Syria: May 11th Day of Prayer for Syria
In an extraordinary show of unity of Christian denominations - Churches in Syria will unite in prayer on Saturday 11th May and are asking their brothers and sisters around the world to pray and fast with them. ‘As Christians in Syria continue to suffer from the devastating effects of the two-year-old civil war including killings, kidnappings, homelessness, lack of food and shelter and closing of schools; they are also seeing that God's hand is at work as all denominations are joining in passionate prayer.’ said Open Doors representative Steve Ridgway. ‘Christians in Syria know only Jesus can bring redemption and true peace. I urge you to take time on May 11 to pray with Syrian believers for their country. Please pray for:- The release of two Orthodox bishops, kidnapped in April, and other Christians who are missing; counselling for children who have been traumatized by violence; return of peace'.
Pray: for God to watch over the third of the population who are either refugees outside the country or homeless inside Syria. (Zec.9:8)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/syrias.churches.to.unite.in.prayer/32277.htm
Iraq: Child victims of war
In the 1970s, Iraq was one of the best countries in the Middle East and North Africa to be a child, but after decades of war and neglect it is one of the worst. According to the Iraqi government almost 1 in 3 children have lost one or both parents and approximately 600,000 children are living on the streets. Child labour has increased (15% of children under 14 now working). By 2008 over 2 million children had been displaced since 2003. Internally displaced children are often victims of crime, exploitation and abduction. Each year around 35,000 infants die before their first birthday, Over 1.5 million children under the age of five are undernourished; around 700,000 children are not enrolled in primary school. Thousands of children have been maimed by the war and subsequent violence. Many have lost limbs but their families are unable to afford the most basic aids such as crutches or wheelchairs let alone prosthesis. The rights of many Iraqi children to be with family and community, in good health and in appropriate education have been violated by war.
Pray: for governments to provide support for those who have been exploited, maimed and or phaned by war. (Ps.72:4)
Morocco: Fatwa demands death sentence for Christian converts
On April 25th Morocco’s highest Islamic institute issued a fatwa demanding the death penalty for Muslims who renounce their religion. The Supreme Ulema Council of Morocco (CSO) a body of Islamic scholars headed by King Mohammed VI said that Muslims who reject their faith ‘should be condemned to death.’ CSO is the only instit ution entitled to issue 'fatwas' (religious decrees) in Morocco. The ministry of Islamic affairs declined to comment on the issue and a senior human rights official in the Moroccan government denied reports that the government received a fatwa on ‘apostasy.’ The different statements could not be immediately reconciled but local Christians expressed concern about the situation saying it could lead to a new crackdown on the country's tiny Christian communi ty of 22,000 people in a nation of 32 million. ‘There's a lot of confusion and discussion in Morocco right no w about the fatwa,’ said a Marrakech pastor.
Pray: that the fatwa will not be approved and for Christians to be protected from harassm ent and arrest. (Ps.90:17)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/28041-morocco-fatwa-demands-death-sentence-for-christian-converts
North Korea: UK churches praying
God loves North Korea yet few there know of his character. The Church in North Korea exists within a climate of fear and oppression whilst its political leaders teach a religion of self-reliance and isolation from the nations called Juche. Christians in the UK are signing up to pray for North Korea over the next two years with Project Cyrus, an initiative of BMS World Mission. North Korean Christians face imprisonment and torture if their faith is discovered by the authorities. BMS are looking for individuals to intercede for a new freedom in North Korea that allows believers to share the good news of Jesus without persecution. Individuals and churches that sign up will receive free monthly updates, a bookmark and prayer wristband. There are also regular PowerPointsfor church services and prayer meetings.
Pray: that many across the UK will catch God’s compassion and vision for North Korea as they commit to pray regularly for change. (1Tim. 2:1-2)
More: http://www.bmsworldmission.org/support-us/pray-with-us/project-cyrus/sign-a-church
