USA: Couple fined for holding Bible study in own home
Chuck and Stephanie Fromm have been fined for holding Bible studies in their home in Southern California. According to City officials they are in violation of a municipal code prohibiting ‘religious, fraternal or non-profit’ organisations in residential neighbourhoods without a permit. Without warning they were fined in May, then again in June, for $300 dollars and appeals were denied because they need a ‘Conditional Use Permit.’ Without the permit they face $500 for each additional gathering. A conditional use permit is costly and difficult to obtain as it requires traffic and environmental impact reports and making the home accessible to wheelchairs. The President of the Pacific Justice Institute said, ‘Informal gathering in a home cannot be treated with suspicion by the government just because it is religious. We cannot allow this to happen in America, and we will fight as long and as hard as it takes to restore this group’s religious freedom.’
Pray: for common sense to prevail and for God to use this situation positively for the community. (Ps.11:7)
Kyrgyzstan: Uzbek minister calls for Kyrgyz violence probe
In an address to the UN General Assembly Uzbekistan's deputy prime minister and foreign minister said ethnic tensions between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz will not be resolved until there is a full investigation into last year's clashes between the two sides and perpetrators of bloodshed are punished. A statement issued on Sept 26th said it was ‘a serious challenge to peace and stability in the Central Asian region, with no legal or political steps taken so far towards those who ordered, organised and perpetrated last year's violence.’ More than 400 people were killed in fighting between ethnic Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in the Osh and Jalal-Abad regions of Kyrgyzstan in June 2010, while an estimated 375,000 were displaced from their homes. Most victims were ethnic Uzbeks.
Pray: for thorough investigations into the bloodshed, workable resolutions to ethnic conflict, and healing for the emotionally and spiritually wounded. (Ps.103:6)
More: http://www.rferl.org/content/kyrgyzstan_uzbekistan_ethnic_violence_un/24341036.html
Laos: Officials convert church into school
Authorities in Laos forcibly confiscated a church building in Savannakhet Province on Sept. 14th ‘because the church didn’t apply for a building permit'. The authorities generally ignore a lack of building permit if religious groups cause no problems. Officials posted soldiers on guard, moved in desks and chairs and converted the 212-member congregation’s building into a government school. Christians are no longer allowed onto the property. The confiscation of Dongpaiwan church came after officials in a neighbouring village evicted ten Christians from shelters they had built on their rice paddies. They could only return if they gave up their faith. Forced renunciations of faith along with detentions, surveillance, harassment and confiscation of property has kept Laos on the ‘watch list’ of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and clearly identified ethnic minority Protestants in Laos as the primary target of such violations.
Pray: for the Lord to strengthen Laotian Christians, show them the way forward and miraculously provide for their needs. (Is.33:2)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/laos/article_120877.html
Tunisia: Muslim bid to turn Christian site into a mosque
A Muslim group of about 20 attempted to take over a Christian basilica in Tunisia – a sign of the growing threat to the country’s small Church in the wake of the revolution. On 16th Sept the group went to the Roman site with the aim of turning it into a mosque, arguing that it was a place of Muslim worship before it reverted to a basilica in 1966. A spokesman said the group went there to prepare the place for Friday prayers but police dispersed them. They were invited to make an official request to the faith ministry but as things stand the monument remains a basilica. The incident is a worrying sign of what may befall Tunisia’s small Christian community if the country’s future is shaped by an Islamic agenda, as seems likely. There is increasing public imposition of Islam in the country - forced veiling of women, forced prayer and condemnations for apostasy.
Pray: for God to prevail over Tunisia’s transition to democracy and the constitutional assembly that will be elected on 25th October. (Is.25:3,4a)
Egypt: 100,000 Christians have left since March
In a pattern that follows the exodus of Christians from several Middle Eastern countries a reported 100,000 Coptic believers have left Egypt since the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak. The report on emigration of Christians was sent to the Egyptian cabinet and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces warning that this emigration has been prompted by the escalating intimidation and attacks on Christians by Islamists. Emigrating Copts from professional and business classes are not prompted by their need for work, but from fear of the hard line Salafists. Constitutional amendments and Salafist intention to implement Hudud laws (Sharia-based punishments, which include capital punishment by sword/crucifixion, stoning, amputation and flogging). Copts also have to pay the jizya (tax paid by non-Muslims to the state) because they are not first class citizens and can never enjoy full citizenship rights, or obtain sensitive posts. Also churches are being attacked and Christians killed.
Pray: for protection and provision for Egyptian Copts and through a future of hope within a democratic constitution. (Pr.23:15)
Israel settlement plans condemned
The European Union and the United States have condemned Israeli plans for the construction of 1,100 new housing units in occupied East Jerusalem as being counterproductive to negotiations on peace talks with the Palestinians. They responded sharply to the Israeli interior ministry's announcement on Tuesday that it had approved plans for the new housing units in Gilo, an illegal settlement enclave in southeast Jerusalem. The ministry said construction could begin after a mandatory 60-day period for public comment, a process that is largely a formality. Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said that the settlement plans were ‘counter-productive to our efforts to resume direct negotiations between the parties’. Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, condemned the Israeli decision, saying it amounted to ‘1,100 no's to the resumption of peace talks’. He urged the US to change its position and support the Palestinians in their quest for full UN membership.
Pray: for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian situation, with acceptable boundaries and a lasting cease-fire.(2Ch.7:14).
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/09/201192851113137636.html
Many countries across Asia are encountering severe flooding and loss of lives. In Thailand, the situation is getting worse in many provinces (at least 25 provinces of the 77 provinces).
“It just gets worse” (that is the headline of the Bangkok Post online edition yesterday: www.bangkokpost.com). To date, according to the Bangkok Post report, 212 people died, and the situation probably will get worse as most of the mountainous areas are fully saturated and just getting ready to cause major mudslides. At least 3-4 more storms will be heading towards Thailand.
ALL the dams in Thailand are beyond capacities. Even though most of them are still able to take in more but not for long. It is just like a big catastrophe in waiting to happen anytime all across the countries where these dams are located. They must release the water but at the expense of inundating thousands of villagers. The worst thing is that the sea level will be at its highest in the middle of October.
Thank you again for your contributions and prayer.
Wonderful progress has been made in engaging the remaining unreached people groups of our world. For more information, please check out this website:
http://www.finishingthetask.com/videos.html#Table71
Pray for these unreached people groups and that Christian workers will hear His call to go to them and be effective in sharing Christ’s Good News in a culturally appropriate and spiritually powerful way.
We have received this urgent prayer concern:
“Please pray for Joshua. He is in his late 20’s, married for 4 months, and has now been in prison in Kabul for three weeks. He is charged with not paying a sub-contractor, false accusations as far as I know. He and his wife are from the US. She is a teacher here. Very tough situation for both of them.”
Let’s pray that he will be exonerated and released as soon as possible.
Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you for your prayers for the Silk Road region! They are vital to see God’s purposes established in these strategic nations in this important time in history!
Read below for up-to-date information on how to pray for each nation:
Afghanistan
Recently in Kabul, terrorists have attacked the most secure and heavily guarded places--the Intercontinental Hotel, the American Embassy, the NATO Headquarters, and government officials in their homes. Also a former president and well respected statesman of Afghanistan was killed by a suicide bomber at his residence.
PRAY FOR AFGHANISTAN! Pray for peace and for believers in this country to stand strong in their faith! Pray for a great harvest of souls despite the great cost that must be counted in order to become a believer in Jesus in this land.
Azerbaijan
Prayer for registration of churches continues to be on the top of the list for prayer for this country. Pray for meeting places for churches to gather and for churches who have been refused or not yet granted registration to be able to continue to meet in safety. Pray as well
for God to continue to move and draw people to Himself and that His Church would be established in this land with or without official government registration or recognition.
Pray as well for two Azeri Christians who were arrested for their faith in Tabriz, Iran in August. http://www.assistnews.net/stories/2011/s11080038.htm
Kazakhstan
Two new laws seriously restricting freedom of religion were passed by Kazakhstan's Senate, the upper house of Parliament, on Sept. 29th. Both laws now only need President Nazarbaev's signature to become law…Both the current laws have been in preparation for many months, have been rushed through Parliament with great speed, and are now with the President for signature. If passed, all churches in Kazakhstan would be forced to re-register and many smaller churches would not be granted registration, which would mean they would have to go underground. There are also many other restrictions including permission from both parents for children to attend church. For more information on these new laws go to: http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1619
These laws are not yet officially passed and yet many local authorities are taking the law into their own hands, raiding church services, arresting pastors, forcing weekly reports from churches to the KNB and restricting rental on buildings…
Pray for the church in Kazakhstan at this time where the situation for religious freedom is deteriorating. Pray for strength and boldness and for justice to prevail. PRAY THAT THE PRESIDENT WILL NOT SIGN THESE NEW LAWS.
Kyrgyzstan
Pray for Presidential elections to be held in Kyrgyzstan Oct 30th. Pray for a true democratic election and for peace to prevail in this country that has been torn by revolutions in recent years as well as ethnic violence and killing in the southern city of Osh in June 2010. For more information go to:
http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/Opinions/2011/Sept/Kyrgyzstans-upcoming-elections-Litmus-test-for-democracy.aspx
Pray against new regulations that Islam and the Orthodox church are attempting to enforce on all literature and media in the country. These regulations would control all books, literature, audio and video recordings coming into the country and distributed within Kyrgyzstan. Pray for continued freedom for literature and media in this country.
Believers in Kyrgyzstan are also asking for prayer for the very serious situation of Christian burials. Especially in rural areas, if a Christian dies, it is very difficult (sometimes almost impossible) for their relatives to obtain a burial plot for their deceased loved one. There are stories of relatives traveling from town to town with the body searching for a place for burial and being denied everywhere. Christians are appealing to the government for help with this situation. Pray that their appeals will be heard and burial plots will be granted to them.
Tajikistan
Although the highly controversial Law on Parental Responsibility for Education and Upbringing of Children has been passed, state Religious Affairs officials have failed to explain to religious communities how its near-complete ban on children's participation in religious activity will be enforced… Pray that even though this law prohibiting participation of children under 18 in any religious meeting has been passed, that it will not be enforced. Pray for churches to have the freedom to continue to hold Sunday school and children’s classes. Pray for God to move in a new and fresh way amongst the children and youth of Tajikistan!
Turkmenistan
Recent reports from pastors in Turkmenistan indicate that pressure from the government and persecution has eased off slightly. One church reports actually being granted registration after a long battle. However, now that they are able to meet publicly, it is no longer legal for them to meet in home groups! Please continue to pray for the church in Turkmenistan to grow and flourish even under difficult circumstances. Pray for villages and remote areas where there are no churches or even believers. Pray for the Gospel to spread across the entire nation!
Uzbekistan
Praise God for unity amongst pastors and churches and for unified fasting and prayer with many churches cooperating in the nation! God is hearing and answering prayer! Continue to pray for the church to stand strong in the face of hardship and persecution.
Karakalpakstan
Pastor in Karakalpakstan says, "Thank you for prayers and keep them coming!" This year not nearly as many believers have been charged in court cases as last year. Some who left the church when the waves of persecution began in 2006 are coming back. However, prayer is still needed for the believers not to live in fear.
Turkey
Turkey has recently taken a strong stand against Israel and is forming stronger alliances with it’s Muslim neighbors. Pray for wisdom for Turkey’s Prime Minister and other government leaders and for wisdom and for God to ultimately fulfill His purposes in Turkey and the Middle East at this strategic time in history…Another serious prayer concern for Turkey at this time is the issue of women’s rights--domestic violence is on the increase in Turkey. Several deaths of women have been reported recently as a result of domestic violence and honor killings. Also, prostitution and human trafficking are serious issues in Turkey. Many Russian speaking women from The Ukraine, Russia and Central Asian republics are unwilling victims of this serious abuse. Read the following for more information:
http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?load=detay&newsId=248743&link=248743
Pray for the women of Turkey. Pray for ministries reaching out to women who have been hurt and abused. Pray for many to be rescued from slavery either at the hands of pimps and madams or their own husbands and families. Pray as well for the government of Turkey to acknowledge these serious problems and take steps to prevent the abuse of women in these ways.
Xinjiang, China (The Uighurs)
Continue to pray for the Uighurs of China to come to know Jesus! Pray for Christian radio broadcasts and other media that is going out across Xinjiang province. Pray for open hearts to receive the Word of God. Pray for believers to boldly share with relatives, neighbors and friends and for house churches to multiply in cities and the country areas. Pray for “workers” to have the freedom to live in this sensitive area of China and have opportunity to share their faith with many.
Continue to pray for Alimjan who has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his faith that justice be done and freedom so that he can be reunited with his family. That God will strengthen him as he faces harsh prison conditions daily.
Iran
URGENT prayer is needed for Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani sentenced to death and awaiting execution in Iran. For more details on how to pray and get involved go to:
http://www.csw.org.uk/nadarkhani.htm
Standing together in prayer for the nations along the Silk Road!
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