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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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)
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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
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