Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
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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Glaring omissions from Religious Freedom Commission
International (MNN) -- The "Annual Report on International Religious
Freedom" details the world's chronic, long-term violators of religious
rights. Carl Moeller with Open Doors USA says while the awareness is good,
there were notable omissions. "The Congressional Commission on International
Religious Freedom says they recommended Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Turkmenistan, and Vietnam to be on that list." The omissions weren't lost on
the world stage, and that could cost the U.S. credibility. "If people cannot
trust us to live up to our own values in our laws and in our Constitution,
then how can they be expected to trust us with more economic and military
issues? We will lose allies left and right on these questions as we seek to
influence foreign policy around the world." Why get involved? "These
countries all represent heinous places for Christians to try and live out
their Christian faith. If we are going to stand with the church that is
standing literally against the gates of hell in these situations, we need to
become informed on the conditions that they face."
* Pray for open hearts to the hope of Christ.
* Pray for more advocates on behalf of the persecuted church.
* Pray for strength and boldness for believers.
(Find more details at -- http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16242)
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Death toll likely to rise from rural quake in Northern India
India (MNN) -- Bad weather is hampering emergency relief efforts in the wake
of a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern India late last Sunday.
Right now, the death toll is fairly low. However, Daniel Punnose with Gospel
For Asia says, "In talking to our people on the field, the death toll could
be up in the hundreds of thousands because of the rural areas where this
quake hit. People will take a long time to get up into the mountains."
Mudslides, monsoon rains, rock falls, and more aftershocks are preventing
the aid trucks from getting to the worst-hit area. Punnose says, "Wherever
our churches are, immediately the believers will get together and provide
food, shelter, clothing, and bring people to the hospital." GFA has a
long-term response, too. As the crisis calms, despair may set in. Here, too,
GFA teams are the hands and feet of Christ. Says Punnose, "A lot of it has
to do with meeting the physical needs, but also sharing the love of Christ
with them, counseling them, encouraging them and helping them to not feel
like this is the end of their life."
* Pray for provision to assist the survivors.
* Ask God to send the right people to meet these needs.
* Pray for wisdom and strength for ministry leaders.
(Learn more at -- http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16245)
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Blast rattles Turkey's capital, sets nerves on edge
Turkey (MNN) -- An explosion rocked downtown Ankara, Turkey Tuesday. The
blast killed three and wounded 34. Though no one claimed responsibility for
the car bomb, fingers are pointing to the Kurdish rebels. More than that,
says IN Network's Rody Rodeheaver, "I think this shows that terrorism can
happen any place. It's very hard to control. It is a continued reminder of
the direction that the world is going in, the insecurities, and the danger."
The fighting is accelerating, but Rodeheaver says their team remains
dedicated to living out the Gospel in a hostile environment. Why? "In the
midst of that," says Rodeheaver, "Christ has called Christians to stand, to
love, to bring healing and peace, and to reach out to people with the great
message of the love of Christ."
* Pray for continued open doors for the Gospel.
* Pray for safety and wisdom for ministry leaders.
(For more info, go to -- http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16250)
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Typhoon Roke swipes at Japan's sore spot
Japan (MNN) -- Typhoon Roke took a swipe at the disaster zone in Japan
Wednesday. In its wake, there was more flooding and disruption, but also a
sigh of relief. Joe Handley, president of Asian Access, says their teams
will continue to do what they've been doing in response to the most-recent
situation. "The initial stages were just to get a feel for what was
happening, provide immediate assistance as much as possible, and then to do
a discovery process, finding out what the real needs were on the ground."
Because of the tsunami, A2 teams were already in place and networked. Within
the next three to five years, they're hoping to plant 1000 churches. "The
place where Christ's name has not been very prominent all of a sudden is
becoming quite the story," says Handley. "Churches are a key force for
providing aid. We've come alongside these churches and helped equip them to
be the centers for relief in their communities."
* Pray for continued open doors for the Gospel.
* Pray wisdom and strength for the ministry leaders.
* Ask God to continue providing the resources for these projects.
(Learn more at -- http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16256)
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MAF helps cholera/measles epidemic in Congo
Congo, Kinshasa (MNN) -- Cholera and measles are creating havoc in a nation
that's just now beginning to recover from the effects of civil war.
Epidemics of both diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlight a
nation in recovery. Program Manager for Mission Aviation Fellowship West
Congo region Ron Wismer says Congo has been at war basically since 1998. As
a result, "A lot of the vaccination programs have fallen through. And
epidemics like measles are occurring and will continue to occur if we don't
get vaccinations going. Fortunately, we've been able to reach remote areas
with vaccinations and stop some of the spread." MAF has carried medical
staff and 14,000 pounds of vaccines and medical supplies to support 24
mobile clinics. Wismer says MAF pilots serve a dual role as they fight these
diseases. "The pilots are the front-line evangelists. They're trying to help
people understand that we are doing this for more than the humanitarian
aspect, but the spiritual aspect of helping the whole person."
* Pray that God will encourage more people to get involved in the
ministry of MAF.
* Pray that God will protect and encourage MAF staff as they provide
life-giving physical and spiritual aid.
(Read more at -- http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16263)
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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
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