Nigeria:Non-Muslim Nigerians need protection
Attacks on non-Muslim villages gained momentum in the run-up to the elections, in an effort to disenfranchise non-Muslim communities. Following a warning from ‘Federation of Islamic Council from the 36 states of the Federation’ saying it would bomb polling booths, political party offices and vehicles unless ‘Christian commoners, ordinary people resident in the North East, North West, and North Central’ left immediately a bomb injured 6 and killed 1 at a polling station. Nigeria began the first of three crucial April elections on Saturday and dozens were killed in separate attacks. 25 killed and 200 injured in an explosion at the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission. 8 killed and 56 injured when gunmen stormed a police station as election materials were being sorted. The Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party was shot. Attacks by 1,000 armed Fulani men on non-Muslim areas resulted in 10 dead, a village destroyed and some elderly people reported burnt to death in their homes. Pray: for Christians to be protected from physical attack and fear, for the Nigerian government to step up security and peacefully turn back the militants from northern states. (Job 5:20,22)
Azerbaijan: Riot police versus worshippers
Three Christian communities in Azerbaijan's second city Gyanja have been banned from meeting for worship.. Babek Sadykov of Gyanja Police completely denied this, claiming to Forum 18 news that ‘no one is being prevented from worshipping’. Local people, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals, told Forum 18 that one of the communities was warned that ‘if they met for worship on the following Sunday or at any future date they will all be arrested’. Two buses full of ordinary police and riot police later arrived to prevent any religious worship. Protestants said the church had already reluctantly decided not to hold one big Sunday service that day. ‘People are now very afraid.’ Meanwhile, a government-initiated World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue was told by President Ilham Aliev that freedom of religion, freedom of conscience have been fully established in Azerbaijan. Pray: for Star of the East Pentecostal Church, the New Apostolic Church and a Baptist congregation to be able to worship legally and freely in Gyanja. (Ps.91:4,5) More: http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1560
North Korea: 24th – 30th April Prayer
The letters Open Doors is receiving from North Korean secret church leaders paint a very grey image. Imagine yourself a Christian believer living in a barren land that is silent; no church, no freedom to share your faith, no Bible, and no contact with other Christians. Alone! Is God still here? Does He hear my cries? Why is God silent? Has He forgotten us?’ North Korean Christians deal with this reality.’ Open Doors helps Christians with their most basic needs to keep alive, and are asking Christians around the world to pray for these secret believers and for our co-workers ministering to them in the coming week of intercession. Pray: for North Korean Christians as they trust every promise of God to be their shield and refuge. (Pr.30:5) More: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/North-Korea-Freedom-Week
Canada:30th April election prayers
Over 100 churches, networks and prayer ministries across Canada are joining forces to pray on April 30th for a righteous outcome of the May 2nd elections. Many cities and communities are expected to meet together for inter-denominational prayer throughout the day, culminating in an evening of worship and celebration to exalt Jesus as Lord over Canada. We are invited to intercede with Canada in the run up to the elections and pray that the national media will report from an unbiased and non-partisan way and that any personal opinions of those reporting would be down-played. - Also that the coming public debates this Tuesday (English) and Thursday (French) will be presented in a fair and orderly way and not be used for personal attacks. - for repentance where Christians have walked in compromise with the world's values or have been too dependent on our Government to raise the moral standard in Canada. Pray: for a strong and stable government to bring effective leadership and navigate a secure course for the future. (Heb.12:1,2) More: www.redleafprayer.org
Japan:Praying with Japan
Last Sunday Christians from inside and outside Japan asked Christians globally to pray ‘with Japan’ asking if mercy can triumph one more time over justice and to bring the current situation before God from a place of national repentance and a capitulation of its leaders before the King of Kings. According to leaders in society, business and politics, the Church, as it is, has next to no voice nor influence in the Japanese society. As intercessors however we have huge privileges and can and should pray for repentance and forgiveness, asking God to shorten the days of tribulation (Mark 13:20) and stand in the gap for a nation that God is calling back to himself. This would mark a historic chance for a new beginning, and could be the beginning of liberating the nation of Japan to stepping into the historic role. Pray: for a spiritual reconstruction based on the foundations of the Kingdom of God.(Ex.34:17)
INSIGHT ARTICLE: Ivory Coast religion and democracy
Laurent Gbagbo had sadly claimed fraud using security forces to instigate civil war until being forced out. Historically Gbagbo enjoyed support from United States leaders who respect democratic values, but those values took second place to religious affinity to motivate support as he flaunted his Christianity in all his speeches. Pat Robertson speaking on his Christian Broadcasting Network said, ‘The UN has said the other guy won. Well, that may be, but the problem is that this is a country now that has been run by a Christian that is going to be in the hands of Muslims. So it’s one more Muslim nation that’s going to be building up that ring of Shariah law around the Middle East.’ To aid intercession into the fault line of Muslim Christian communities in the Ivory Coast and the historical dangers needing prayer click the 'Info' button. See:
Pray: against religiously driven attitudes within the government and for the Christian communities to be strengthened. (Ps.119:86)
British millionaire buys, then donates religious paintings
A self-effacing multi-millionaire, Jonathan Ruffer, has become a cultural icon here after buying a series of 17th century religious paintings from the Anglican Church for 15 million pounds and then giving them back so they can remain on public display. Painted by Francisco de Zurbaran, a contemporary of Velazquez and El Greco, the representations of the Biblical patriarch Jacob and his sons have been kept at Auckland Castle at Durham since 1756 when they were bought by Bishop Richard Trevor for just under 150 pounds. Earlier this year, the Church Commissioners proposed to sell the Zurbarans at public auction in the hope of using the money to fund Church ministry in poorer parts of England. Thousands of people in the north east of England signed a petition asking that the paintings remain at the castle and supported a campaign organized by Helen Goodman, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, to keep them in Britain. Praise: God for the generosity of Mr Ruffer. (2Cor.9:11)
British millionaire buys, then donates religious paintings
A self-effacing multi-millionaire, Jonathan Ruffer, has become a cultural icon here after buying a series of 17th century religious paintings from the Anglican Church for 15 million pounds and then giving them back so they can remain on public display. Painted by Francisco de Zurbaran, a contemporary of Velazquez and El Greco, the representations of the Biblical patriarch Jacob and his sons have been kept at Auckland Castle at Durham since 1756 when they were bought by Bishop Richard Trevor for just under 150 pounds. Earlier this year, the Church Commissioners proposed to sell the Zurbarans at public auction in the hope of using the money to fund Church ministry in poorer parts of England. Thousands of people in the north east of England signed a petition asking that the paintings remain at the castle and supported a campaign organized by Helen Goodman, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, to keep them in Britain. Praise: God for the generosity of Mr Ruffer. (2Cor.9:11)
No plans to change prayers in House of Lords
Suggestions to make prayers in the House of Lords more inclusive were given a lukewarm response this week. Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked peers to consider ‘widening the scope of House of Lords prayers into devotions encompassing faiths that are represented in the House’. He suggested a minute of silence and reflection in addition to the prayers out of consideration for the diversity of faiths and denominations in the House of Lords and wider society. The proposal was met with opposition from the Chairman of Committees, Lord Brabazon of Tara, who said there were no plans to change the prayers. He noted that the practice of prayer in the House of Lords went back to the 1500s and that change might be ‘premature’ (See Prayer Alert 07-2011) Praise: God for the recognition that prayer would remain at the heart of our Parliament. (Mk.12:17) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/no.plans.to.change.prayers.in.house.of.lords/27767.htm
No plans to change prayers in House of Lords
Suggestions to make prayers in the House of Lords more inclusive were given a lukewarm response this week. Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked peers to consider ‘widening the scope of House of Lords prayers into devotions encompassing faiths that are represented in the House’. He suggested a minute of silence and reflection in addition to the prayers out of consideration for the diversity of faiths and denominations in the House of Lords and wider society. The proposal was met with opposition from the Chairman of Committees, Lord Brabazon of Tara, who said there were no plans to change the prayers. He noted that the practice of prayer in the House of Lords went back to the 1500s and that change might be ‘premature’ (See Prayer Alert 07-2011) Praise: God for the recognition that prayer would remain at the heart of our Parliament. (Mk.12:17) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/no.plans.to.change.prayers.in.house.of.lords/27767.htm