Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. This is your
weekly Mission Network News prayer bulletin.
Here are your weekly prayer items. Please pray over them during your
personal devotional time and at your church prayer meeting.
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Norway terrorist claims Christianity plus Darwinism
Norway (MNN) -- Norwegian churches were open throughout last weekend,
mourning the loss of nearly 100 people killed in the terrorist attack Friday
July 22. 32-year-old Anders Breivik is in custody, charged in the Oslo
bombing and youth camp shooting. Norwegian-born RK Ulrich with The Bridge
International says Breivik is described as a fundamentalist Christian, but
most Norwegians claim Christianity because the state-sponsored church is
Lutheran. "When you're born, you're born into the church automatically. A
lot of people are defined as Christians in Norway, but they may never have
seriously read the Bible or have a relationship with God." Breivik claims
Darwinism in his manifesto. Ulrich objects to his "Christian" description,
saying it could fuel anti-Christian propaganda around the world. "It's such
a great opportunity for someone in opposition to the whole Judeo-Christian
worldview to say, 'Look, these are crazy people. To become a Christian, you
become like him.'" Listen to Ulrich's complete interview on our Web site.
* Pray for the families and friends of those who were murdered.
* Pray that the hearts of the Norwegian people will be open to the
Gospel.
(Read more at: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16008)
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Ethiopian church poised to help drought victims
Ethiopia (MNN) -- More than 10 million people are being affected by the
worst drought in 60 years in the Horn of Africa. The U.N. has now declared
the situation a famine. Some of the hardest-hit areas include Ethiopia and
Somalia. Steve Wile, Canada President of WorldServe Ministries, puts it in
perspective. "In this particular area, there are likely five million people
who are living in a food insecure area. They're in an emergency situation,
or they're in a crisis situation." The local church wants to be involved in
this predominately-Muslim region, says Wile. "What the church wants to do is
make the local church the hub, then to reach out to meet the needs in the
community." As the church offers the proverbial "cup of cold water," they
display Christ. Wiles says they can't do it on their own: they don't have
the money. "We're looking to raise funds so that the church can provide the
resources."
* Pray that through His people God will provide the needed funding to
help the church in Ethiopia be the hands and feet of Christ.
(For more, go to: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16006)
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More to Malawi unrest than meets the eye, says CURE
Malawi (MNN) -- Protests and unrest that led to over a dozen deaths in
Malawi have filled headlines, but there's more to the story than meets the
eye. Stuart Palmer, Executive Director for the CURE International Malawi
hospital, says demonstrations were planned. "Increasingly, ordinary people
have become frustrated by the unwillingness of the current president to
listen to their perfectly reasonable concerns." Peaceful protests were
planned for every city, but things went awry. "Although there was some
unrest in the last week, it was really a criminal minority that was taking
advantage of a peaceful demonstration, using it really as cover to do some
extremely organized looting." Police responded, and lives were lost. CURE's
patient attendance dropped 50%. For now, things are peaceful, but if the
president doesn't respond by August 17, there could be more trouble.
* Pray that there is some material change in the dialogue that's
happening between now and the 17th of August.
* Pray that CURE would be a beacon of Christ's hope in Malawi.
(For more, go to: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16017)
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Why so long for famine declaration?
Somalia (MNN) -- Famine is a deadly killer. It is officially declared only
when malnutrition levels shoot up to over 30%. But the UN declaration of
famine in two areas of Somalia seemed to have come a little late. When the
UN declared famine last Wednesday, malnutrition rates were already at a
staggering 55% in those areas. Giving the tag of "famine" sooner would have
helped focus more aid effort sooner to the people in need. Jeff Palmer with
Baptist Global Response comments on the delayed reaction. "Now it's just
reached critical levels and the media are here of course, major news
networks are beginning to pick up. But this is something that is not new. I
mean this is something that, with the extended drought, is getting worse and
worse. And I'll be honest, I'm not a pessimist. It's gonna get worse before
it gets better." On the other hand, BGR has been bringing aid with the
Gospel message to the area long before now. "We're already in there. We've
been there. We're going to be there for long term. It is critical now, so I
am glad that they did declare [famine]."
* Pray that the Gospel message would be boldly declared and give hope to
the helpless.
* Pray that donations would increase for this crisis.
* Pray that relief efforts would continue in abundance.
(For the full story, go to: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16021)
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Nigerian Christians to be attacked today
Nigeria (MNN) -- Attacks on northern Nigeria's Christians are scheduled for
today. Carl Moeller with Open Doors, USA says, "There is a specific attack
that is scheduled for July 30, and this is causing a great deal of concern
on the parts of Christians throughout the country." The attack has been
declared by Nigerian terror group Boko Haram. July 28 marks the second
anniversary of the death of the al-Qaeda-linked group's founder. Christians
are fleeing. "Christians have been very concerned about being drawn into
that violence through revenge and so forth. So rather than get into that
sort of cycle of violence, the Christians have opted to leave--at least
temporarily." But fleeing for any reason looks like surrender to Boko Haram.
"They may not kill all the Christians in a region, but if they can get them
to flee, it effectively accomplishes the same goal for them." Join Open
Doors for 21 days of prayer for the safety of believers and for the
salvation of their persecutors.
* Pray that Boko Haram members would come to Christ.
* Pray that believers would be safe.
* Join Open Doors in praying and fasting for Nigeria for 21 days.
(Find more info at: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16028)
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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
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