North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula
North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula need our prayer now perhaps more than at any other time. God could do more than we imagine or expect if Christians across the world begin praying specifically for the areas of unrest to be healed and restored by His Holy Spirit. The Wall of Communism collapsed because people were praying. In the Arabian Peninsula increased spiritual awareness was noticed as a result of the prayer movement of the 90’s known as Praying through the Window. Today we see the chains of Islam binding over a billion people in a political and religious system denying people the chance to hear the gospel of hope for a lost world. This can be changed through prayer. Pray: for many Christians to hear God’s call during Lent to pray in faith for those who do not believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus. (Hab.2:14)
Iran: Crimes against the Islamic order
Last week five members of the Church of Iran were sentenced to one year’s imprisonment for ‘Crimes against the Islamic Order’. They have 20 days to appeal. The five have spent eight months in Shiraz prison for apostasy, political meetings, blasphemy and crimes against the Islamic Order. Four charges were dropped and they were released on bail last month. Most of the group have been in cycles of 'detention and release' by the authorities for a number of years and some have suffered severe levels of torture during previous detentions. In the period between his arrest and late November Pastor Sadegh-Khanjani was held in solitary confinement, given access to his attorney only once and is unwell due to unhygienic conditions and beatings. Pastor Sadegh-Khanjani from Tehran was arrested three times in four years for his faith. Pray: God’s presence will surround Iran’s persecuted Christians and that He would influence decisions made concerning their future. (Ps.140:12) More: http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=press&id=1126&search=
Bahrain: Troops attack protesters
Military troops from Saudi Arabia, police from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain security forces used tear gas, armoured vehicles and helicopters to drive out anti-government protesters from a square in Bahrain's capital. Protesters fled to side streets and four people were reported killed. Bahrain declared a three-month state of emergency handing wide powers to the armed forces to quell demonstrations by Shiite protesters. Bahrain's stock exchange closed and there is no indication when it will reopen for trading. The presence of troops heightened fears of a sectarian conflict. Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran have made veiled accusations that the other was stirring violence in Bahrain. Bahrain’s ambassador temporarily withdrew from Tehran after Iran described foreign troops as an ‘occupation.’ The heightened violence weakens hopes for a ‘national dialogue’ to resolve the situation that was announced by the government weeks ago. Pray: there will be no brutal attacks on unarmed civilians but rather the international community would protect Bahraini people. (Ps.9:16) More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703899704576203901460405400.html
Japan: A Christian response
On March 14th four ‘Christian Relief, Assistance, Support, and Hope’ teams (CRASH) travelled to set up six relief team base camps in the earthquake zone. CRASH works with leaders in each area to ensure the relief camps are safe places through which volunteer teams can operate effectively distributing fresh fruit, butane stoves, diapers, baby milk, etc. Missionary Phillip Foxwell recently returned from working in Takayama where he grew up and spoke of the disaster, ‘All I can say is there is devastation beyond anything I've ever even imagined. Absolutely every single building is wiped out. The situation is so much worse than the news broadcasts. It’s like a warzone and I can’t wrap my head around it.’ CRASH teams in the area who are talking with people and praying for and with them said, ‘We pray for them and by blessing them we’ve been blessed more than we can imagine.’ Pray: for CRASH Japan volunteers and other Christian agencies as they identify pressing needs and mobilize teams in each area. (Ps.112:4) More: http://crashjapan.com/
