Syria: The continual danger of kidnappings
Kidnappings have become a common feature of the ongoing conflict in northern Syria, where fighting between government and rebel soldiers is still fierce. Aid workers and foreign journalists are at particular risk of abduction. On Monday seven members of the Red Cross were kidnapped by gunmen as they travelled in a four vehicle convoy delivering medical supplies and helping the people of Syria in an area largely under rebel control. The team had been in the field since 10 October assessing the medical situation and devising ways to provide medical aid in a difficult area to access. BBC’s Jim Muir in Beirut said, ‘Hardline Islamist rebels are known to operate in the area and Kidnappings of aid workers and journalists have become increasingly common in rebel held areas. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24513793 Recently the Press Gazette stated, ‘fear of kidnapping is stopping journalists from entering Syria’ The exact number of kidnap cases is unknown. Families and victims’ employers avoid publicity believing it will hamper negotiations with the kidnappers. See:
Pray: against the lucrative employment of Syrian fixers (negotiators) and activists making fortunes out of kidnapping and killing. (Ps.140:4-5)
Global: Child brides
en million girls a year are married before the age of 18 across the world. Child marriages are illegal in India and punishable with a large fine and two years in prison for anyone performing, conducting or failing to prevent a child marriage. The grandfather of a 6-year-old child bride said, ‘I hate the government for trying to stop us. This is the way we've always done things. The government bans this but we don't care and we do these weddings anyway.’ There are at least 50 million married child couples around the world and this will double by the end of the decade. The countries with the highest proportion of child brides are Niger, Chad, Mali, Bangladesh and India. 14 million aged between 15 and 19 give birth each year and are twice as likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth as women in their 20s.
Pray: against this practice that robs millions of girls of their childhood, their education, their rights and their dignity. Pray for the laws banning child marriage to be properly enforced and for protection of young vulnerable girls. (Ps.33:10-11)
Middle East: A work of reconciliation
‘Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.’ (Mat.5:23, 24) A young Israeli Messianic participant in a recent reconciliation initiative for young Israeli and Palestinian adults, writes in response to these verses, ‘The Lord showed us that it is very important for us to restore our relationship with our Palestinian brothers before we attempt to be reconciled with God.’ She adds, ‘We don’t always want to relate to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, feeling somehow disconnected from it, or powerless to do anything about it. Also we are in a more secure position (relative to the Palestinians) and so we tend to be apathetic and lack motivation to seek reconciliation with our Palestinian Brothers in Christ.’
Pray: for God to continue to bless and encourage those working for reconciliation and building relationships between Christians, Jews and others in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Ro.12:9-13 & Mat.7:4- 5)
More: http://www.musalaha.org/
European Parliament condemns violence against Christians
he European Parliament passed a resolution last week condemning violence and persecution against Christians in Syria, Pakistan and Iran. MEPs voiced particular concern over the attacks on Christians in Maaloula, Syria, and the suicide attack on All Saints Church, Peshawar, Pakistan, which killed at least 80 people. The MEPs called for ‘immediate support and humanitarian assistance’ to a group of around 40 nuns and orphans still trapped in the Convent of St Tekla. They also spoke of their ‘deep concern’ about the general situation of religious minorities in Pakistan and the Christian churches in particular. They urged the Pakistani authorities to overhaul the blasphemy laws and their current application ‘thoroughly’, noting that the laws were open to misuse against people of faith. Concerning Iran, they said the fate of imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini was also a matter of ‘deep concern’.
Pray: for God’s protection over His people. (Ps.5:11)
