Praying for the Philippines' Typhoon Recovery
Thanks for your prayers for the people of the Philippines those whose lives were so deeply affected by the recent powerful storm there.
Here is a helpful video prayer resource provided by World Vision to guide your prayers for their relief and recovery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_3PEeCT6qs
Pakistan: Refugees from blasphemy laws
Pakistan's notorious blasphemy laws have led to a mass migration of Christians out of Pakistan's Punjab province after mobs attacked their lives and property in Gojra, Korian and Bahimnwali villages. Nazir Bhatti, the president of the Pakistan Christian Congress expressed concerns about delays in processing hundreds of Pakistani Christian refugees in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong who have been waiting years for decisions on their asylum applications while living under deplorable conditions. ‘Christian families are starving as they await their fate while international relief agencies refuse to get involved on their behalf’. Bhatti also claimed there’s a double standard in the West’s treatment of Pakistan's Christians. When Malala Yousafzai was targeted by the Taliban, her case was heard by Buckingham Palace. When Christian girls are targeted by the same Taliban in its attack on Peshawar Church, no medical treatment was offered them in the EU.
Pray: for refugees to be treated justly in Pakistan and in the countries they have been forced to flee to. Pray against religious persecution.(Ps.31:1)
More: http://www.christianpersecution.info/index.php?view=12661
Egypt: Terrorisation of Egyptian Christians Intensifies
There is a perception that Christians can be attacked with impunity. ‘If you hurt a Christian no one is going to do anything to you. No one is ever brought to justice in sectarian violence against Christians.’ said Mina Thabet, the founding member of a youth movement. Three months after the Army liberated Delga from militant Islamists; criminals are now terrorizing Christians in other towns and charging Jizya (a Koranic fine on non-Muslims known as ‘submission’ or ‘humiliation’ tax). They have set up a cottage industry persecuting Christians for profit. Extortionists use the threat of kidnapping, torture and murder to seize money, land and other property from Christians throughout Minya and Assiut governorates. Kidnap victims are tortured so severely that when they return to their families they are completely broken, unable to talk about their ordeals, much less report the crimes to police.
Pray: against the concept that persecuting Christians is ‘a religious duty.’ Pray for renewed initiatives by police and an improvement to the justice system. (Ps.59:1)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=12873
America: Kerry delivers video on Iran deal to CongressUS
Secretary of State John Kerry delivered a video message to Congress in an attempt to stop the body from collapsing last weekend's nuclear deal with Iran. He urged them not to introduce new economic measures against Iran as the US and fellow world powers withdraw some sanctions in exchange for Iran curtailing their nuclear programme. Kerry was reaching out to key senators but Democrats and Republicans appeared determined to increase the pressure on Tehran with senators already working on legislation to reinstate the full force of sanctions and impose new ones if Iran doesn't make good on its pledge to roll back its nuclear programme. ‘The American people need an insurance policy to prevent a rerun of North Korea,’ said one of the Republican Senators drafting the bill. Meanwhile Israel sees any let-up on the economic pressure as a dangerous concession, allowing Iran to move even closer to nuclear weapons capability.
Pray: for American lawmakers and policymakers to be graced with God's wisdom as they consider the impact of present agreements, information they already have and any fresh proposals.
