Ten days ago workers on a boat off the coast of North Korea launched helium-filled scripture balloons that floated over the country declaring God's truth and promises. Coincidently as the workers prepared to leave the area Kim Jong Il died of a heart attack We can pray that as the word of God was lifted high over the dark land of North Korea His spirit would now cover and pierce the darkness over and in the land. While the world speculates about the future of North Korea, may we continue to intercede for those who face brutal persecution, imprisoned in labour ‘death’ camps and subjected to starvation and torture. Sister Yang was tortured for a month after being suspected of being a Christian. A woman sitting near Sister Yang had overheard her praying quietly and reported her to the authorities.‘They beat me with a shovel,’ Sister Yang told Voice of the Martyers, ‘Eventually my whole body had turned blue.’

Pray: for many in North Korea to know about Jesus Christ. Pray also for missionaries to continue to be protected as they bring His light to the darkest of places. (Ps.5:11-12)

More: http://etools.vomusa.org/a/vomso/bg_vomso_wdbm-20111220-YearEnd_443.html

As we celebrated Christ’s birth on the 25th, Christians in Homs were afraid to leave their homes in case they were shot by troops surrounding the city. A contact in Homs said, ‘Everyone is afraid of huge massacres and ethnic violence. There has been no electricity for a week and no fuel for heating. No one goes out because he will die. It’s a terrible situation. We trust that Emmanuel is still with us. On the night of the 26th Homs State television spoke of observers meeting the governor of Homs acting with, ‘ unexpected haste’ while the situation in Homs became critical. Activists posted videos of a four day assault with footage showing twisted and bleeding bodies in the streets. On the 27th tens of thousands of protesters bravely thronged the streets of Homs calling for the execution of President Bashar Assad shortly after his army pulled its tanks back and allowed Arab League monitors into the city.

Pray: for the peace of Christ to enter the hearts of the people in Homs and for all that needs to be revealed in Syria to be observed. (Ps.52)

More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iTOFpDQBI_4mEpl5HpEAKq0CnrhQ?docId=0ec767fd6560400790ab88d9a43e088

A missionary within the area writes, ‘A blessed 2012 to all of you! May the Lord’s favour shine on you this coming year. Please remember the people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City, north Mindanao, as thousands have spent Christmas and New Year in evacuation centres after the damage done by Typhoon Washi. First-hand reports ask for prayer for the emergency workers, especially those who are ministering in trauma care. The people are still traumatised by the sudden onslaught of the typhoon. Many more trained counsellors are still needed apart from actual relief work and supplies. The other issue is the threat of viral infections in the overcrowded evacuation centres. The government of Iligan City has already sent home the evacuees to be managed and cared for by their home villages because of this threat. There are still many more stuck in the evacuation centres with no place to go.'

Pray: for the many Christians caught up in this disaster to know God's provision and enabling to reach out with His love to their neighbours. (Ps.23:4)

More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2011/12/2011122752635220496.html

There is international condemnation of the Christmas Day bomb attacks in Nigeria that killed nearly forty. The White House said the attacks were ‘senseless violence', the British foreign secretary called them ‘cowardly.’ Islamist group Boko Haram said it carried out the attacks. A blast outside a church claimed 35 lives, a police officer died in the city of Jos and four people died in Damaturu. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said the attacks were an unwarranted affront on Nigeria’s collective safety and freedom. The White House said the attacks were ‘terrorist acts,’ and pledged to help Nigeria bring those responsible to justice. The German Foreign Minister said, ‘Even on Christmas Day, the world is not spared from cowardice and the fear of terrorism.’ Israel is sending medical aid to Nigeria and ‘condemned in the strongest terms these attacks carried out on Christmas Day.’

Pray: for Christians to be reassured and comforted, and pray that God will work through the international community and the Nigerian government to prevent further violence. (Ps.23:5-6)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2011/s11120116.htm