India: Violence against Christians rises
Incidents of violence against Christians in Karnataka state have spiked since June, including hospitalisation of Sannamma a 50 year old Christian school helper who was attacked by about 40 extremists when she visited a village to invite students back to school. Hindu nationalists stopped her and demanded she give money for a Hindu festival. She agreed to give money later, as she did not carry any cash. They called her ‘pagan,’ accused her of forceful conversion, punched and kicked her then dragged her to a Hindu temple to attempt to forcefully convert her back to Hinduism by pouring water on her (as a symbol of religious cleansing from Christianity) and applying a red dot on her forehead to symbolise Hindu reconversion. They then forced Sannamma to sign a paper stating that she and her husband, Shidda Naik, (he was not with her at the time of the attack) would not spread word of Christianity.
Pray: God’s protection and provision for all of India’s Christian residents who bravely share their faith amid hostile communities. Pray for a harvest of Christian believers to grow in the dark places. (Lk.10:2)
Japan: 'Don't give up on Japan'
Earlier this year post-disaster Tokyo pastor Jonathan Wilson urged ‘outward-looking’ missions to reach Japanese for Christ. Christian leaders call Japan ‘a hard soil to plant the Gospel.’ We can pray for Japan to become good soil that will eagerly receive the Good News of Jesus Christ (Mat.13:23). The Japanese continue to see Christianity as a Western religion. We can pray for the Church in Japan to add more Japanese culture and hymns to its worship services (Ps.117:1-2). This week Japan's prime minister appealed to the international community to help fix the on-going crisis at its damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. We can pray for the Christian Believers who are still engaged in relief efforts and ministry more than two years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident. (1 Cor.15:58) The following link will lead you to some of the many Churches ministering in Japan’s hard spiritual ground:- http://across.co.nz/churches.Japan.html and http://win1040.com/page.php?id=558 will aid informed intercession.
Pray: for God to pour out his anointing for evangelism on Christians working in Japan. Pray also for agencies to know God’s strategies on how to reach the nation. (Pr.24:3-4)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/10359894/Japan-asks-international-community-to-helpsolve-Fukushima-crisis.html
Syria: The new road to Damascus
In the midst of this crisis persecuted Christians in Syria and neighbouring countries are boldly reaching out to refugees. And the reactions of Muslims have been astonishing. ‘When you hear about one Muslim coming to Christ it’s a great thing and everybody rejoices.’ said a Voice Of the Martyrs Syrian contact. ‘Today in Syria I’m not talking about one person. We’re talking about hundreds and even thousands of Muslims coming to know Christ.’ Teams of believers are working in the refugee camps providing Christ’s love while sharing material aid, medical supplies and Bibles. Christians who are widely considered ‘infidels’ in Syria are now often and affectionately referred to as ‘the Bible People.’ ‘This war is like a knife in the heart of the church. No human can stand that suffering. Nevertheless, there is God’s presence. I can see Christ in the midst of darkness. God is doing miracles - even if he allows us to die, it will be an honour for us to die for his name.’
Pray: for continued spiritual and material aid to those facing the horrific effects of war. Pray for an increase of favour over those who bravely use every opportunity to advance the kingdom of God. (Pr.22:1)
USA: Human cost of shutdown
800,000 government employees are out of work without pay, while those still working do not know when they will be paid.Some agencies are critical to the needs of people across America such as the military, food programmes and medical services. Wendy Dwyer speaking for the working homeless shelters said that if shelters have to shut meals wouldn’t be served and children would not have the same day-to-day contact that gives them stability. Meanwhile the debate over the debt ceiling is evolving as the House threatens to refuse to let the US borrow any more money. If the debt-ceiling is not raised the country enters default territory and that could impact the world.
Pray: for the President and leaders in America - for God to direct them through grace filled negotiations. (2Ch.7:14)
Pray also for those who are at risk of financial, physical and emotional suffering through no fault of their own. Pray for God to heal the land. (Is.61:8)
