World: Food prices
The World Bank President reported global food prices hitting all-time dangerous high levels. Globally, high food prices could contribute to political instability and push millions into poverty. Extremely strange weather patterns the world over destroyed many crops and has hit the supply of food available to a higher demand for food. People in the developing nations have been hit the hardest because they have to spend as much as half their income on food. In the USA corn prices increased 60 % increasing cereal and meat prices. High energy prices are also to blame. Food prices are expected to continue to rise as many of the new year's crops are not yet planted, Economists say relief could be months away.
Pray: for Governments to recognise and compassionately act upon the repercussions of this shortage on the population’s poorest. (Pr.11:25)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/finance/2011/February/World-Food-Prices-at-Dangerous-High-Levels/
Iran: Warns those who remain defiant
On Wednesday Iran said it is planning to take action against opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who reject the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and who had called for a demonstration on Monday which turned deadly. MPs are demanding they be executed for their defiance by initiating public protests. Mohseni Ejeie said, ‘The heads of seditions are the people who should be punished for their criminal acts and God willing actions in this regard are being taken.’ Iranian officials accuse USA, Britain and Israel of influencing the thousands of anti-government protesters in the streets and the clashes with riot-police. The protest, initially held in solidarity with Arab uprisings, were the first anti-government demonstration since February 2010 when similar agitation was crushed by security forces and militiamen. Karroubi said in a website statement he was ready to 'pay any price.’
Pray: for Iranian leaders to listen to the voice of the people. (Pr.11:2)
More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110216/wl_mideast_afp/iranpoliticsunrest_20110216110101
China: Prayer for Christian rights lawyers
Two years after Beijing lawyer Gao Zhisheng was arrested there is still no news of his whereabouts or condition. There are many religious rights lawyers currently detained in China. Dr Fan Yafeng, head of the Chinese Christian Human Rights' Lawyers Association, was detained on December 9 and tortured repeatedly over several days – he is now under house arrest. Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports 'an increase in the Chinese authorities' use of house arrest in recent months to suppress human rights activists. The decision to award the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese activist Liu Xiaobo is considered the trigger for this crackdown. China Aid reports a recent increase in 'physical attacks on lawyers' by court officials. They also report a well-known blind legal activist, Chen Guangcheng, and his wife, being severely beaten this week over a YouTube video about their house arrest. They were confined to their bed and denied medical treatment after the attack.
Pray: for detained Christians to be aware of Jesus presence in the midst of their suffering. (Jn.ll:35)
More: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/posts/china-call-for-prayer-for-persecuted-christian-rights-lawyers-805.php
Uganda: Country holding elections on Friday
On Wednesday Uganda entered the final day of campaigning in elections that will likely secure another term for President Yoweri Museveni, already the longest-serving leader in the region. Attention is already shifting to the immediate post-poll period, with the presidents’ main rival Kizza Besigye vowing to conduct his own tally of the votes. Besigye has claimed only rigging could deprive him of victory and warned that Uganda was ripe for an Egypt-style revolt, saying last week, ‘The brutality of the state represses people until they explode. And once they explode no amount of brutality can stop them.’ Most observers believe a lack of Internet-based activists in Uganda undermines parallels with the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. However, praise God, at a prayer rally organised by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) presidential candidates pledged to strive for a violence-free election. The leaders also committed to accept the poll's outcome and find constitutional ways to address any disputes. See
Pray: that the church in Uganda would succeed in holding political leaders accountable to their commitment made before God. (Mic. 2:1)
More: http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Africa/Uganda-vote-set-to-return-veteran-leader-11713.html
Egypt: The effect on neighbours
Thousands are demonstrating across the region demanding political and social reform since Egypt promised to make constitutional amendments and have democratic elections. Tens of thousands in Algeria, Jordan and Yemen are demonstrating for complete political and social overhaul. Although their leaders promise changes protesters say it is not enough. See: Early Wednesday morning Libyan protesters threw petrol bombs and stones at government supporters and police who in turn violently dispersed the crowd with tear gas, batons and hot water. A Libyan 'Day of rage' has been called for Thursday by local residents with a history of distrust of Gaddafi. In Bahrain the King announced a probe into the deaths of two protesters killed in clashes with security forces, when thousands of protesters gathered in Manama's main square. In Bahrain the Shia majority has been ruled by a Sunni Muslim royal family since the 18th Century. See: Pray: for a spiritual overhaul of the whole region. (Is.23:17,18)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/20112167051422444.html
Middle East: Church of the Nativity
Palestinian Christians have submitted an application to the UNESCO heritage committee asking that the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem be granted World Heritage status. Palestinian Authority Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Khouloud Daibes, said ‘This step is part of our plan to end the Israeli occupation and build the institutions of the state of Palestine.’ The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem has enjoyed UNESCO World Heritage Status for 30 years but the Church of the Nativity remains off the list because Palestine is not a recognised state. Both churches are visited by millions of pilgrims each year with the Church of the Nativity expected to welcome two million visitors through its doors in 2011.
Pray: that the place of worship for Jesus birth will not be caught up in the struggle of people groups. (Mt.1:23)
Sudan: God bless the newest country
A South Sudanese resident said, ‘The results of the referendum mean I am free today. Now I am a first class citizen in my own country.’ President Obama said, ‘I am pleased to announce the intention of the United States to formally recognize Southern Sudan as a sovereign independent state in July 2011.’ The brothers and sisters in Christ of the mainly Christians in the former South Sudan can pray, that God will sustain and provide for the people of the world's newest country facing challenges such as a new currency being established, diplomatic missions needing to be opened, and even choosing the new country’s name. Also critical negotiations are due with the north to decide on citizenship rights, oil rights and even the final border demarcation. But for the many Christians these are small problems to deal with after the mass killings and cruelty that so many of them have endured.
Pray: for God’s guidance and protection through the coming months of decisions, negotiations and avenues of change. (Pr.2:10-12)
More: http://ww .breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8646
Iraq: More car bombs
Three car bombs exploded in quick succession killing at least six people and wounded 75 in Iraq’s oil-rich northern city of Kirkuk on Wednesday. Explosions were aimed at police and Kurdish security forces in the latest of a series of attacks by insurgents as U.S. troops prepare to withdraw by the end of this year. The area is on high alert. Kirkuk is a disputed city even though Iraq’s violence has declined since 2006-07. Kirkuk sits on rich oil reserves and is one of the disputed territories at the centre of tensions between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraq’s central government; bombings still occur daily by Sunni insurgents and Shiite militia. Iraq has been experiencing an exodus of Christians following attacks. A Kirkuk resident said, ‘How long will this unstable situation last. We call on the state to take tough security measures against such incidents happening again.The victims are poor people.’
Pray: for God’s protection over His people, and for wisdom, and perseverance for the security forces supporting US troop’s withdrawal. (Ps.9:16)
More: http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2011/02/09/17206356.html
Eritrea: Church raids
Two Christians are reported to have died in separate Eritrean prisons after being refused medical treatment amid a renewed crackdown by the authorities against unregistered churches. One of the martyrs was a 27-year-old woman arrested for reading a Bible in her bedroom. A new wave of raids has seen over 100 Christians detained. Forty one people from Asmara were jailed and are said to have endured beatings. The following day, 27 believers from various underground churches near Asmara were rounded up by the security forces. In January thirty five Christians including fifteen women and two elderly men in poor health were seized from a house church gathering in Nakfa. This onslaught on Eritrean Christians began around the time of the Tunisian uprising. Observers believe current disorder in North Africa and the Middle East may prompt President Isaias to tighten his grip on power leading to an even more severe persecution of unregistered Protestant Christian groups
Pray: the thousands imprisoned without trial would know Gods presence, and the Northern unrest would not exacerbate Eritrean Christian’s conditions. (Ps.20:1)
India: Christians killed for reading Bible
A local missionary reported, ‘Suspected Islamic militants killed two Christian teenagers on January 31st because they were reading the Bible in the disputed Kashmir valley. The area lies between India and Muslim Pakistan.’ It is believed the girls were shot by three fighters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan based Islamic militant ‘terrorist’ group. Their Bible reading was part of an underground house church ministry, one of many projects of mission group Salem Voice Ministries (SVM), which supports evangelism and aid among Muslims and Hindus in India, including underground house churches in Muslim-majority Kashmir. Lashkar-e-Taiba, or the 'Army of the Righteous' seeks to introduce an Islamic state in South Asia and to ‘liberate’ Muslims in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India identified the group as masterminds behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people. Since the killings local believers are in total fear but they will continue preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pray: for a powerful anointing of all that is needed to fulfil Gods purposes for their work in the area. (Dt.31:12)