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.
___________________________________________________________________
Lebanese believers make dangerous trek into Syria
Syria (MNN) -- Last weekend, Lebanese Christians risked their lives to deliver aid to believers trapped in Syria. Bill Bray with Christian Aid Mission explains, "A series of house meetings were held. Over 600 emergency relief packages were delivered from missionaries in Lebanon who crossed the border, and they brought in medicine and conducted these meetings." The trek to Syria is extremely dangerous. Borders are littered with mines and gunmen. But Syrian Christians are desperate for aid. "A young boy had a slight fever that continued to rise," Bray says. His family "couldn't afford medicine for him, and the resulting outcome was that this child is now paralyzed." As Christian Aid helps churches provide resources, churches are growing. During the weekend meetings, lots of new believers were baptized. Learn more at MissionNetworkNews.org, keyword "Mission Groups" -- Christian Aid Mission.
* Pray for resources to come into Christian Aid so more Christians can receive help.
* Pray for peace in Syria.
* Pray for the new believers as they learn more about Christ.
___________________________________________________________________
Sunday proves deadly in Nigeria
Nigeria (MNN) -- Sunday June 3 was a bloody day in Nigeria, and Nigerians are still reeling from the events. Carl Moeller with Open Doors USA explains, "Swallowed under the news of the plane crash was the news that there was another suicide bomber at a church in Northern Nigeria, in Bauchi. Apparently, at least 10 others were killed and 30 injured in that attack." Although Boko Haram didn't claim the attack, they didn't really need to. "The reality is: this is the kind of violence that they want to precipitate across the entire country. It's the kind of violence that president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathon, is facing spreading throughout the rest of the country." Last month, Christian leaders issued a stern warning that they would not take any more. But a violent response could further divide Nigeria at a crucial time. "I think there's a deep, spiritual hunger. When Christians are being persecuted and they continue to show love to those who are persecuting them, that is the most powerful witness: the truth of the good news of Jesus." Pray.
* Pray for wisdom and boldness for ministry leaders.
* Ask God to prepare lives for response in a tense time.
* Pray for community transformation.
___________________________________________________________________
Sahel food crisis worsens
Mali (MNN) -- The food crisis in the Sahel region is worsening. Conditions in Mali bear some resemblance to those in Somalia. Jeff Palmer with Baptist Global Response says, "The numbers are not quite as high as what we were seeing happening over Somalia. Our prayers would be that rains would start and we would not see those numbers, but indicators are that those numbers are going to come." 18 million people are suffering from food shortages topped by war and drought. BGR is responding, but time and again, trouble has gotten in the way. "We've actually had to delay some of the food dispersals because of security in the area. In the end, it's not the organization that suffers, it's the people who really need to get food for their families." Funds are tight. If you can help BGR, we've got some useful information at our Web site. Palmer says this is real "religion." "It does open up all kinds of doors. An act of kindness in the name of Christ, a cup of cold water, food given to the hungry: it's sort of like the Word of God never comes back void. That act, in the name of Christ, will never come back void, either."
* Pray for continued open doors for the Gospel.
* Pray for a peaceful transition in Mali.
* Ask God to provide the resources for this project.
___________________________________________________________________
Nepal's constitutional crisis deepens
Nepal (MNN) -- It's "Back to the Drawing Board" for Nepal after its Constituent Assembly failed to produce a constitution, and the clock has run out. Danny Punnose with Gospel For Asia explains, "The final deadline ended just recently, and so the present government is not ruling the government anymore. There will be a caretaker government managing things until November when elections will take place where they're going to re-elect everyone back into the government." The United Nations expressed concerns of violence sparked by instability. However, Punnose says, "The leaders of these countries want to see stability because it affects their own futures. I do feel that even if there is rioting and there is some political strife, I think it will be minor compared to how it used to be when there was a lock down of the entire country." GFA workers haven't slowed down at all. "We're paying attention and looking at what's going to be happening and still continuing to do ministry, still continuing to help the kids and the poor and meet the needs of the people." It could get risky. Can you pray about some of their needs? We have details at our Web site.
* Pray for cooperation among government leaders.
* Pray for a peaceful transition.
* Pray for wisdom and safety for ministry leaders and staff.
___________________________________________________________________
1 in 3 chance of Greece leaving Euro Zone
Greece (MNN) -- Greece faces more pain regardless of what choice they make in the coming days. An election on June 17 has a one-in-three chance of provoking an exit from the Euro Zone. Tasos Ioannidis with AMG International says, "If Greece left the Eurozone, it would have to go to a national currency that would immediately devalue. The best estimates are that the buying power of the new currency would be reduced immediately by 50%." Staying in means submitting to austerity measures. There's no easy way out for Greece. "They are in the fifth year of a recession. They have seen their salaries go down, unemployment is higher than 23% right now, so there is a lot of suffering." AMG ministry partners are doing what they can to ease the pain. "The churches are helping people who are in need in various ways. There is an effort underway to increase the aid that's provided, expecting that this fall will be the greatest need that we are going to see." There are lots of Gospel opportunities. Go to our Web site for ways to help.
* Pray for cooperation among government leaders.
* Pray for continued ministry vision.
___________________________________________________________________
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
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Network News is in need of your generous support as we continue to encourage Christians to get involved in outreach. How about giving $20 a month to help keep this internet and radio service going? Go to http://www.MNNonline.org/donate/ to give.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment