Lebanon: Church ministry to refugees
Zahle is full of refugees from Syria arriving daily. Every spare building, shed and patch of ground is being rented by families at crippling prices. Even those leaving Syria with money can afford almost nothing in Lebanon where prices have rocketed because more people are competing for the same lands. Many essentials are out of reach for desperate refugees. A small church with 50 members greets the refugees flooding into Zahle. They distribute what food, blankets and mattresses they can collect for the families. They arrange for a doctor to visit the sick; they pray with those who want prayer. Then they visit more families, find more clothes, more mattresses. Recently a crowd of desperate, newly arrived refugees gathered outside the church demanding food, mattresses and cooking materials. The church team were 'five minutes from calling the police' It is not easy. See also: http://danutm.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/world-watch-monitor-a-refugees-camp-just-for-syrian-christians-in-turkey-4/
Pray: that the input by local churches will make the refugees spiritually rich, despite having 'lost' everything. (Ps.22:26-28)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/life.among.syrias.christian.refugees/32284.htm
South Africa: May 19th Day of Prayer
A National Day of Prayer has been called by a group of Pretoria Churches standing in unity for God’s blessings for their nation. May we as part of God’s global body support their call. In Pretoria there are SA Christian Leaders Indaba, SA Council of Churches, The Evangelical Alliance of SA, Africa Enterprise, Turn2God and Kairos Ministries. In Cape Town there is Cape Town Transformation, CCFm, Global Day of Prayer, Jericho Walls, Christian Chamber of Commerce, Prayer Mushroom Ministry all standing in unity along with Friends From Abroad. This is the unity that God wants to see in His Body across the nations. South African brothers and sisters will be praying for Unity among Christians, for Education, for the Government and progress to a righteous society, an end of violence against women and children, for revival in their country and the world. For restoration of the Body of Christ, for families and the nations.
Pray: that there will be a great response to this call, as the South African churches recommit to pray together for revival and righteousness in the land. (Ps.51:10-13)
More: http://www.globalprn.com/south-africa-national-day-of-prayer/
Pakistan/ Malaysia/ Philippines: Election controversy
In Pakistan energy shortages, inflation and insecurity are concen trating the minds of a generation about to vote for the first time on Saturday. Election-watchers regard young people as critical swing voters. Those aged between 18 and 29 make up 46% of the population, and many of them are eligible to vote for the first time.See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/08/pakistan-elections-imran-khan In the Philippines the husband of a town mayor was killed and a bomb attack injured four people in separate incidents of violence linked to mid-term elections next week. See: http://main.omanobserver.om/node/163407 Final results in Malaysia’s election show the ex-deputy prime minister's three-party Pakatan Rakyat coalition won just 89 of 222 parliament seats, despite capturing the popular vote during Sunday's polls. The ex-deputy prime minister is vowing to stay in his post and lead a campaign challenging the results of a controversial defeat.
Pray: against all in positions of authority across the nations who conspire and plot their own selfish ambitions. (Ps.2:4-5)
More: http://www.voanews.com/content/malaysias-anwar-vows-to-challenge-election-results/1656668.html
Russia/ U.S.: Seek to convene Syria peace conference
Russia and the United States agreed on Tuesday to try to bring together Syria's warring parties at an international conference, possibly by the end of this month, in an attempt to negotiate an end to their civil war Russia - a staunch ally of Assad – has blocked sanctions against Syria at the United Nations and has supplied Syria with arms. Both Russia and the United States have made clear that peace efforts have been stepped up because of growing concern that the violence could spread beyond Syria. Israel carried out two air strikes against Syria recently. On April 25th the White House said US intelligence agencies believe Syria may well have used chemical weapons against its own people, a view which if confirmed would mark a further escalation in the conflict. Both the US and Russia are concerned that Syria may be dominated by Islamists - threatening Israel, Jordan and Lebanon.
Pray: for joint international peace talks. Pray against the region being further destabilised. (Ps.9:15-18)
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/07/us-syria-crisis-conference-idUSBRE94612S20130507
