Sudan: God bless the newest country
A South Sudanese resident said, ‘The results of the referendum mean I am free today. Now I am a first class citizen in my own country.’ President Obama said, ‘I am pleased to announce the intention of the United States to formally recognize Southern Sudan as a sovereign independent state in July 2011.’ The brothers and sisters in Christ of the mainly Christians in the former South Sudan can pray, that God will sustain and provide for the people of the world's newest country facing challenges such as a new currency being established, diplomatic missions needing to be opened, and even choosing the new country’s name. Also critical negotiations are due with the north to decide on citizenship rights, oil rights and even the final border demarcation. But for the many Christians these are small problems to deal with after the mass killings and cruelty that so many of them have endured.
Pray: for God’s guidance and protection through the coming months of decisions, negotiations and avenues of change. (Pr.2:10-12)
More: http://ww .breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8646
Iraq: More car bombs
Three car bombs exploded in quick succession killing at least six people and wounded 75 in Iraq’s oil-rich northern city of Kirkuk on Wednesday. Explosions were aimed at police and Kurdish security forces in the latest of a series of attacks by insurgents as U.S. troops prepare to withdraw by the end of this year. The area is on high alert. Kirkuk is a disputed city even though Iraq’s violence has declined since 2006-07. Kirkuk sits on rich oil reserves and is one of the disputed territories at the centre of tensions between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraq’s central government; bombings still occur daily by Sunni insurgents and Shiite militia. Iraq has been experiencing an exodus of Christians following attacks. A Kirkuk resident said, ‘How long will this unstable situation last. We call on the state to take tough security measures against such incidents happening again.The victims are poor people.’
Pray: for God’s protection over His people, and for wisdom, and perseverance for the security forces supporting US troop’s withdrawal. (Ps.9:16)
More: http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2011/02/09/17206356.html
Eritrea: Church raids
Two Christians are reported to have died in separate Eritrean prisons after being refused medical treatment amid a renewed crackdown by the authorities against unregistered churches. One of the martyrs was a 27-year-old woman arrested for reading a Bible in her bedroom. A new wave of raids has seen over 100 Christians detained. Forty one people from Asmara were jailed and are said to have endured beatings. The following day, 27 believers from various underground churches near Asmara were rounded up by the security forces. In January thirty five Christians including fifteen women and two elderly men in poor health were seized from a house church gathering in Nakfa. This onslaught on Eritrean Christians began around the time of the Tunisian uprising. Observers believe current disorder in North Africa and the Middle East may prompt President Isaias to tighten his grip on power leading to an even more severe persecution of unregistered Protestant Christian groups
Pray: the thousands imprisoned without trial would know Gods presence, and the Northern unrest would not exacerbate Eritrean Christian’s conditions. (Ps.20:1)
India: Christians killed for reading Bible
A local missionary reported, ‘Suspected Islamic militants killed two Christian teenagers on January 31st because they were reading the Bible in the disputed Kashmir valley. The area lies between India and Muslim Pakistan.’ It is believed the girls were shot by three fighters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan based Islamic militant ‘terrorist’ group. Their Bible reading was part of an underground house church ministry, one of many projects of mission group Salem Voice Ministries (SVM), which supports evangelism and aid among Muslims and Hindus in India, including underground house churches in Muslim-majority Kashmir. Lashkar-e-Taiba, or the 'Army of the Righteous' seeks to introduce an Islamic state in South Asia and to ‘liberate’ Muslims in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India identified the group as masterminds behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people. Since the killings local believers are in total fear but they will continue preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pray: for a powerful anointing of all that is needed to fulfil Gods purposes for their work in the area. (Dt.31:12)
