MNN Prayer List For 29 Jan, 2012

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.

Here are your weekly prayer items. Please pray over them during your
personal devotional time and at your church prayer meeting.

___________________________________________________________________

North Sudan's warning bodes ill for Christians

Sudan (MNN) -- Pastors could be arrested for preaching in their own pulpits, if North Sudan has its way.

According to a report from Compass Direct News, the government wants to document all churches in the north.

Todd Nettleton with the Voice of the Martyrs USA says, "They're saying all the church leaders need to register with the

government; obviously, the next step after that is: 'Now we need to know all the members of your church.'"

Under Sharia, Gospel work is against the law. Registered churches will be first on the enforcement list.

"It's one thing if you're out evangelizing on the street, if you're leading Muslims to Christ. But to tell a pastor:

'Even in your own church, you're not allowed to stand up and preach,' that says that religious freedom is really

on the way out in Sudan." Nettleton says the changes will create challenges for ministries.

"For mission workers or other outsiders to go into Northern Sudan is going to become extremely difficult.

One of the ways that we can pray is that the church who is there already will be courageous, will not be intimidated by these things."

* Pray for boldness for the ministry teams and for opportunities to speak of Christ.

* Pray for protection for Christians facing intimidation and threats.

* Please pray that the Lord will strengthen His Church in Sudan.

(FULL STORY:
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16731)

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Boko Haram declares war in Nigeria

Nigeria (MNN) -- Police in Nigeria discovered ten more car bombs January 23 in Kano.

The city was already reeling from a Boko Haram attack several days earlier that killed 256.

Todd Nettleton, spokesman for Voice of the Martyrs USA, says the level of sophistication is what's

drawing their concern. "This was a very serious attack. It also shows the growing ability of Boko Haram

to coordinate attacks and to maximize the body count." The bombings targeted police and government

buildings. They've already hit international buildings, as well as churches. Nettleton says the government

hasn't been able to stop the terrorists or curb the violence. Church leaders are saying they will respond

with deadly force if provoked. And the Gospel? "Pray for wisdom for the Christians in Northern Nigeria

to know how to respond, to balance their own need for safety and protection while also living out the biblical

mandate to love our enemies and to forgive those who persecute us."

* Ask God for Gospel opportunities.

* Pray for a peaceful resolution.

* Pray for wisdom and safety for believers.

(FULL STORY:
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16736)

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Syria's Assad to be left alone?

Syria (MNN) -- Despite the Arab League's plea for elections, Syrian dictator Bashar Assad isn't going anywhere.

Syria rejected the Arab League's suggestion for new leadership on Monday. Then on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia and

Gulf Arab states decided to withdraw from Syria. What caused the change for those nations? Tom Doyle with E3

Partners says, "I think the other Arab nations risk isolation from Syria. In that area, they all need each other.

So the Gulf states have taken a step away. Eventually, probably it will all be a lot of talk for nothing."

In other words, barring international intervention, Assad will stay in power. Although the regime has been brutal,

Christians have felt less persecution lately, allowing them to reach out more openly. "We've seen an upsurge in the Gospel.

People are desperate; they're frustrated; they have lost a lot of hope. This is prime soil for the Gospel to just flourish."

Above all things political, pray for this fertile ground in Syria.

* Pray for the Gospel to keep spreading throughout Syria.

* Pray for continued safety and courage for believers.

(FULL STORY:
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16742)

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Burma's new day dawns

Burma (MNN) -- Burma's civilian government seems to be keeping on the path toward democracy and freedom.

Patrick Klein with Vision Beyond Borders says, "I really believe it's an answer to prayer. I believe this because a

lot of people have been praying, and God is bringing this to the forefront. It's an exciting time, and I never thought

that we would see this." The United States took steps to normalize relations ahead of an April election.

The question is: will it stick? Obvious concerns about broken promises surface. "As far as we know, there has been a

ceasefire signed with the Karen leaders. We're seeing changes. I'm constantly in touch with our contact inside Burma,

and he's saying these changes are real. They are lasting, and it's starting to affect the whole country." Because it's looking

so promising, VBB is adjusting their outlook. "We're working on setting up a program to sponsor more kids.

We're in the process of building more orphanages. Hopefully, the refugees will be able to come back in and we can put

them in the homes, and we'll be able to help them re-build their villages as well. It's kind of a shift.

It's like we've got to get the Gospel in, as well as helping with more humanitarian aid."

* Pray for continued healing in the region.

* Thank God for faithful workers.

* Pray that God will cause seeds of the Gospel to grow.

(FULL STORY:
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16748)

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National Conference and hope await Iraq

Iraq (MNN) -- Iraq's efforts toward keeping a coalition government together hinge on the outcome

of the National Conference. The trouble is, nobody can stop bickering long enough to set a time and

place for the meetings later this month. Still, according to Melissa Brown with SAT-7, the meetings

have to happen. "The President, the Prime Minister, and other notable politicians will get together and

try to resolve some of their interpersonal conflicts, try to resolve some of the security issues the nation

is facing--basically, just to get together and try to map out a better plan for the future." The country faces

significant challenges, and many Iraqis aren't sure the Conference will succeed. They're looking for something

to alleviate their despair, which is where the Christian satellite programming of SAT-7 comes in.

"Christians in Iraq offer hope to their country because the life of Christ offers an alternative to violence as a

means of resolving conflict. The life of Christ also offers an alternative to religious and ethnic discrimination

in the community, and the life of Christ offers an alternative to corruption."

* Pray for wisdom for staff as they provide a forum for hope through Christ.

* Pray that SAT-7 programs will be an effective conduit for God's Word and His Gospel.

(FULL STORY:
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/16754)

___________________________________________________________________

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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Fw: [mnn-friends] MNN Prayer List For 15 Jan, 2012

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.

Here are your weekly prayer items. Please pray over them during your
personal devotional time and at your church prayer meeting.

___________________________________________________________________

No good solution for a suffering Syria

Syria (MNN) -- A suicide bombing that killed 26 people in Damascus Friday is being blamed on the Syrian government.

It looks like a terrorist attack against the government. But the opposition claims the government staged it to sway the Arab League in favor of president Assad.

Since no outside media is allowed into Syria, it's hard to know what's true. But Carl Moeller, CEO of Open Doors USA, says the media has taken sides anyway.

"One of the great paradoxes of our experience with media on this issue is that they have been portraying many of these revolutions as pure and democratically-motivated,

just to bring freedom." Terrible as Assad is, says Moeller, the alternative is no better.

"Unfortunately, those that are taking the lead to overthrow him promise a return to a more Sharia-influenced, pure Islamic rule."

In that case, Christians could be even more persecuted. Speak up for them--they're afraid, but they are still spreading the Gospel.

* Pray for the future of Syria, a nation where much of the ancient church began.

* Pray for safety and peace for believers in Syria.

* Pray that this hostile situation would only provide more opportunities for the Gospel to break through.

(FULL STORY:
https://www.mnnonline.org/article/16673)

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Grisly findings in northern Mexico could signal more violence to come

Mexico (MNN) -- Grisly and threatening messages were delivered to Mexican authorities in Torreon, Mexico, last weekend.

The findings suggest a feud between local drug gangs, which could increase the scope of the violence. Spanish American

Mission President Doug Bytwerk says while the brutality is part of the landscape, it's really between the drug cartels.

That's not to say he's not concerned about a team that went in on Friday. "There are those who have been killed who

have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pray that our guys are not there at the wrong place when that type of

thing breaks out. Pray that God protects them, that they're able to continue on with their project." The team is working

on a Ministry Center near Torreon that will seat 600, and the Gospel witness is powerful there. "The cartel people know

our mission; they know what we're doing. They know Tony Gomez, who is our field chairman down there.

They respect him, (so) pray that they continue to respect him and leave him alone."

* Pray for continued open doors for the Gospel.

* Pray for wisdom and safety for ministry leaders and staff.

(FULL STORY:
https://www.mnnonline.org/article/16676)

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Muslim extremists haunt Christians in Nigeria

Nigeria (MNN) -- Nigeria's Boko Haram continued their killing spree last week with the deaths of two more Christians.

Carl Moller with Open Doors says the Boko Haram wants Sharia law over Nigeria. "One of the other goals of Boko Haram

that has been stated, as well, is much more threatening, and that's to destabilize the entire country.

The recent attacks are pointing in the direction of making this much more threatening for the entire government."

Chaos would undermine the government and divide the country once more. Christians feel more vulnerable with each attack.

"It does create an atmosphere of pain, suffering and fear within the existing churches that are exposed to the violence.

Open Doors comes alongside Christians that have been traumatized by these situations and helps them biblically."

There's been another effect: The Gospel is being heard in new places. "When Christians are willing to be killed simply for

following Jesus, that tends to inspire curiosity among those who are looking into it."

* Ask God for Gospel opportunities.

* Pray that the Boko Haram will be revealed and stopped.

* Pray for strength and wisdom for believers.

(FULL STORY:
https://www.mnnonline.org/article/16684)

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Strong quake rattles Indonesia's residents, memory

Indonesia (MNN) -- A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Banda Aceh, Indonesia last week.

Kathy Redmond with Compassion International says although a tsunami did not develop,

they're still waiting on word from their teams. Because their work is in Jakarta, she's not

expecting to see much in the way of damages. Still, "The issue that might cause some

concern is whether this 7.3 magnitude earthquake is a precursor to something else,

and what the aftershocks might bring. These people in Indonesia are used to disaster,

so I think their readiness is okay." Compassion works through the local churches,

and they are ready to respond when disaster strikes. "That church works around the

clock, especially in times of crisis or disaster. That's when it opens its doors.

That's when they have the water, blankets, the food, the medicine, things like that.

People are able to go to the church and get their needs met, and at the same time,

they do find the love of Christ in that church."

* Pray that the Gospel will be shared and received along with physical assistance.

* Thank God for His protection over the outreach.

* Pray for safety for the teams working in response.

(FULL STORY:
https://www.mnnonline.org/article/16687)

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After 60 years, Burma agrees to ceasefire with Karen rebels

Burma (MNN) -- Burma's government ended a six decade war in a ceasefire agreement

with Karen rebels this past Thursday. Vision Beyond Borders has taken care of thousands

of oppressed Karen people--many of whom are believers--as refugees. Now the ceasefire

is somewhat sudden, but VBB's Dyann Romeijn says, "We have heard from the Free

Burma Rangers who are on the ground there that they did send a letter to the government

and ask if they could be a part of negotiations of trying to work toward a solution."

Does the peace agreement seem genuine? "It's all speculation at this point, but we

are cautiously optimistic and always are encouraged whenever things can move in a positive

direction." Romeijn says if the conflict is over, the persecution may just be redistributed.

VBB has recently seen an influx of 30,000 Kachin refugees. The Gospel remains unbound

by any conflicts, though. "Despite the suffering, despite the opposition, despite the persecution

and the genocide, the Gospel continues to go forward. And it's going forward with power."

Keep praying for Burma.

* Pray for the Gospel to take hold in Burma.

* Pray for peace agreements to be genuine.

(FULL STORY:
https://www.mnnonline.org/article/16695)

___________________________________________________________________

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