USA: Governor calls for prayer for the miles of destruction
Residents of Moore are trying to recover and clean up as the Governor asked America to pray for Oklahoma. While people were at work and children in school a 20 mile long 1¼ miles wide tornado hit Moore on the outskirts of Oklahoma City. A resident said, ‘It's like a bomb dropped on Moore. I just praise God my daughter is safe.’ A fire fighter among the first responders to the crisis said that the devastation was unimaginable. ‘You could tell the people who lost everything. They have that look- like they aren't all there. They just walk around in a daze.’ Neighbourhoods are unrecognizable.’ Rescuers braved the danger of electrocution and fire from downed power lines and ruptured natural gas lines. President Obama has declared a major disaster. See: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324787004578495501019509408.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_3 51people were killed, including 20 children. Some of the most heartbreaking stories have involved children, with the town's two schools taking a direct hit
Pray: for families of the deceased, and for the thousands who have been affected by homes, schools, businesses and medical centres being destroyed. (Ps.20:1a)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2013/May/At-Least-20-Children-among-Oklahomas-Dead/
Israel: Swastika flag flies over Palestinian village
On Monday Israel's Tazpit News Agency reported that hundreds of residents of the Gush Etzion area were ‘astounded’ to find a Nazi flag flying next to a mosque in the Palestinian town of Beit Ummar. The IDF were notified immediately. Local resident Uri Arnon said, ‘I felt we were going back 75 years, losing our hold on the land. The Arabs no longer feel the need to hide their murderous tendencies, announcing out loud that they wish to destroy us.’ Gush Etzion is a cluster of Israeli settlements of 70,000 people founded in the 1920’s south of Jerusalem. After the Six-Day War in 1967 many settlements, and a number of new ones, were rebuilt. There has been a history of Nazi sympathizers in the area among some Palestinians since the 1920’s when the Palestinian leader Haj Amin al Husseini (an outspoken Nazi collaborator) recruited Muslims to serve in the SS.
Pray: against violent sectarian incidences in the area. (Ps.46:9)
Iran: Riot police and threatened church closures in run up to June election
A former president supported by Iran’s moderates and considered a founding member of the Islamic republic was disqualified from being a candidate in Iran’s election, as was Ahmadinejad’s top aide Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei - their omission could cause a backlash from rivals of Iran’s conservative establishment. Large groups of riot police, similar to those on Tehran’s streets after the contested 2009 election results, patrolled on motorcycles throughout Tehran on Tuesday for the first time in more than a year. Many believe this was in anticipation of the candidate announcement. President Ahmadinejad cannot run for election again. He is limited to two terms. Under Iran's theocratic system Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wields supreme power making final decisions on nuclear and military questions. Meanwhile on Tuesday an AOG pastor in Tehran was detained as part of Iran's wider crackdown on evangelical believers. His church prepares for possible closure early June after pressure from the Intelligence Ministry. See: http://www.christianpersecution.info/index.php?view=12285
Pray: that the new president will embark on an international image makeover and open the door to less hostile relations with Christians, their Arab neighbours and the West. (Mic.4:3)
Central African Republic: Islamists terrorising Christians
Churches and mission stations are being looted, destroyed and pillaged by militia soldiers from the Central African Republic's new government. Sources in the country reported a number of Christians being killed or wounded in attacks by the Islamist rebel group Seleka which seized control of the country in March. Attacks include the pillaging of the Holy Ghost Fathers' motherhouse by armed gunmen, the abduction of Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Bangui, and the Cathedral rector. Bishop Albert Vanbuel said the current situation is ‘a rebellion by religious extremists with evil intentions, characterised by a deliberate programme of desecration and destruction of religious buildings, especially Christian ones. They are targeting Catholic and Protestant churches. Throughout the country, the Catholic Church has paid dearly with many buildings damaged. The elements from Seleka continue to kill each day.’ Many Christians have fled their homes and taken refuge in the countryside, following militia attacks. There are many wounded and homeless needing essential blankets, food, and medicine.
Pray: against fear, hatred, violence and death, and for the Church powerfully to demonstrate peace and life throughout the region. (Is.3:10a &11a)
More: http://www.acnuk.org/news.php/428/central-african-republic-islamists-terrorising-christians
