Seven aids for general election intercession
For those of us finding it difficult to hear God’s still small voice in the orchestra of political sound bites there are a number of valuable websites available to help our intercessions in the final lap of the election race. (hustings) documents a summary of the local husting meetings held in the past few weeks. (2) The Care General Election Prayer Guide can be downloaded from Prayer Forum (3) Initiatives and suggestions from Christians in Politics can be downloaded at Susa (4) A concise election twelve point prayer plan is on the World Prayer Centre website (5) 24-7 Prayer offer an election prayer meeting plan that can be downloaded from EAUK (6) Information concerning the Christian Peoples Alliance candidates and speeches are at (7) This week's Insight article is a scripture based prayer pointer distributed through the Parliamentary Prayer Fellowship. Click the 'info' button.
Pray: as the Lord leads into areas of government and the election process. (1Ti.2:1-2)
India: Christians seek Easter protection
Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad sought police protection for conducting Easter services, particularly the Good Friday procession through public streets. The city witnessed Hindu-Muslim violence in the last week of March and police impossed a curfew in the violence-hit old city areas with propitiatory orders banning assembly of more than five people. Although the flare up was political rather than religion-related the Archbishop told UCA news, ‘We have requested police protection to conduct Holy Week services within our churches.' He also said that Christians in areas where curfew was imposed will ‘find it difficult to attend the Holy Week prayer.’ He has asked some parishes not to have processions and for
congregations to go home quietly after religious ceremonies. Police relaxed curfew in a few areas on April 1 after the situation improved.
Pray: for this and all Easter Christian services in India to be anointed, protected and a prevailing witness to non Believers. (Mt.28:18-20)
More: http://www.ucanews.com/2010/04/01/police-protection-sought-for-holy-wee
India: Christians faced 1,000 attacks in 500 days in Karnataka State
Open Doors reported ‘Christians in southern Karnataka State are experiencing an unprecedented wave of persecution, having faced more than 1,000 attacks in 500 days, according to an independent investigation by Justice Michael Saldanha, a former state High Court judge. In the latest attack on 17 March, a mob of 150 people led by the Hindu extremist organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, stormed the funeral of a 50-year-old Christian identified only as ‘Isaac'. During his funeral, a mob pulled Isaac's coffin apart, threw his body onto a tractor and dumped it outside, saying his burial would have contaminated Indian soil. State authorities have denied the results of the inquiry, saying the number of attacks is significantly less. Many Christians face false charges of fraudulent or forced conversions. In his report, Justice Saldanha states that Christians are regularly ‘dragged to the police station under false allegations, immediately locked up, beaten and denied bail’
Pray: that Karnataka State will have a reliable justice system and that Christians will receive just treatment from the police and law courts. (Jas.1:12)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/india/16634/
China: Christians call to end internet censorship
A London conference was held last week by Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Release International to raise awareness of persecuted Christians in China. Release International called on Microsoft and Yahoo to follow Google's lead and refuse to censor the Internet and reports of persecution in China. ‘Religious persecution is a daily reality in China,’ said Release CEO Andy Dipper. ‘The Chinese people need to be told the truth and gatekeepers to the Internet, namely Microsoft and Yahoo, have a duty to let the truth be told.’ The conference highlighted the plight of human rights lawyer, Gao Zhisheng, who disappeared more than 400 days ago after defending leaders of the persecuted house church and practitioners of the banned movement Falun Gong. Praise God Gao has been interviewed, see Praise article below.
Pray: that Gao Zkisheng would be released immediately along with many others in similar circumstances. (Ps.4:1)
North Korea: High ranking defector speaks out
On Thursday AFP reported Hwang Jang-Yop, the highest-ranking official ever to defect from North Korea is calling for ‘ideological warfare’ against the hard-line regime and says China could easily bring it down if it chose to. Jang-Yop, who is at the top of North Korean agents' hit-list, is paying a tightly guarded visit to Washington as he seeks support from US policymakers and activists against his former government.The 87-year-old mentored leader Kim Jong-Il, presided over North Korea's parliament and is credited with developing the regime's ideology of ‘juche,’ or self-reliance. Speaking on Wednesday to a small audience at a think-tank, Jang-Yop discounted the options either of attacking or engaging Kim's regime and said it was instead crucial to show North Koreans the human rights violations around them. For insights from sensitive Christian sources to help you pray for North Korea click the info button below.
Pray: for God to give Jang-Yop the words that would be heard around the world to bring a colossal nonviolent turnaround of regime in North Korea. (Is.41:2)
Pakistan: Christians call for repeal of blasphemy laws
Riaz Anjum Masih, Chairman of the Pakistan Christian Movement has stressed the need for unity among the Christians of Pakistan and urges them to launch a united effort to scrap all discriminatory laws against minorities. He also called for repeal of those sections of the constitution which allegedly discriminate against religious minorities. ‘Although the constitution of Pakistan is unanimously agreed-upon, the Christians and other religious minorities have some reservations about it.’ said Masih. He went on to say that according to the constitution it is necessary to be a Muslim for attaining high posts of Government. He vowed to launch a struggle from the platform of the Pakistan Christian Movement to see the number of reserved seats for minorities increased. Unveiling his plans for uplifting the Pakistani Christian community Masih said they would establish a Christian educational fund to provide educational opportunities for Pakistani Christians as it is imperative for them to get higher education.
Pray: that God would strengthen the voice of the Pakistan Christian Movement and provide fresh standards of justice in that country. (1Pt.4:10-11)
Iraq: Christians under fire
Christians in Iraq face possible martyrdom as an ever present reality. The campaign of violence against Christians is one of the most under-reported stories of Iraq since the 2003 invasion and could fundamentally change the country's character. By the time the dust finally settles on the chaotic current chapter of Iraq's history, the Christian community may have disappeared altogether after 2,000 years as a significant presence. About 200,000 Iraqi Christians have already fled the country. They once made up three per cent of its population but now account for half of its refugees. Erbil in northern Iraq has become a safe haven for Christian refugees who are too poor to leave or do not want to abandon their country. It is the seat of the Kurdish Regional Government which treats the Christians well and there is an established Christian community to welcome them. Refugees also gravitate towards the traditionally Christian suburb of Ainkawa. (See also Prayer Alert 0110 & 0610)
Pray: for more of God’s protection and provision for our brothers and sisters in Christ living and working in Iraq. (Ps.5:11)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7550048/Iraqi-Christians-under-fire.html
Nigeria: Secret killings follow religious deaths
The religious massacres have stopped, but ‘secret’ killings of Christians and Muslims continue on a smaller scale across Northern Nigeria, claiming more than 30 lives this year police said on Tuesday. Three more people died and several were injured during an interfaith Easter prayer ceremony in Jos. The State Police Commissioner said the secret killings happen when Christians and Muslims stray into neighbourhoods dominated by the other faith. Police and security forces collect one or two bodies a night. The violence remains hidden from public view since it hasn't reached the horrors of earlier in the year when more than 200 people - mostly Christians - died in March massacres and more than 300 people- mostly Muslims - died in January during rioting in the same region.
Pray: for God’s life giving spirit to heal the broken, bring reconciliation to divided groups and invade the darkness still hovering over the region. (Is.42:16)
More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iNCU46VYMVf0VzhqkKJUus45PrDAD9ETOKLG4
Gaza: A generation of casualties
Israel's foreign minister warned Palestinians against plans to declare independence next year saying the move could prompt Israel to annex parts of the West Bank and annul past peace agreements. His remarks took aim at a Palestinian policy coming out of the stalled U.S. peace talks. see Last Friday Israeli warplanes, responding to Palestinian border assaults, bombed the Gaza Strip resulting in two children being hospitalised. The children of Gaza have much misery to contend with as they try to put memories of the war behind them. Much of Gaza is still piles of sand and rubble. The winter rains have brought leaks and floods for family homes and the blockades cause many shortages of necessities. Currently there is a shortage of cooking gas. Power cuts are also commonplace making it very difficult for children to study at night. The children are stuck in Gaza with little hope of the freedom we take for granted.
Pray: for the children of Gaza to have a future and a hope; pray also for the Palestinian Christians to have all their prayers powerfully answered. (Ps.69:32-33,36)
More: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/articles/children-of-gaza-filmmakers-feature
Kyrgyzstan: Opposition seizes power, dissolves parliament
Kyrgyzstan's opposition said on Thursday it had taken power and dissolved parliament after a bloody uprising forced President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee the capital. Roza Otunbayeva, leader of the interim government, demanded his resignation. She said Bakiyev was trying to rally supporters in his power base in the south. The uprising, which began in the northern town of Talas on Tuesday soon spread to the capital Bishkek. A missionary living in Jalalabad Bakiyev’s home town reports, ‘Bakiyev is reported to be in Osh - the second city of Kyrgyzstan located further west. It’s still peaceful here right now. Bishkek is a mess. There’s meant to be a new government led by a woman in the opposition party. Nothing has been signed officially so anything could still happen. There are differing reports on numbers dead maybe 1-200 casualties with hundreds more injured. Looting has been going on in Bishkek and even here shops are closed.’
Pray: for the situation in Kyrgyzstan that the problems will not escalate and there would be peace. (Pr.12:20)