Egypt: Alexandria clashes
At least one Christian died and dozens were injured in clashes between Muslims and Christians in Egypt's Mediterranean port city of Alexandria on May 17th. Christian resident Sherif Sedky died of a heart attack during clashes, though some observers claimed he died of injuries. Fighting reportedly erupted late Friday when a Coptic man allegedly sexually harassed a Muslim woman. Soon after residents were firing birdshot and throwing Molotov cocktails at one another. There were also reports that more heavy machine guns were used, but those allegations could not be confirmed independently. Coptic Christians who comprise 10% of Egypt's mainly Muslim population and have complained attacks have increased over the past two years following the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. The leader of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church recently criticized the country's Islamist president over his handling of recent deadly sectarian violence, giving Islamist militants a free hand.
Pray: for the Egyptian Christians to be a witness to their neighbours. Pray also for missionaries facing the growing threat of persecution to stand strong in their faith
More: http://www.christianpersecution.info/index.php?view=12281bombings-1-2938703
Middle East: Tension between ethnic groups
Ten years after the Iraqi invasion toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds have yet to find a stable power-sharing deal and there is escalating ethnic violence. Iraq’s Sunnis, who resent their treatment by Shiite Mr Maliki’s government, have staged mass protests since December. Sunni militants, some of them linked to al-Qaeda, have exploited the unrest urging Sunnis to take up arms. More than 700 people died violently in Iraq in April which according to the United Nations is the highest monthly figure in almost five years. The conflict in Syria where mostly Sunni rebels are fighting to topple president Bashar al-Assad is turning in part into a regional proxy war between Sunni and Shiite powers. Lebanon’s Iranian-backed Shiite Hezbollah group is now openly fighting alongside Mr al-Assad’s forces which are dominated by members of his minority Shiite-linked Alawite sect. The result of years of unrest in the region has produced millions of refugees, many of them Christian.
Pray: against religious and ethnic violence. Pray for better provision for orphans, widows and those suffering because of events outside their control. (Ja.1:26,27)
More: http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/politics/iraq-violence-grows-with-fresh-wave-of-car-
Global Outreach Day
Get Ready for the Harvest
How to evangelize?
On this day, millions of Christians will share the Gospel, many of them for the first time. No matter how experienced you already are, everyone can still learn and improve. Start to prepare your church, home group and yourself for this special day of outreach. It's not difficult…Everyone can learn how to speak to people and lead them to Jesus.
Everyone can reach someone.
Everyone has something to give.
Everyone can learn how to do it.
Here you will find three practical and comprehensible teachings that will help you:
“Everyone can reach someone!” Training booklet with practical instructions how to talk to people and lead someone to Jesus Christ. Download pdf (many languages) http://www.globaloutreachday.com/resources
What is our message? You are the messenger! Do you know the message?
http://www.globaloutreachday.com/resources
Principles of communication – You have the best message! Learn how people will listen to it!
http://www.globaloutreachday.com/resources
What are you doing on May 25th?
In the weeks before May 25th
- Pray for power and boldness to be a witness.
- Pray for open hearts and divine opportunities to talk to people about Jesus.
On May 25th: Reach out to at least one person with the Gospel.
There are unlimited possibilities for doing this.
One on One - Invite someone over for a cup of coffee and tell him about Jesus.
Two by Two – Meet in your church and split up into small teams. Then go two by two to reach the people where they are – on the streets, in the market places, in hospitals, etc.
Care and Share – Do something good for someone and then share the Good News with him.
You will find many more ideas about how to evangelize on a special page on our website.
http://www.globaloutreachday.com/getinvolved#node-232
Watch the video:
Pray for Pakistans Elections, Saturday, May 11
“Pakistan will hold parliamentary elections May 11 -- the first vote held after a democratically elected government completed its five-year constitutional term. This democratic consolidation comes as the country faces the worst crisis since the secession of East Pakistan in the form of a ferocious jihadist insurgency. The vote comes amid economic difficulties and a major wave of jihadist attacks designed to undermine the democratic process targeting both secular and Islamist politicians campaigning for office. It is also the first election in which the emergence of a third national force, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, is seen as highly likely…
To the extent that opinion polls can be relied upon, the election will produce a much more fragmented legislature than the outgoing one, but conservative right-wing nationalist forces will dominate the new legislature. Regardless of its composition, the next coalition government will be tackling two core issues: security and the economy. Its policies will be greatly influenced by the regional security environment being shaped by the drawdown of NATO troops from neighboring Afghanistan…
The 2013 parliamentary elections thus represent the first time that the country will undergo a democratic transition of power. This consolidation comes amid Pakistan's largest crisis in decades. In the nearly 12 years since the United States invaded neighboring Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 attacks, Islamabad has seen its writ being eroded by an insurgency waged by Pakistani Taliban rebels who, unlike their Afghan counterparts, subscribe to the transnational jihadism of al Qaeda.”
Please pray for this important nation of South Asia to be delivered from radical Islamists and for good and honest people to be elected into office and to govern with integrity and care.
