violence
Christian Aid is providing relief to some of the tens of thousands of civilians displaced by fighting in South Sudan. It has called for a ‘swift end’ to the escalating inter-trible violence in the Pipor area of Jonglei state. The fighting between the Lou Nuer and Murle ethnic groups was sparked by recent cattle raids and child abductions. Christian Aid said inter-ethnic conflict in South Sudan was being fuelled by decades of underdevelopment and the proliferation of small arms in the newly independent country's largest state. The South Sudanese government has declared Jonglei a ‘human disaster area’ and has appealed for international assistance to bring the crisis to an end. Christian Aid said the emergency in Jonglei was creating a humanitarian challenge for the country. The UN estimates that more than 60,000 people have been displaced by the latest round of fighting.
Pray: for international support to help end the conflict between the ethnic groups and to promote co-operation with one another to improve conditions for their people. (Heb:12:14-15)
Afghanistan: A fledgling church
During the Taliban rule those deciding to leave Islam were considered traitors. Since the Taliban was ousted Afghan’s government has allowed a measure of liberalization in Kabul. However, the situation for Christians and converts from Islam remains difficult as the deposed ‘in hiding’ Taliban continues intimidating people and most Afghan Christians only share their faith with a few trustworthy people. But praise God many Afghans are miraculously coming to faith in Jesus Christ through divine revelations in dreams and visionsor through Christian radio and television programmes broadcasts, and in places where internet is available those who seek are able to find answers to their questions online. Last year after the nationally televised exposure of Afghan Christians on the internet, it became widely known that Afghan Christians actually exist. Others started asking questions and are beginning to seek and a number of well-educated and skilled Afghanis have begun participating in underground Christian activities.
Praise: God for new life; may they continue to find new creative ways to bring the gospel to the Afghan people and strengthen the church. (Ps.22:22)
Afghanistan: A fledgling church
During the Taliban rule those deciding to leave Islam were considered traitors. Since the Taliban was ousted Afghan’s government has allowed a measure of liberalization in Kabul. However, the situation for Christians and converts from Islam remains difficult as the deposed ‘in hiding’ Taliban continues intimidating people and most Afghan Christians only share their faith with a few trustworthy people. But praise God many Afghans are miraculously coming to faith in Jesus Christ through divine revelations in dreams and visionsor through Christian radio and television programmes broadcasts, and in places where internet is available those who seek are able to find answers to their questions online. Last year after the nationally televised exposure of Afghan Christians on the internet, it became widely known that Afghan Christians actually exist. Others started asking questions and are beginning to seek and a number of well-educated and skilled Afghanis have begun participating in underground Christian activities.
Praise: God for new life; may they continue to find new creative ways to bring the gospel to the Afghan people and strengthen the church. (Ps.22:22)
Pakistan: 40 day prayer campaign
A Christian in Pakistan writes, ‘2011 saw a turning point in the Pakistani churches freedom to pray as we conducted a 40 day prayer campaign from 1st Jan to 9th Feb 2011. God did a marvellous job when 1000 churches/ groups/ ministries and individuals in 30 cities across the country prayed for thousands of hours for the church and the nation. We received many testimonies of how the Holy Spirit led people to intercede in a new way and a new passion for the country and the people with the anointing of intercession, tears, compassion as never before experienced. It did not stop there for we also witnessed churches and ministers doing other prayer initiatives during the year after the 40 day campaign. In 2012 we have again called the Pakistani Church and saints across the country to join us in another nationwide 40 day prayer campaign from 20th February to 30th March 2012 (during lent season).’
Praise: God for the way He is opening up avenues of prayer throughout Pakistan, and ask Him for more Holy anointing on the 50 cities now signed up for 2012. Alleluia! (Ps.71:14)
More: http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Prayer-Network-Pakistan/251652868252
Pakistan: 40 day prayer campaign
A Christian in Pakistan writes, ‘2011 saw a turning point in the Pakistani churches freedom to pray as we conducted a 40 day prayer campaign from 1st Jan to 9th Feb 2011. God did a marvellous job when 1000 churches/ groups/ ministries and individuals in 30 cities across the country prayed for thousands of hours for the church and the nation. We received many testimonies of how the Holy Spirit led people to intercede in a new way and a new passion for the country and the people with the anointing of intercession, tears, compassion as never before experienced. It did not stop there for we also witnessed churches and ministers doing other prayer initiatives during the year after the 40 day campaign. In 2012 we have again called the Pakistani Church and saints across the country to join us in another nationwide 40 day prayer campaign from 20th February to 30th March 2012 (during lent season).’
Praise: God for the way He is opening up avenues of prayer throughout Pakistan, and ask Him for more Holy anointing on the 50 cities now signed up for 2012. Alleluia! (Ps.71:14)
More: http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Prayer-Network-Pakistan/251652868252
North Korea: Pray for change
Death camps as in World War II are happening right now in North Korea. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea runs a network of concentration camps where an estimated 1 million innocents have been murdered in silence and 250,000 political prisoners, one-third of them children, are currently being forced to perform slave labour on starvation rations. They are subject to systematic rape and torture, biological and chemical weapon experimentation, and summary execution. Many of them are our brothers and sisters in Christ. To follow the Lord can be a death sentence outright or you could have three generations of your family sentenced to such atrocities in the camps. Dr. Norbert Vollertsen witnessed first-hand the genocidal policies of the regime and spoke recently to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. To read a transcript of his talk click the 'More' link or watch a video message he gave to the South Korea press at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2J-qJ1CqN4'
Pray: that Kim Jong-un would listen to the international human rights demands and liberate prisoners from Political Concentration Camps; pray also for the safety of every North Korean individual regardless of religion or political beliefs. (Ps.92:89)
Afghanistan: US talks with Taliban
Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an Islamist scholar who asked his followers to back Jihadist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, is a key mediator in secret talks between the US and the Taliban according to government sources. See http://www.thehindu.com/news/article2755817.ece In 2009, Mr al-Qaradawi issued a fatwa declaring that ‘the Kashmiris were correctly fighting jihad against the Indian army,’ arguing, ‘The jihad was legitimate since mujahideen groups sought to create an Islamic state and it was incumbent on all Muslims to help Kashmiris gain their ‘freedom from Indian aggression.’ Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi is currently the Muslim Brotherhood's leading speaker and is still urging that Islam must dominate the world under a global caliphate governed by sharia. He maintains that Islam ‘will conquer Europe and will conquer America. Some are saying the Afghanistan war is unpopular and President Obama wants to run for re-election next November saying he ‘ended two wars.
Pray: that God will keep His Sovereign Hand over all political dealings in and about Afghanistan. Pray for the emergence, establishment and protection of the Afghan Church in Afghanistan. (see this week’s praise item) (Ps.41:1-2)
Somali convert from Islam whipped in public
Sofia Osman converted to Christianity 4 years ago and joined Somalia’s underground church, was jailed. She was paraded in front of a crowd of hundreds of onlooker and whipped 40 lashes in public for her faith. The Al Shabaab militia arrested Osman in November and released her on December 22nd for her public whipping. ‘Osman didn’t tell what other humiliations she had suffered while in the hands of the militants,’ an eyewitness said, adding that whipping left her bleeding. ‘I saw her faint. I thought she had died, but soon she regained consciousness and her family took her away.’ Nursing her injuries at her family’s home, in the days after the punishment she would not talk to anyone and looked dazed. This is the latest in brutal attacks by Al Shabaab which by their own statements want to eradicate Christianity from the nation.
Pray: for those persecuted and suffering all manner of injustice, torture and death for their belief in Jesus Christ. (Mt.5:10 & Ps.119:161)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/somalia/article_1342445.html
South Sudan: Tribal violence
47 were killed in tribal violence in South Sudan on Monday, the latest in a cycle of attacks that have displaced 60,000 people. A local leader and member of parliament said a youth militia from the Murle tribe attacked Duk Padyet killing young children, women and old people from the Lou Nuer tribe. ‘They did not take cattle. They were only coming for annihilation. I'm appealing for quick measures to be taken by government of the state and national government to protect the old men and women who are there,’ he said. The government and United Nations peacekeeper forces say they are struggling to protect communities in a vast area the size of Bangladesh with barely any road access. Christian Aid has begun assisting civilians displaced by inter-communal violence in South Sudan. The government in Juba has declared Jonglei a ’humanitarian disaster area’ and has appealed for international assistance to help end the crisis. See http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16096
Pray: for sustained development of the nation and peaceful co-existence between different ethnic and faith communities. (Ps.147:14)
More: http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE80G1L220120117
Nigeria: Christians & Muslims unite against Boko Haram
As Nigeria continues to deal with prolonged violence from terror sect Boko Haram, persecuted Christian and Muslim communities are beginning to work together to root out the group and curb its mounting influence and destruction in their country. Thousands of Christians and Muslims protected each other from possible terror attacks while taking prayer breaks during a protest against high fuel prices. While Muslims prayed Christians formed a protective human chain around them. The unifying events at the protest coincide with a new initiative from the Nigerian Muslim group, Concerned Citizens of Kano State, that puts Muslims in Christian churches to ease any misdirected tensions between the two religious groups. The programme seeks to eliminate the confusion that Boko Haram has created, while affirming that Muslim-Christian relations in the country have been – and can continue to be – strong. Fears of civil war escalated following Christmas Day violence last month.
Pray: for forgiveness and reconciliation where Christians have wronged Muslims and Muslims have wronged Christians; may their unity thwart the plans of their enemies. (Is.60:18)