Global Alliance Expresses Concern for Syrian Crisis
Religious Liberty Partnership Releases Statement on Syria, Calls for International Day of Prayer
(April 2013) The Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance and other religious liberty organisations united under the Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP) have released a statement on the crisis in Syria asking the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria to pay particular attention to "vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities", and calling for a designated day of prayer for the country.
Called the 'Istanbul Statement on the Church in Syria', it expresses concern about the exodus of Christians and other ethnic and religious minorities from Syria and calls on the international community to" provide sufficient protection for all ethnic and religious communities as well as their historical, religious, and cultural sites."
"There is an urgent need to speak out about the situation facing Christians and other religious minorities in Syria." said Godfrey Yogarajah the Executive Director of the Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance, and member of the RLP Leadership Team. "We urge all Christians around the world to respond to this call to prayer and action in order to bring peace and stability to this troubled nation," he added.
According to the statement, drafted during the annual gathering of member organisations held in Istanbul in late March, the Religious Liberty Partnership commits "to raise awareness and work toward a peaceful solution of the current crisis, including reconciliation among the various ethnic and religious communities; and to utilize practices that prioritize the well-being of all Syrians when providing assistance and advocating on behalf of the vulnerable." The full Istanbul Statement is available here (http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1109200547735-21/RLP+Istanbul+Statement+on+Syria.pdf)
The Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP) is a collaborative effort of Christian organizations from over 20 countries focused on religious liberty. The RLP seeks to more intentionally work together in addressing advocacy, assistance, and in raising the awareness of religious liberty issues globally. Besides RLP Chairman, Mervyn Thomas, the RLP Leadership Team is made of: Godfrey Yogarajah of the World Evangelical Alliance; Ron Boyd-Macmillan, Open Doors International, Netherlands; Anne Brandner, Global Peace Initiative, Canada; Andy Dipper, Viva, UK; Daniel Hoffman of Middle East Concern; and Linus Pfister, HMK Switzerland. A listing of RLP members is on the Istanbul Statement.
For further information about the Religious Liberty Partnership or the Istanbul Statement, please visit: www.RLPartnership.org
Day of Prayer for Syria
Syrian church leaders have called for a day of prayer for their country and its people on Saturday 11th May. Primarily, they are calling for prayer for peace to be restored to their country, enabling all Syrians to live in harmony within their own country.
As violent conflict continues, there are no precise figures for the number of those killed (most estimates state 70,000 or more), injured, internally displaced within Syria or who have fled to neighbouring countries and beyond. It is generally reckoned that over one million have left and at least another million have been internally displaced, all from amongst a population of approximately 23 million. Atrocities have been committed by many parties.
During 2012 there was a subtle shift in how Syrian church leaders typically interpreted events. Claims of the deliberate targeting of Christians for religious reasons increased as the year progressed. Initially, most were careful to stress that there was little religious targeting. However, church leaders are increasingly fearful of the growing extremist elements within the opposition movement (e.g. Jabhat an-Nusra), and fearful that a Sunni take-over of power in Syria would lead to greater restrictions on Christians. Some fear that the Iraq scenario (involving increased levels of sectarian attack and corresponding flight of Christians) could be replicated in Syria. Church leaders have called on Christians not to leave, acknowledging that significant emigration had already occurred.
Fears within Christian communities have increased following the kidnapping of two priests (Michel Kayyal of the Armenian Catholic church and Mahar Mahfouz of the Greek Orthodox church) on 9th February and the subsequent kidnapping of two bishops (Yohanna Ibrahim of the Syriac Orthodox Church and Boulos Yaziji of the Greek Orthodox Church) on 22nd April.
Syrian Christians request that we join with them in prayer, asking that:
a. Violent conflict will end, and reconciliation processes will begin.
b. Those bereaved and traumatised will know the healing touch of Jesus.
c. Those displaced will know the provision and protection of the Father; and those supporting them will know the wisdom and enabling of the Spirit.
d. Those from all communities who have been kidnapped, including the two bishops and two priests kidnapped, will be released unharmed soon.
e. Unity amongst Christian communities will be strengthened and that Christians will know the Lord's equipping as they respond to the overwhelming needs around them.
f. All those choosing to use violent methods will know the Spirit's conviction of sin and respond to the Father's offer of forgiveness and new life in the Son.
Algeria
"We recently had a camp for about 25 young people. During one of the prayer meetings, the Lord Jesus’ presence by His Holy Spirit was keenly felt! Praise the Lord, we prayed in our Lord Jesus’ powerful Name for several people, and they were strongly delivered from the evil spirits of witchcraft and sorcery! Young people began to come forward to ask for prayer for commitment and consecration to follow and serve the Lord Jesus! It was a very moving and beautiful time in God’s presence.
Please pray:
1. For the young people to continue to grow and be disciples of our Lord Jesus for His glory.
2. For our nation - wide emphasis in the Churches, to reach out to the young people of Algeria and help make them Jesus’ disciples and servants in the coming months and years, amen!"
Excellent prayer material for Algeria:
www.30-days.net/muslims/muslims-in/north-african/algeria
During May a group of several hundred Algerian church leaders and workers will be meeting for training and encouragement. Please lift them up as they meet. Ask God for covering and protection. Ask God to fill them with vision and love for their nation. Pray for provision of all their needs. Ask God to guard unity and to give them unity of purpose. May God bring all His plans and purposes from this gathering.
Rocked by a Close Vote, Malaysia Faces Uncertain Path
The political coalition led by Prime Minister Najib Razak won a narrow victory in Sunday’s national election in Malaysia, but it now faces widespread accusations of electoral fraud. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says he will lead a “fierce” protest against Razak's party, a move that could turn Malaysia on its head and derail the economic progress achieved over the last half century.
From Lignet.com
Please continue to pray for Malaysia as it moves towards a more just and corruption-free society.
