Israel: Syrian infighting spills into Israel
Three mortar shells fired from Syria hit Israel on Thursday. One shell landed on a northern Israeli community, the other two exploded in open areas, in what appears to have been erroneous targeting. This is the third unusual incident involving Syria in less than a week. See: On Saturday three Syrian tanks crossed the demilitarized border in the Golan Heights. The demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights is patrolled by U.N. peacekeepers to maintain a ceasefire between the neighbours. Israeli media said the tanks were involved in the fighting with rebels. Israeli U.N. Ambassador Ron Prosor said, ‘The international community and the Security Council should address this alarming development without delay to prevent further dangerous escalation.’
Pray: for the security and stability of the region. (Ps.9:3-5)
Egypt: Christians experience lack of law and order
Egyptian Christians have requested our prayers following a series of similar incidents in several provinces across the country in which Christians have been threatened or attacked. Egyptian Christians are keen to stress that there are a range of motivations behind these incidents, and the primary call is for prayer that effective rule of law will be established and applied equitably to all citizens and institutions throughout the country. On 5th Nov a group of Salafists occupied church-owned land in the Shubra district of Cairo. In early Nov the General Manager of the Coptic Agricultural Bank was kidnapped, a ransom was demanded, but effective police action led to his release on 4th Nov with no payment made. In late Oct a Christian concert was stopped. These incidents often occur as a result of inadequate state security provision. Since January 2011 Christian communities have become increasingly vulnerable. Authorities seem unable or reluctant to protect Christians from extremist assailants.
Pray: the government will uphold the rule of law. Pray also for the new constitution currently being drafted. (Ps.7:9)
North Africa: Sudan/South Sudan border negotiations
Sudan and South Sudan continue to try to negotiate their common border with the help of the UN. The struggle remains over oil resources and pipelines where there is continual border fighting. Refugees who fled Sudan after South Sudan's independence live in dire conditions. Their situation worsens as the rains have started. More than 20,000 Sudanese refugees need to be relocated from the waterlogged and overcrowded refugee camps in South Sudan's Upper Nile. Living conditions, massive influxes of people and lack of potable water have made some camps unlivable. One refugee camp has reached its maximum capacity of 34,500 refugees. We are asked to pray for the basic needs of these refugees to be met, (water, food and sanitation). Pray for the young, old, and frail–the most vulnerable. Ask the Lord to defend the weak and the fatherless and uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Pray: for the negotiators to find a peaceful way forward in the face of extreme hostilities. For justice and righteousness to prevail and protection for those living in this area. (Pr. 11:6 & , Ps.82:2-3)
USA: America has chosen its future
On paper, Mr Obama should have been in trouble. He became the first president to achieve re-election since FDR with an unemployment rate of 7.9 per cent. A swathe of statewide ballots culminated in US states supporting legalizing marijuana for recreational use, allowing gay marriage and rejecting a call to ban public funding for abortions. These moves were decided among more than 170 ballot initiatives and referendums held across the country. The upsides of Mr Obama's victory ensures the survival of healthcare reform bringing the US more or less into line with other rich countries providing guaranteed coverage, if and when implemented, for all their citizens; and American foreign policy will be in the hands of a leader of proven cool and sound judgement, who no longer has to worry about his next election. Mitt Romney urged his supporters to set aside partisan differences and Barack Obama also stated his desire to work with Mitt Romney to take the country forward.
Pray: the President to have a united government that will successfully implement solutions to the challenges ahead.(Eph.4:3)
