Christianity the last bastion against ‘totalitarianism’
An Austrian think tank and non-governmental organisation is warning that freedom of religious expression is ‘at risk’ in Europe from secularist intolerance on the left. Public expressions of religious belief by Christians are growing in Western Europe, the cradle of Christendom. Gudrun Kugler, a lawyer and director of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe says that ‘Europe Christianity is hated because it is the last obstacle to a new vision of secularity which is so politically correct that it verges on totalitarianism. Christians are increasingly marginalized and are appearing more often in courts over matters related to faith. So I think that we are heading for a bloodless persecution.’ Dr Massimo Introvigne, of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe, said this week that European Christians are not being ‘oversensitive.’ Discrimination against Christians in Europe, he said, ‘is more subtle’ than in countries where they are outright persecuted, but it is real. Pray: for all Christians as they battle secularism and anti-Christian persecution across Europe. (Ac.4:29)
Hungary: Churches reach out to Roma
Hungary's new centre-right government has allied itself with the churches in a drive to create jobs and pull Roma (Gypsy) communities out of poverty. The BBC's Nick Thorpe reports that social work by the churches is already helping to improve the lives of Roma in eastern Hungary. The Hungarian government is due to sign a deal with the main churches to allow them to apply for state funding for educational, social and labour programmes. So for the first time, the churches can get involved in job creation. Hungary's 800,000 Roma - many of them destitute - are a priority. The government wants to get a million Hungarians back to work in the next 10 years - 200,000 to 300,000 of them Roma. Hungary's State Secretary for Social Inclusion, Zoltan Balog, is himself a Protestant pastor. ‘It will be the job of the churches to go to the communities with their own proposals,’ he says. Pray: for these initiatives by the Government and Church to help the Roma that God would bless them.
Hungary: Churches reach out to Roma
Hungary's new centre-right government has allied itself with the churches in a drive to create jobs and pull Roma (Gypsy) communities out of poverty. The BBC's Nick Thorpe reports that social work by the churches is already helping to improve the lives of Roma in eastern Hungary. The Hungarian government is due to sign a deal with the main churches to allow them to apply for state funding for educational, social and labour programmes. So for the first time, the churches can get involved in job creation. Hungary's 800,000 Roma - many of them destitute - are a priority. The government wants to get a million Hungarians back to work in the next 10 years - 200,000 to 300,000 of them Roma. Hungary's State Secretary for Social Inclusion, Zoltan Balog, is himself a Protestant pastor. ‘It will be the job of the churches to go to the communities with their own proposals,’ he says. Pray: for these initiatives by the Government and Church to help the Roma that God would bless them.
Sudan Support Network (www.givengain.com) reports:
It's final and it's true. The amazing referendum results announced this Sunday in Khartoum. There is a host of reasons to praise God related to the referendum. To just think of some of these:
• The high percentage vote of the registered voters.
• The incredibly high percentage vote in favor of secession.
• The ABSOLUTE zero number of legal complaints about the referendum process and results.
• The degree of acceptance that the referendum was in essence free and fair by the Khartoum government and the high level of support of that from the people in North Sudan.
• The almost lack of news coming out of Sudan, indicating the global acceptance of developments in Sudan.
• The high level of commitment by the people of Southern Sudan to move towards declaring independence on 9 July 2011.
• The mature leadership of the Southern Sudanese Government in seeing the referendum through from start to finish.
• The apparent high levels of commitment from both the Governments of North and South Sudan to cooperate on transition to the new dispensation.
• The high level to which this is and was a bloodless transition. This was THE key prayer focus in the build-up to the referendum. It reminds a lot of the miraculous peaceful transition to a democratic state in South Africa in 1994.
• The extent to which God has answered prayers for the referendum.
The way has been opened for the people of Southern Sudan to declare their independence in July this year.
Besides joining in with all the praises listed above, please pray:
1. For the new South Sudan President Salva Kiir that God would give him servant’s heart, great wisdom and discernment, and success in building up South Sudan.
2. That post-referendum arrangements regarding the sharing of oil revenues, demarcation of borders, and the status of the border region of Abyei will be resolved fairly and amicably.
3. That both North and South Sudan will have a good relationship and never to become enemies.
4. For Christians to know the freedom of worshiping God without fear for their lives.
Window International Network (WIN, www.win1040.com) reports the collapse of the Lebanon government on January 12th after 11 Hezbollah leaders resign in objection to the United Nations seeking to investigate them for a 2005 bombing that killed 23 including former President Rafik al-Hariri. Without the Hezbollah leaders, Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri’s government would disintegrate causing the current political crisis, leaving the country vulnerable, and hindering businesses and advancement of the Lebanese people.
Please pray:
1. For the end of terrorism in Lebanon.
2. God would place political leaders in power who are “after His own heart”.
3. For peace in this current political uncertainty and protection of the Lebanese people with a weak government.
4. For the Christians in the land to see growth and have boldness in ministry and for God’s protection over them while sharing.
A movement where different ministries will travel from south to the north of South Africa for 40 days on 4 different trails praying and sharing the gospel and seeking God’s transforming work. It will occur March 5 through April 16, 2011. www.firetrails.co.za
Window International Network (www.win1040.com) reports that since “December 26th, Iranian security forces stepped up their efforts to eliminate the ‘corrupting’ influence of Christianity by arresting 25 Christian Believers.” In January of 2011, estimates range as high as 60 arrests with many detained.
Elam Ministries (www.elam.com) report 70+ arrests. There have been reports of torture besides intense interrogation where they are blindfolded and questioned for hours and days. Psychological pressure is placed upon them so they would renounce their faith in Christ Jesus. No family members are allowed to visit during the interrogations.
Click Here for pictures of some of those arrested.
Please pray:
1. The Lord will be present with all Christians who have been arrested, questioned, detained, and tortured—that God would give them strength, comfort, the ability to love and forgive. May Christ be glorified in their sufferings.
2. Pray for swift end to the ordeal the prisoners go through.
3. For police officials that they lose the hatred for Christians and be moved by the Holy Spirit for themselves to be saved. Pray for the government to find favor with the Christians in their country.
4. That God’s power of protection and love for His Children be clearly demonstrated before the Iranian police to see what kind of God He is.
5. For God to reveal dreams and visions to those who govern, fear God, and persecute Christians.
The World Weekend of Prayer is an international prayer event that will happen the first weekend in June (3rd, 4th, 5th) 2011, in Oxford, UK. The theme is “Together”. In past conferences, prayer booklets in 15 different languages including a child-friendly resource were published; it is hoped that these and other resources would be provided in 2011. Viva encourages child intercession for children at risk, adults signing commitments to pray for children, organizations starting regular prayer meetings for children at risk, and much more. (www.viva.org)
Please pray:
1. For Viva to acquire the financial and organizational help needed for this prayer event.
2. That participants will in turn carry what they have gleaned back to home towns/cities and that there be a noticeable impact for the sake of children at risk.
3. For God’s protection over this conference and over children at risk.
Joel News reported that more than 230,000 died in the January 12th earthquake of 2010. The country is still being rebuilt. Many relief agencies and churches are still working to transform the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. www.joelnews.org
Please pray:
1. For well coordinated relief efforts.
2. For good working relationships with the government and the relief agencies.
3. For a spirit of cooperation, patience, and thankfulness among the displaced citizens.
4. For healing of those injured and for the grief of those who lost loved ones.
5. For boldness of Christian relief workers to share the gospel of Christ Jesus verbally besides their physical caring.
6. For weather conditions that will allow for continued clean-up progress.
The very first conference on “Children at Risk and the Christian’s Response” is being held from February 7-10, 2011. About 100 pastors and leaders are expected to attend with the following objectives:
1. To make visible the Christian response to children at risk.
2. To inspire church leaders for engaging with children at risk.
3. To develop effective networking and collaborations.
4. To bring Christians together for fellowship and prayer.
Please pray:
1. For the conference that the Lord would touch each individual’s heart to help the children at risk of that region.
2. Pray for the two leaders who are facilitating the conference as they will need and use skills of organizing, guiding conversation, directing, over seeing, observing, following up, funding, etc.
3. That the impact of this conference will have a far-reaching impact on the lives of many children at risk in Nepal.
4. Pray for spiritual protection over the conference.
5. Pray for a clear and united leading of the Holy Spirit in the directions Christians should go and for obedience to follow the calls.