USA: Relationship with Israel
Universities in the US are experiencing a heated and polarised debate about the Israel / Palestine conflict. On campuses across the country, pro-Palestinian students are holding ‘Israel Apartheid Week’ in which they claim that Israel is acting illegally. Students are setting up mock checkpoints to share with their fellow students the daily reality for Palestinians of living under Israeli occupation. In response this year, pro-Israel students have raised their voices with a counter message, and have begun a pro-Israel voice to the conversation on their campuses concerning the state of Israel - by confronting these views in their classrooms, writing articles in their campus newspapers, and holding hundreds of pro-Israel events to present their viewpoint to fellow students..
Pray: for students in US universities to seek the peace of Jerusalem and not to perpetuate this polarised debate. (Gen.12:3)
World: Christians agree code of conduct
On 28th June three organizations, representing 90% of world Christianity launched a global code of conduct for proselytizing in a bid to reduce tensions between different religious convictions. ‘Today represents an historic moment in our shared Christian witness. This is the first time that a document has been issued by the World Council of Churches together with the World Evangelical Alliance and the Pontifical Council for the Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See,’ said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran. The three groups represent nearly two billion Christians. The document will cause all Christians to work in unity as they ‘re-examine’ practices in light of their life and teachings of Jesus.
Pray: that Christians will not only work together but receive God's blessing and become an even stronger voice on behalf of those suffering oppression and persecution. (Ps.133)
More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=4991
Middle East: Unity in mission
In Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and across the Middle East Christian mission workers have many diverse approaches to fulfilling the Great Commission. This diversity in recent years has raised issues regarding ministry among Muslims and pushed Christian leaders into two different camps. God desires unity. Right now over 50 leaders are gathering in the USA sharing viewpoints in the spirit of Christ to listen, ask questions, hear one another's hearts and concerns, and move toward increased mutual understanding and appreciation for each other. We can cover this meeting in prayer asking the Lord to show them His way forward; that the consultation would bring stronger Christ-honouring interaction and deeper understanding of God’s work in the light of His word; that these meetings will result in greater understanding and unity among workers in the Muslim world and that the gathering will build bridges and help move public discourse into more positive directions
Pray: that the schemes of the devil would be defeated and the glory of Jesus would shine more brightly into the Muslim world. (Ps.2:9-11)
More Answered Prayer in the Mexican Drug War!
During our last Connections prayer alert, we featured the Mexican drug war and asked you to pray for the apprehension of the remaining seventeen “most wanted” drug cartel leaders, people who are utterly ruthless criminals, responsible not only for the deaths of tens of thousands of people in Mexico but also the enslavement of many through drug shipments in the USA and other parts of the world. God is answering the prayers of many in Mexico and elsewhere with the interception of many drug shipments and by turning one cartel against another in chaotic fights for dominance. Remember how He often did this with the enemies of Israel as they attacked His people?
