North Korea: Underground church leaders executed
Three leaders of an underground house church in North Korea were executed and 20 Christian associates jailed after police raided a house and arrested all 23 believers gathered for a 'religious function'. Three 'ringleaders' were tried, sentenced to death and executed soon afterwards. The other 20 were reportedly sent to prison camp No.15 in Yodok. The arrests and executions happened in May but news has only just emerged. The events were confirmed by North Korea Intellectual Solidarity, a group of North Korean defectors based in Seoul committed to raising awareness of injustice and promoting reform in their homeland. The 23 Christians had come to faith after a few travelled to mainland China on business and came into contact with Christians. Pray: that Christians in North Korea would powerfully experience God’s protective provision as they secretly worship and live in fear of their lives. (Ps.9:12-13)
Nairobi: Aid blocked
Al Shabaab, an Islamic militant group alleged three agencies were propagating Christianity and halted their work. ‘Now that they have suspended their work, it is the local people who will suffer,’ said the Pastor now in exile, of a small Christian community in Somalia. On 8 August, the Islamic group demanded that World Vision, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and Diakonia, a Swedish agency, immediately cease operations in Somalia. Pray: for God to protect and keep in His perfect peace the groups in Nairobi and elsewhere who bring emotional, physical, and spiritual sustenance where militant Islam threatens. (Ps.26:1, 12) More: http://www.eni.ch/
Dubai: Saudi al-Qaida leader urges killing of Christians
In an audio message released on Wednesday, a Saudi leader of al-Qaida has urged sympathizers in the Saudi security forces to kill Christians living in the kingdom. The audiotape posted on a website used by Islamists also repeated an often-made call to overthrow the Saudi government. ‘Those of you who work in guarding the tyrants of princes or ministers, or the compounds inhabited by Christians, or can reach them, should seek God's help and kill them,’ said Said al-Shihri. Shihri a former inmate of Guantanamo Bay who claimed his organisation has received correspondence from members of Saudi armed forces asking for ‘guidance'. During Ramadan pray for the Saudi Muslims (mainly Sunni) living in Dharan, Ras Ta-nura, Jubail, Dammam, Al-Khobar, Hofuf, Abqaiq, Udhailiya and Shayba. (Please know that you are among only a small group worldwide who has ever prayed for these cities by name) Pray: for the thousands of Saudis involved in the oil industry to come to the knowledge of Christ (2Cor.4:6) More: http://www.canada.com/news/Saudi+Qaida+leader+urges+killing+Christians/3385069/story.html
Philippines: Faith group wants to help government fight graft
Buoyed by a new president who has been exposing corruption, religious leaders in northern Philippines want to battle sleaze at the local level. ‘President Benigno Aquino III has shown he meant business in fighting graft, which inspires us as church leaders to do our part in helping to bring about righteous governance,’ said the Rev Dr Simplicio Dang-awan Jr of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Dang-awan was on 10 August addressing his partners in the Baguio-Benguet Ecumenical Group, an organization that brings together Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders, and a Muslim imam. (Graft- the misuse of public money for private gain poses a very grave challenge to national development in the Philippines, and the magnitude of the problem is staggering.) See Prayer Alert 3010 Praise: God that people in authority, used by God to bring about His purposes, and continue to pray for leaders wherever they are. (1Tim.2:1-4)
Philippines: Faith group wants to help government fight graft
Buoyed by a new president who has been exposing corruption, religious leaders in northern Philippines want to battle sleaze at the local level. ‘President Benigno Aquino III has shown he meant business in fighting graft, which inspires us as church leaders to do our part in helping to bring about righteous governance,’ said the Rev Dr Simplicio Dang-awan Jr of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Dang-awan was on 10 August addressing his partners in the Baguio-Benguet Ecumenical Group, an organization that brings together Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders, and a Muslim imam. (Graft- the misuse of public money for private gain poses a very grave challenge to national development in the Philippines, and the magnitude of the problem is staggering.) See Prayer Alert 3010 Praise: God that people in authority, used by God to bring about His purposes, and continue to pray for leaders wherever they are. (1Tim.2:1-4)
Rwanda: Answered prayer for peaceful elections
On Monday August 9th over 12,000 believers from various religious denominations in Kigali thronged Amahoro National Stadium to pray for Rwanda’s presidential elections to be peaceful. - See Prayer Alert 3210) The crusade from midday to sunset was dubbed ‘Rwanda is in your hands Lord.’ The presidential elections started the next day. The event was characterized by prayers being led by several pastors, and there were testimonies and entertainment from local church choirs. Pastor Antoine Rutayisire observed that bad politics plunged the country into genocide and urged all churches to wake up and play their role in changing the mindset of Rwandans. ‘It's now our churches time to pave the way for a better Rwanda. Rwanda is ours always. If we sleep it will crumble down,’ He called on all Rwandans to love and always pray for their country. Praise: God for answered prayers and ask him to continue to unite His church across the continent of Africa. (2Ch.7:14)
Rwanda: Answered prayer for peaceful elections
On Monday August 9th over 12,000 believers from various religious denominations in Kigali thronged Amahoro National Stadium to pray for Rwanda’s presidential elections to be peaceful. - See Prayer Alert 3210) The crusade from midday to sunset was dubbed ‘Rwanda is in your hands Lord.’ The presidential elections started the next day. The event was characterized by prayers being led by several pastors, and there were testimonies and entertainment from local church choirs. Pastor Antoine Rutayisire observed that bad politics plunged the country into genocide and urged all churches to wake up and play their role in changing the mindset of Rwandans. ‘It's now our churches time to pave the way for a better Rwanda. Rwanda is ours always. If we sleep it will crumble down,’ He called on all Rwandans to love and always pray for their country. Praise: God for answered prayers and ask him to continue to unite His church across the continent of Africa. (2Ch.7:14)
No justice for Duke, sacked for mentioning God
An employment tribunal has ruled that it was reasonable for Wandsworth Council to dismiss Duke Amachee, after he was sacked for gross misconduct for suggesting to a client with an incurable illness not to give up hope and to try putting her faith in God. The decision has come as a huge surprise to Duke and to his legal team. Duke, a committed Christian, had worked for Wandsworth Council for 18 years and had an unblemished record. Yet, as a result of the comments he made in one 45-minute housing interview, he was subject to six months of investigations and three interviews with the Council. His solicitor was even told by the Council that saying ‘God bless’ to a client would require an investigation if the client complained. Listen to Duke’s personal appeal: Duke and his legal team intend to appeal the decision. Pray: that God would hear our prayers and grant a reversal of this decision. (Ex.23:6)
Foster parents rejected over Christian beliefs
A Christian couple from Blackburn, have had their application to be foster parents terminated by the Council because of their orthodox Christian beliefs on marriage and their belief that the best environment in which to raise a child is with a mother and a father. Rev John Yallop and his wife Colette had told Lancashire Council that they were Christians but had been assured that they were still welcome to apply as foster parents. However, during the process problems arose when the Council asked them whether they would have any objections to prospective homosexual adoptive parents coming into their home for the ‘hand over’ process which normally involves a number of visits. The Yallops proposed that any meetings with prospective homosexual adoptive parents should take place at a children’s centre. Due to this request, the Council has now terminated their application. Pray: for the Council to reconsider their own prejudiced and excluding view on this matter. (1Co.16:13-14) More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/foster.parents.rejected.over.christian.beliefs/26463.htm
Halal-only menu for London primary schools
Harrow Council in London has provoked a storm of protest after announcing plans to prefer Islamic halal-only menus in the borough’s state primary schools. Parents are outraged that meat prepared according to Islamic Sharia law is being pushed on non-Muslim children. Contracts signed with the Council’s preferred catering company, Harrison’s, stipulate that only halal meat is served. The Council claims the plan is needed to overcome difficulties in keeping halal meat separate from non-halal meat. It has since said it will postpone the move because of, in part, ‘the level of interest from parents’ and revisit the issue in the autumn. According to the 2001 census, the religious affiliation of Harrow’s population is just seven per cent Muslim. Harrow resident, Sheila Murphy, blasted the Council’s plan as ‘appalling’. She said it is ‘taking away the choice of children and their parents over what meat they eat and I urge residents to make their views known to Harrow Council’. Pray: for the council to reflect the views of the vast majority of their residents. (Ac.10:14-15) More: http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2010/08/10/halal-only-menu-for-london-primary-schools-sparks-row/