“Reflecting over 2011, it is truly amazing what the Lord has done in response to your prayers for the USA-Mexico border. One focused prayer throughout 2011 was for the Lord to reveal what is hidden. It comes as no surprise that is exactly what happened! From uncovering drug tunnels, to drug busts, to drug kingpins arrested, stories abounded every week of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His plan for our two nations.”
2011 HIGHLIGHTS:
• 129,118 people were apprehended while trafficking drugs across the border. FIVE million pounds of drugs were confiscated in the USA, along with weapons, plus 126 MILLION dollars in "undeclared" currency[ii].
• More than 15 tunnels used for drug trafficking have been uncovered, some labeled as "most sophisticated in Arizona history'. More than 40 tunnels have been dismantled since 2008**[iii].
• US drug rings in Arizona, California and Texas broken up.
• The Sinaloa and Los Zetas cartels took major hits in 2011; many of the smaller cartels dissolved.
• Two groups of American Christian leaders had the privilege of meeting with President Felipe Calderon and members of his cabinet twice this year to receive briefings and to strengthen relationships between the USA and Mexico. This has provided greater insight into in how to pray for the issues of sex trafficking and drug and arms smuggling, which greatly affect the safety, well-being, and future of both nations.
Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name (Psalm 18:48 NIV).
PRAY:
• We have been praying every week for the capture of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, notorious leader of the Sinaloa cartel. Last Sunday Raul Fernandez - "El Lucky," head of security for the Sinaloa cartel, was captured! Pray that this arrest will lead to information that will aid in the uncovering of Guzman's whereabouts and that law enforcement will be successful in capturing Guzman.
• This week Mexican federal police arrested one of the United States' most-wanted drug traffickers, Luis Rodriguez Olivera, known by the nickname "Blondie." Pray for more information to come into the hands of law enforcement in Mexico and the U.S. to guide them in the capture of other cartel leaders.
BridgeBuilders International Leadership Network, Phoenix, AZ
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ONE MILLION Christians will be praying on April 14, 2012 for TWO BILLION children under age 15. These boys and girls represent the largest unreached people group in the world. Two-thirds live outside of Christ. Their eternity hangs in the balance.
Global 4/14 Day is April 14, 2012. This is an international day of pray and fasting for children ages 4 - 14. All kids in this demographic are known as the "4/14 Window." Why? Because during this decade or "window," most children develop their moral and spiritual foundations.
They are more open and receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 8 out of 10 people, who make a decision for Christ, do so between the ages of 4 to 14. A new website, www.Global414Day.com is now online and available in multiple languages. This is your invitation to join the movement and pray for children on Global 4/14 Day.
A coalition of Christ followers and Christian leaders from around the world, have partnered together to tell you about this event. Will you join us? Mark your 2012 calendar.
PRAY!
Steve Karges
Coordinator
Global 4/14 Day
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2012 a year of prayer for the UK.
Praying for your workplace is powerful - through prayer, organisational culture, relationships, management style, the bottom line, can all be impacted. But prayer is hard work. The group PrayerWorks seeks to support and network workplace pray-ers, sharing creative ways to pray and the stories of God's intervention, so that we don't lose heart. Instead we are re-envisioned and re-energised to come before the God who answers prayer. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to 'pray continually'. PrayerWorks is trusting that the Spirit will re-envision Christians through the celebration of answered prayer, and that we will experience a renewed awareness of God's presence and activity in our places of work. All are invited to join the journey, and let 2012 be a year of prayer for the transformation of our organisations and their impact in the world.
Pray: for God's will for commerce and industry throughout the British Isles in 2012. (1Thes.5:16-18)
Sacked for being white and Christian
A Christian couple are taking their employers to an employment tribunal claiming racial and religious discrimination and unfair dismissal. Professor Malory Nye said he was dismissed from the Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Dundee because he is white and Christian and seen by superiors as a threat to its core Muslim values. The college states its aim is to promote multiculturalism. Mr Malory said he was dismissed so he could be replaced by a Muslim. His wife Isabel alleges she was forced from her position as head of the English language centre because she attracted too many students who were not Muslims or Arabs. The independent college’s patron is the Deputy Ruler of Dubai. The couple were removed from the college grounds in June and not allowed to return. They were dismissed in November despite no evidence of any wrongdoing. Employment tribunal proceedings are expected.
Pray: for the professor and his wife to have wise legal advisers, and for justice to prevail throughout this case. (Ps.82:3)
Global: 2012 ongoing religious discrimination
Pakistan: Penal Code prohibits blasphemy against any recognized religion, providing penalties ranging from a fine to death. In practice it is only applied to Islam, calls for change in the blasphemy laws have been strongly resisted by Islamic parties. The former governor of Punjab and the Federal Minister for Minorities were assassinated in 2011 for their opposition to the blasphemy laws. Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani sits on death row for refusing to recant his Christian faith. The growing Iranian Church is continually harassed attacked and imprisoning believers. Nigeria: 1,000+ have been killed in religious and ethnic violence in Jos over the past two years between the mainly Muslim north and Christian south. Myanmar: Christians have to meet in secret , and recently persecution has been growing. South Sudan: The Sudanese army, with the support of a government-backed militia, is pursuing a genocidal campaign in South Kordofan, targeting the indigenous Christian Nuba peoples for being 'enemies of Islam'.
Pray: for God to comfort and protect Christians caught in the crossfire of religious discriminations, and for believers to be encouraged as they advance God’s Kingdom in 2012, even when it costs them everything. (2Thes.3:3)
More: http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=55401.0&dlv_id=77421
A fifth of Britons dreading the New Year
The results of a Salvation Army survey suggest it may not be such a happy New Year for some Brits after all. A Populus survey of more than 2,000 adults for the charity found that 15% of people, particularly younger respondents and divorcees, feel less able to cope with problems over Christmas. Seventy-five per cent of respondents said they planned to spend Christmas with family, although nearly a third of 18 to 24-year-olds (30%) said they would like to spend Christmas with friends. The results of the survey suggest, however, that after the Christmas decorations have been packed away for another year, some people will struggle to find something to cheer about. A fifth of respondents said they were dreading the New Year. When asked why, 11% cited money worries, 7% loneliness, and 12% concerns about the future in general.
Pray: that those who struggle with worries, loneliness and concerns about the future will find their hope in Christ. (Ro.15:13)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/a.fifth.of.britons.dreading.the.new.year/29076.htm
Israel: PA meeting in Amman
On Wednesday Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, criticized the previous day's meeting in Amman between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators as a waste of time, saying talks between negotiators were, ‘selling illusions to the Palestinian people.’ The official also condemned the Palestinian Authority's participation, saying that the ‘absurd’ meeting did not receive support from the Palestinian people. The negotiators met in Amman on Tuesday for the first direct talks in 16 months. They agreed to continue talking, with another round scheduled in Jordan next week. The Jordanian Foreign Minister said at a press conference after the meeting that the Palestinian delegation submitted proposals on border and security issues to Israel, and that the Israeli team took the proposals and said it would respond and present its ideas in a future meeting. One principle that Israel is expected to put forward is the need for an Israeli security presence along the Jordan river in any agreement.
Pray: for good faith to be throughout these negotiations, bringing the two sides closer and Israel less internationally isolated. (Ps.3:8)
More: http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=252147
China: Church ends outdoor services
The beleaguered 1,000 strong Shouwang Church in Beijing has had to worship in the park for nearly eight months since the government stopped them from worshipping in their church building. On Christmas Day they celebrated their last outdoor service after facing weekly arrests. The church leaders say that in 2012 they will renew their efforts to gain government approval to hold worship services in the building they had previously purchased.
Pray: that Beijing Christians may freely and safely worship the Lord in 2012 pray also for all Chinese believers to know God's faithfulness as he builds his Church. (Jn.4:23)
Nigeria: Harsh realities of Church bombing
The suicide bomb attack by Boko Haram on Christmas Day that left 45 people dead and 73 injured has turned the ruins of St Theresa’s Catholic Church into a national mourning site. Three of the 45 confirmed dead were policemen on guard duty at the time of the attack, and most of the others were parishioners. ‘The shock of the incident has been very traumatic for the people, and it is going to be difficult for them to recover from it – we are all still mourning. The worshippers have cause to be afraid after an incident like this, but they are strengthened by the blood of the martyrs and have not relented in attending daily Mass.’ said Rev Joseph Akor, director of communication of the Minna Diocese. President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, has tried to forestall sectarian violence by holding urgent meetings with Muslim and Christian leaders.
Pray: for the survivors to know God’s peace, for those who mourn to know His comfort and for all to resist the temptation to retaliate. (Mt.5:4-6)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/nigeria/article_1316092.html
Turkey: Ongoing court case
Middle East Concern (MEC) request prayer concerning a legal case following the murders of three Christians (Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske) at the Zirve Christian Publishing House in Eastern Turkey in 2007. Five men were arrested at the scene and charged with the murder. Their trial became complicated due to efforts to identify those behind the perpetrators. At the hearing on 16th December 2011 no verdicts were issued, contrary to expectations. However, a witness testified that he had had knowledge of a plot to murder the publishing house staff and informed the authorities one week prior to the attack. The next hearing is scheduled for 17th February 2012. Under Turkish law, those accused will be exonerated if not formally convicted and sentenced within five years. Delays beyond April 2012 may lead to the perpetrators being released. Please pray that family members and friends of the victims continue to know the peace of Jesus as the trial process continues, for justice and for the perpetrators to be identified.
Pray: for all involved to know the Spirit's enabling, equipping and assisting as they persevere to promote justice. Pray also for judges, officials, lawyers and journalists involved to hear the gospel of Jesus. (Mt.6:10)
More: www.meconcern.org