Yemen: Abducted Christians update
In June last year nine Christians were kidnapped - three were later murdered. (See Prayer Alert 3009) Two of the captives have been found - Lydia and Anna aged 5 and 4 respectively were in a Saudi Arabian military operation in the disputed border region of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Following hospital assessments in Saudi Arabia they returned to Germany on 19th May in good physical health. There is still no news of their parents Johannes and Sabine, their brother Simon aged 2 or of Tom the British man kidnapped with them. A peace agreement signed in February between the Yemeni government and militia ended a period of armed conflict in disputed border areas. Christians in Yemen request our prayers for Lydia and Anna to know the presence and peace of Jesus and recover well from the trauma of captivity; that the missing four (assuming they are alive) to know God’s daily provision and be released unharmed shortly.
Pray: for close relatives to be able to provide the loving and secure environment the released children need, free from unwanted intrusion or publicity. (Ps.90:14)
More: http://www.meconcern.org
North Korea: Torpedo sank a South Korean navy ship
International investigators say they have overwhelming evidence that a South Korean warship was sunk by a North Korean submarine in March, resulting in the death of 46 South Korean sailors. Investigators from US, Australia, Britain and Sweden said they had discovered part of the torpedo on the sea floor and it carried lettering that matched a North Korean design. North Korea rejected the claim as a ‘fabrication’ adding the North would threaten war if sanctions were imposed by the South. But South Korean President Lee Myung-bak pledged to take ‘stern action’ against the North. UK and US Foreign Secretaries describe the sinking of the ship as an ‘act of aggression’ by North Korea that challenged peace.
Pray: and take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that keep North Korea bound and ask God to turn this situation around and open His way forward for the nation (Eph.6:12) More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia_pacific/10129703.stm
Ethiopia: Elections on 23 May
Church leaders in Ethiopia ask Christians everywhere to join them in prayer for the Ethiopian church in the run-up to the national elections on 23 May. Historically the pre-election period has been a time of increased difficulty for the church. Crime levels rise and legal processes slow down as government officials are pre-occupied with securing votes for their political party. Those opposing the Christian faith often take this opportunity to attack church buildings, and Christians who are arrested because of false accusations may have to wait longer before being able to defend their case in court. Church leaders also face increased pressure, many civilians fear a repetition of the 2005 political violence. Open Doors have asked us to pray for peaceful and just election procedures, that God’s will be done, and that the outcome will not result in bloodshed. Pray: for the protection of Christians located in persecution hot spots and for them to know God’s strength and peace. (Is.49:8) More: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/pray
INSIGHT ARTICLE: Laos: 48 Christians expelled from village suffer critical illnesses
In spite of assurances of justice from officials the Lao Christians expelled from Katin village at gunpoint for not renouncing their faith (Prayer Alert0810) are suffering prolonged lack of adequate food and clean water. Lack of basic resources since January has led to diarrea, dehydration, eye and skin infections, fainting and general weakness and one Christian died suddenly while praying for two Christians hospitalized with illness caused by their living conditions. They are living in temporary shelters at the edge of the jungle; their neighbours were aggressively warned not to help them in any way. In March a delegation of officials visited the Christian jungle site and assured the refugees of their legal right to embrace the faith of their choice and live anywhere in the district. For insights into how to pray for Laos click info button. Pray: for God to protect and provide for the outcasts of Laos, to strengthen the Christians and bring those not knowing Him into faith through His son Jesus Christ. (Mt.5:11,12) More: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/2110 Laospeopleprayer.pdf
Thailand: Mysterious black-clad gunmen
Thailand's government has vowed to go after shadowy ‘terrorists’ blamed for triggering bloody clashes between the army and red-shirted demonstrators, believing several hundred militants trained in combat joined protesters in their downtown Bangkok encampment. Government officials and the army believe the men in black are politically aligned with the red shirt movement and sought to cause bloodshed severe enough to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call a new election. Red shirt leaders said the ‘black clads’ are protecting them, but they don't know who they are. The government fears ‘terrorists’ could strike at any time and may have been behind dozens of unsolved grenade attacks and bombings across the city. Security and military analysts believe rangers trained in counter-insurgency may be among them. Pray: for an unconditional end to bloodshed as God turns the situation into opportunities to end the divisions in Thailand’s society. (Ro.15:5) More: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63Q1F220100427
Canada: Prayer for the world’s poorest people
Canadian intercessors would welcome our support as they prepare for a weekend of continual day and night intercession for the G8 and G20 summit on June 25-27 in Ontario. The Luke 18 Weekend of prayer and worship hosted by Houses of Prayer from all over Canada will cry out to God to establish justice for the world’s poorest peoples. Pray that God will raise up, envision and inspire many Canadians in the coming weeks to engage in this event and in His purposes for the nations. Also consider joining with our Canadian brothers and sisters to cover the summits - the only constants are: a focus on justice for the poor with positive scripture based prayers of faith in what God will do. The organizers are designing a communications hub available to IHOPS that are registered to share what God is saying as they pray. This networking will encourage others and the on-site teams in Toronto and Huntsville. Pray: for the delegates to have a servant heart towards other nations and be led by God’s spirit in all decisions made. (Is.54:1) More: http://cityscapeprayer.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=179&Itemid=111
Church publishes prayers for voters ahead of the General Election
The Church of England has published prayers to help voters as they consider their options in the forthcoming General Election. The prayers remind voters that they can make a difference, ask that the concerns of all may be heard and seek protection from despair and cynicism. The prayers, for personal use or during church services, were specially written by the Mission and Public Affairs Division and the Communications Office in association with National Worship Development Officer the Rev Peter Moger. They are published on the web alongside details of relevant debates in the General Synod over the last five years.
Pray: that through the Holy Spirit these prayers will have the power to encourage those who use them. (Ep.6:18)
Technicality halts efforts to reverse adoption agency ban
An attempt to exempt Catholic adoption agencies from gay rights laws failed this week when the leaders of the three main political parties united to deny peers a vote. An amendment tabled by four senior members of the House of Lords to Harriet Harman's Equality Bill aimed to overturn a regulation banning the religious adoption agencies from rejecting gay couples and cohabitees as adopters and foster parents. Led by Baroness Williams of Crosby, the peers claimed their move had the support of the majority of the House. But the amendment was dropped after the ‘usual channels’ - the leaders of the major parties in the Lords and their whips - ruled that it could not be moved on a technicality. Baroness Williams said she felt that the abuse scandal convulsing the Church in Ireland and Germany had undermined the support her amendment might have generated. (See Prayer Alert 1210)
Pray: for the freedom of charities to organise themselves in such a way that their activities are consistent with their religious beliefs when clearly providing public services. (Ro.12:2)
More: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/articles/a0000780.shtml
Serbia: Parliament apologizes for Srebrenica massacre
Serbia's Parliament has apologized for the massacre of 8,000 Muslims by Bosnian-Serb forces in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica in 1995. But, the declaration does not directly call the crime ‘genocide’, as survivors had demanded. After 13 hours of debate Serbia's Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Europe's worst massacre since World War II. Two-thirds of the lawmakers voted for a declaration that analysts said ends years of denial by Serbian politicians about the scale of the killings. About 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed after Bosnian-Serb forces overran the Bosnian town of Srebrenica in 1995. The text of the resolution says, ‘The Parliament of Serbia strongly condemns the crime committed against the Bosnian-Muslim population of Srebrenica in July, 1995.’ Lawmakers also expressed ‘their condolences and an apology to the families of the victims because not everything possible was done to prevent the tragedy.’
Pray: that this apology will bring a start to the healing process for all those affected. (Ps.79:8-9)
Serbia: Parliament apologizes for Srebrenica massacre
Serbia's Parliament has apologized for the massacre of 8,000 Muslims by Bosnian-Serb forces in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica in 1995. But, the declaration does not directly call the crime ‘genocide’, as survivors had demanded. After 13 hours of debate Serbia's Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Europe's worst massacre since World War II. Two-thirds of the lawmakers voted for a declaration that analysts said ends years of denial by Serbian politicians about the scale of the killings. About 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed after Bosnian-Serb forces overran the Bosnian town of Srebrenica in 1995. The text of the resolution says, ‘The Parliament of Serbia strongly condemns the crime committed against the Bosnian-Muslim population of Srebrenica in July, 1995.’ Lawmakers also expressed ‘their condolences and an apology to the families of the victims because not everything possible was done to prevent the tragedy.’
Pray: that this apology will bring a start to the healing process for all those affected. (Ps.79:8-9)