Sudan: Christians detained; Violence kills 60
Dozens of Sudanese Christians were thought to be trapped in a Sudanese prison Saturday, February 23, as violence raged in renewed fighting between two Arab tribes, killing scores of people. At least 55 Christians were detained by the government of Sudan over two weeks ago on ‘false accusations’ of allegedly receiving money from foreign countries, including Israel, according to Christians with close knowledge of the case. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said the group, which has no political affiliations and includes church leaders, was jailed as part of a wider crackdown on Christians in the volatile Islamic country. ‘CSW is deeply concerned at these arbitrary arrests and the wider news of an escalating crackdown on Christian citizens in Sudan’ said CSW’s Advocacy Director. ‘We urge the Sudanese government to release these prisoners and end its campaign of harassment against the Christian community.’ Also on Saturday 60 people died in fighting over mining rights in northern Darfur.
Pray: for detained believers and other Christians forced to flee areas of Sudan because of clashes and Islamic pressure by the government. (2Pe.1:2)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/26685-sudan-detains-dozens-of-christians-violence-kills-60
India: Attack on revival meeting sends Christians underground
As police looked on, militants attacked a church in central India on the second day of a revival meeting earlier this month at the Indian Christian Assembly of God Church in Rajnandgaon, causing severe injuries to some members and sending the pastor into hiding. The revival meeting included a graduation ceremony of 14 students who attended a short Bible training programme. About 300 Christians had gathered to witness the ceremony and attend the revival meeting. Attendees came from the neighbouring states of Maharashtra, West Bengal, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh. ‘Everything went well on the first day of the meeting until the afternoon of the second day,’ a witness told World Watch Monitor. The witness asked not to be named in order to avoid possible retribution from the attacker.
Pray: against the increasing violence against Christians in many parts of India may God arise and his enemies be scattered. (Ps.10:12)
Egypt: Destroying tunnels and uniting Christians
A Cairo court has ruled the government must destroy all tunnels between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, a route for smuggled weapons and a lifeline for Palestinians. Egypt's ruling Muslim Brotherhood has close ties with the Hamas movement that runs Gaza. Many Egyptians fear the enclave is a security risk for Egypt. The national security adviser said Egypt will not tolerate the two-way flow of smuggled arms through the tunnels that is destabilising its Sinai peninsula. Also this week for the first time since the dawn of Catholic and Protestant missions in the 17th and 18th centuries Egypt’s Christians formally stand united as the heads of the five largest denominations - Coptic Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Greek Orthodox, and Anglican - created Egypt's first Council of Churches. In recent decades, tension has dominated ecumenical relations with theological disputes, and accusations against minority denominations as sheep stealers. See: http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2013/02/egypts-five-largest-denominations-unite-for-first-time-egyptian-council-of-churches.html
Pray: for the light of Christ to shine on and be in every decision made by Egypt’s leaders at this time of transition. (1Tim.2:2)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/02/201322619219970812.html
50-Hour Prayer Vigil for Marriage
We are in the midst of a fierce battle for marriage. The Supreme Court will be hearing testimony next week on March 26 and 27 concerning whether the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8 in California (overturning homosexual marriage) should stand. The Court will render a decision probably in late June. There is MUCH political pressure on the Court to capitulate on these and cave in to the homosexual agenda. Even the president is pushing this.
Men and women, this is our generation’s Roe v. Wade fight! We must make a stand upon our knees for marriage.
From 7:00 PM, Monday, March 25, through 9:00 PM, Wednesday, March 27, intercessors around the nation from countless ministries will intercede as arguments are being heard at our Supreme Court.
Be encouraged by a word from a key leader in this initiative:
Since we have been obedient to pursue this course of action, to build a FIREWALL OF PRAYER around the Supreme Court during those two key hearings next week (DOMA/Proposition 8), the Lord has shown me a “new thing” that is on His heart! He has shown me that, while in days past, many of us have labored faithfully and fervently, fasting and praying and offering deep travail over issues that will impact us all, we were actually fighting inside our own fox holes!
On national issues like the Election last November and the Supreme Court hearings on “Obamacare” last spring, we each marshaled our own forces, pouring our hearts out to the Lord for help. We all know the rest of the story…could our Lord be ready to reveal a new strategy for a new season, and could the battleground at the Supreme Court be the launching pad to release this hidden work across the nation?
YES—today is a NEW DAY!
We now realize that, as ministry teams, we can no longer afford to fight these national battles “alone”, but that, instead, the LORD is requiring us to come up on the wall together in perfect alignment and in perfect unity as we face the forces that would seek to undermine our people and our nation. As we stand TOGETHER, we form a “seamless garment” before Him, and the enemy will find no breaches in the wall through which to attack!
We are now aligned in:
• His Will
• His Word: “What GOD hath put together, let no man rend asunder.”
• His Way
• His Love
We praise our God for the revelation of this winning strategy as we work together to find our won place on the wall and to defer to the others in their own positions, even honoring others as better than ourselves.
To GOD be the GLORY, for He is teaching all of us how to walk (or march) in this season, in His way!
(From an article Intercessors for America sent by Dave Butts, Chair of America’s National Prayer Committee)
