Greetings from Mission Network News, a daily news service of Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. This is your weekly Mission Network News prayer bulletin. You're receiving this update because you signed our guest book. If you'd like to be removed from this list please follow the instructions at the bottom of this email.
Here are your weekly prayer items. Please pray over them during your personal devotional time and at your church prayer meeting.
___________________________________________________________________
Iran's religious minorities may feel impact of U.S. Congress budget issues
Iran (MNN) -- Amidst cost-cutting efforts coming up in Congress is a humanitarian program that supports persecuted Christians in Iran. Evangelist Sammy Tippit experienced firsthand some of the oppression against the Gospel. The loss of the Lautenberg Amendment could be devastating for believers who would be trapped. "Lamar Smith, a Congressman from Texas, has this package that is being put together whereby Iranians would not be processed to get out of the country and here to the United States, those who are persecuted for their faith." Most Iranian Christians only leave in extreme circumstances. The expense-free humanitarian program grants asylum. Not renewing it beggars the imagination. "We have a rich history of those who are persecuted for their faith coming to this country." Things are changing in that Islamic Republic. Pray. "God is just working in an incredibly supernatural way. People are coming to Christ." We also have a link at our Web site so you can voice your opinion on the Lautenberg Amendment.
* Pray that the doors remain open for believers.
* Pray for courage, unity and wisdom for Christians in Iran.
___________________________________________________________________
Pakistan's blasphemy laws used to target Bible
Pakistan (MNN) -- Radical Muslim clerics are taking aim at the Bible. A small but well-connected sect wants Pakistan's Supreme Court to ban certain passages in Scripture under the country's notorious "blasphemy" laws. Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says, "They say that there won't be trouble as long as the courts act in this case, as long as the courts do what they want them to." They disapprove of the flawed depictions of those regarded as prophets. When asked if such a petition would cause more trouble for believers, Nettleton says, "At this point, it's a lot of noise. If it starts to be motion toward actually banning the Scriptures, that will be a huge concern." Even if the motion gains traction, Gospel outreach won't be hampered much. "The reality is that Christians are already taking great risks in Pakistan to share their faith. Some are even going into the most devout Islamic areas to share their faith with people there." Pray. There's more online.
* Pray that believers will continue to minister in wisdom.
* Pray that the courts will rule according to the Constitution.
* Pray for justice in Pakistan.
___________________________________________________________________
Latvia's upheaval leaves the vulnerable at risk
Latvia (MNN) -- Latvia is getting a huge loan from the World Bank to help its social services recover from the national fiscal crises. With the country emerging from the austerity measures it took in 2008 at the height of the global financial crisis, many of its infrastructure services got cut. According to the International Monetary Fund, this round of funding is supposed to help national and local government agencies with child development programs, cover the cost of transporting students, exempt needy households from certain medical expenses, and improve access to basic health care services. However, Tiffany Taylor with Orphan Outreach says unfortunately, the small private groups have already been told not to expect government help. Without help, the poorest of the poor will fall through the cracks. "We have not heard that it would actually go to these programs. These programs have been told not to count on any additional funds at all." Every minute counts for the kids they're helping at the Karosta Day Center. "Many of the children we are working with literally have nothing to eat. The only meal that they get is the one meal that they are getting at this Day Center. Before they came to the Day Center, they were literally scrounging in trash for food." Orphan Outreach need at least 40 more sponsorships for kids. Meeting the physical needs means so much more in these areas. Taylor says their program will "open the doors wide and tell the kids all about Christ who loves them and a heavenly Father who wants to be their loving Father, for these children who don't even understand what a 'loving Father' is."
* Ask God to continue to resource this project.
* Pray for wisdom for ministry leaders as they respond to the crisis.
* Pray for doors to remain open for the Gospel.
___________________________________________________________________
Islamic terrorists seeking to destabilize Nigeria
Nigeria (MNN)-- Violence has gripped Nigeria, and extremists want to impose Sharia law throughout the country. Since the election of a Christian president, extremists been responsible for numerous assassinations, attacks, and church bombings. Carl Moeller with Open Doors says, "The Boko Haram, which is really an offshoot of al Qaeda, has really taken on that election as a touch point for inciting more violence against Christians and making it more of a political struggle as well as Nigeria. This is possibly a leading indicator of increased violence in that country." Christians are the most vulnerable to attacks. A downward spiral into the retaliation cycle will only work to the Boko Haram's advantage. The hope of Christ is the most effective way to counter. "The true Christians really want to be a force for good and even to see the salvation of those who are persecuting them so we can pray with them in that. We can pray that they would continue to support law and order in that country and ultimately be part of a healing process in a nation that is really torn down the middle."
* Pray for a peaceful transition.
* Ask God for both wisdom and direction for the Open Doors Nigerian team.
* Pray that believers would not be intimidated into silence.
___________________________________________________________________
Heavy rain lashes Haiti prompting cholera outbreak
Haiti (MNN) -- Haiti cannot catch a break. Heavy rains this week triggered flooding and landslides that killed 23 people. Dozens of camps around Port-au-Prince were flooded, and hundreds of families were affected. Jeff Vandermolen with Kids Alive International says, "Because of the heavy rains, the sanitation has begun to deteriorate again. Some of the polluted water that has been the cause of the cholera is now more widespread." However, this time around, the medical community isn't being caught flat-footed. Kids Alive is in the north near Cap Haitien where few cases have been reported. Prevention is key: "We're continuing to practice clean water and good hygiene within our ministry, within our schools, within our residential program," says Vandermolen. With the last crisis so fresh on people's minds, they're coming to Kids Alive for help. "Certainly that provides us an opportunity to speak with them about Jesus and to be a very practical part of their life and extension of our faith." Pray that Kid's Alive teams will resist fear and boldly share the hope of Christ.
* Ask God to watch over team members as they continue outreach.
* Pray for health for the staff.
* Pray that doors stay remain open for the Gospel.
___________________________________________________________________
Mission Network News is dedicated to keeping Christians informed about missions and evangelism around the world. Our goal is to help you become engaged in missions through praying more effectively, giving or going to the field short or long term.
Thank you for your dedication and heart for world missions. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. May God richly bless you as you serve Him today!
In His grip,
Greg Yoder, Executive Director
Mission Network News
1.800.284.9361
616.942.1500
No comments:
Post a Comment