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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Court verdict on Iranian pastor issued soon
Iran (MNN) -- The plight of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani is still up in
the air. Nadarkhani, called a cult leader by some, was charged and convicted
of apostasy and could face the death penalty. While Mission Network News has
been talking about this case for a couple of years, Todd Nettleton with
Voice of the Martyrs says the world is just now waking up. "Secular media
organizations have covered it. U.S. government officials--including the
White House--have spoken out about it. Other officials in other countries
have spoken out on his behalf." Now the government's bring false charges
against him. But why? Nettleton thinks he knows. "The government of Iran is
petrified by the growth of the church in Iran. They are shocked and appalled
at the amount of people leaving Islam to follow Jesus Christ. I think there
is an element of: 'We need to make an example of this guy.'"
* Pray that Pastor Nadarkhani will remain steadfast in his faith and will
not despair.
* Pray that God will exalt His name and protect His sheep in the face of
injustice and persecution.
[FULL STORY -- http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16326]
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Violent clashes erupt between Egypt's Christians, police
Egypt (MNN) -- Deadly violent clashes between Christians and security forces
erupted in Egypt last weekend. It started with a Muslim dispute over a
reconstructed church and an unusually violent response from police. Terry
Ascott, CEO of SAT-7 -- a Christian satellite television ministry to the
Middle East and North Africa -- thinks the situation will be a recurring
part of the landscape. "It just reflects pent-up frustration and bad will by
a minority of Muslim peoples who want to marginalize Christians and to keep
them 'in their place.'" Egypt's Christian leaders declared a 3-day mourning
period this week. While staff morale is struggling, Ascott explains that
SAT-7's programming response plays a vital role toward encouraging viewers
toward the peace of Christ. "We'll have Christian leaders there reminding
them of their calling to be 'salt and light,' to be forgiving, to 'turn the
other cheek,' and to be loving in these situations." Keep praying for both
wisdom and boldness for the Gospel.
* Pray for a peaceful resolution.
* Pray for safety and wisdom for ministry leaders.
* Pray that God will give many listeners "ears to hear" the Gospel as
SAT-7 faithfully broadcasts the truth of God's Word.
[FULL STORY -- http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16334]
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Government officials resign in protest of Egypt's handling of protest
Egypt (MNN)-- Egypt has lost her finance minister and her deputy prime
minister. Both men resigned in protest over the government's handling of
protests that left 26 dead this week. Open Doors USA President Carl Moeller
says, "I think it's a good sign that the seriousness of this issue is taking
root in the political structures and in the emerging political reality.
Egypt cannot have a future if it chooses to have extremists dictate the
future for Egypt." Muslim/Christian tensions have a low flashpoint right
now. "Pray that the natural, normal emotions of grief don't evolve into
anger and rage to produce a cycle of violence that would further escalate
this crisis." Moeller adds that there is opportunity for Gospel change.
"Egypt is a thought leader; it's the intellectual capital of Islam. We need
to remember that as Egypt goes, so goes most of the Muslim world, so this is
a vital place for us to be targeting our prayers."
* Pray that extremists will not rule in Egypt.
* Pray for believers in the region to find strength and refuge in
Christ.
* Pray for peace to be restored.
[FULL STORY -- http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16341]
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Iranian pastor gets retrial
Iran (MNN) -- Sloppy work on the apostasy case against an Iranian pastor has
led to a retrial. For now, it's a reprieve for Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.
Spokesman for Voice of the Martyrs Canada Greg Musselman adds, "The
Ayatollah Khomeini is getting involved with this, which is very unusual. The
Iranian government is looking for some kind of back door out of this
situation." Prayer and international pressure also played a role in the
decision. While it's good news, the danger hasn't passed yet. "There's still
the possibility that Nadarkhani could be executed at any time. It's a very
erratic kind of government, so we need to pray for him and his family, and
also for the church in Iran that they would continue to be strong, that they
would not be intimidated." There's no date set for a new trial yet. In the
meantime, even though the church is growing, the intimidation poses a risk
to Gospel work. Musselman urges prayer against fear. "We do know that the
church is growing in Iran. Many young people are coming to know the Lord,
but these kinds of cases make it very difficult for Christians."
* Pray that international pressure will have great effect for Pastor
Nadarkhani and others like him who are persecuted for their faith.
* Pray that Pastor Nadarkhani will experience unexplainable peace and
joy despite his circumstances.
[FULL STORY -- http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16345]
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Orphan Outreach team in Guatemala as floods kill 13 nearby
Guatemala (MNN) -- A tropical depression has slammed Central America with
heavy rains and is responsible for at least 13 deaths in Guatemala already.
In surrounding nations, many more have lost their lives as a result of the
weather. At least 23 total have been killed, according to reports. An Orphan
Outreach short-term mission team is there in Guatemala, in the midst of the
storm. Trip leader Robin Tompkins says people have died nearby. "We have
heard that eight people have lost their lives in the last 24 hours in
neighboring villages." All members of their team are safe, but their work
has been disrupted. Torrential rains have ruined roads. "There are puddles
everywhere, and you just don't know if roads are going to be washed away or
not." The team is in Guatemala primarily to help with medical needs, but the
rains have affected even that work. "It has caused changes in schedule. In
fact, today was our last day at clinic in Chickmuk, and we had a total of 12
people as opposed to 125 the last two days." The team has been asked to stay
in Guatemala for emergency medical work at a local hospital if needed.
* Pray for the safety of the Orphan Outreach team.
* Pray that the team will be a light to those around them in the midst
of this adversity.
[FULL STORY -- http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16347]
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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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