IRAN—New Wave of Persecution
Window International Network (www.win1040.com) reports that since “December 26th, Iranian security forces stepped up their efforts to eliminate the ‘corrupting’ influence of Christianity by arresting 25 Christian Believers.” In January of 2011, estimates range as high as 60 arrests with many detained.
Elam Ministries (www.elam.com) report 70+ arrests. There have been reports of torture besides intense interrogation where they are blindfolded and questioned for hours and days. Psychological pressure is placed upon them so they would renounce their faith in Christ Jesus. No family members are allowed to visit during the interrogations.
Click Here for pictures of some of those arrested.
Please pray:
1. The Lord will be present with all Christians who have been arrested, questioned, detained, and tortured—that God would give them strength, comfort, the ability to love and forgive. May Christ be glorified in their sufferings.
2. Pray for swift end to the ordeal the prisoners go through.
3. For police officials that they lose the hatred for Christians and be moved by the Holy Spirit for themselves to be saved. Pray for the government to find favor with the Christians in their country.
4. That God’s power of protection and love for His Children be clearly demonstrated before the Iranian police to see what kind of God He is.
5. For God to reveal dreams and visions to those who govern, fear God, and persecute Christians.
Viva’s World Weekend of Prayer 2011
The World Weekend of Prayer is an international prayer event that will happen the first weekend in June (3rd, 4th, 5th) 2011, in Oxford, UK. The theme is “Together”. In past conferences, prayer booklets in 15 different languages including a child-friendly resource were published; it is hoped that these and other resources would be provided in 2011. Viva encourages child intercession for children at risk, adults signing commitments to pray for children, organizations starting regular prayer meetings for children at risk, and much more. (www.viva.org)
Please pray:
1. For Viva to acquire the financial and organizational help needed for this prayer event.
2. That participants will in turn carry what they have gleaned back to home towns/cities and that there be a noticeable impact for the sake of children at risk.
3. For God’s protection over this conference and over children at risk.
HAITI—One Year Later
Joel News reported that more than 230,000 died in the January 12th earthquake of 2010. The country is still being rebuilt. Many relief agencies and churches are still working to transform the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. www.joelnews.org
Please pray:
1. For well coordinated relief efforts.
2. For good working relationships with the government and the relief agencies.
3. For a spirit of cooperation, patience, and thankfulness among the displaced citizens.
4. For healing of those injured and for the grief of those who lost loved ones.
5. For boldness of Christian relief workers to share the gospel of Christ Jesus verbally besides their physical caring.
6. For weather conditions that will allow for continued clean-up progress.
NEPAL—Children at Risk Conference
The very first conference on “Children at Risk and the Christian’s Response” is being held from February 7-10, 2011. About 100 pastors and leaders are expected to attend with the following objectives:
1. To make visible the Christian response to children at risk.
2. To inspire church leaders for engaging with children at risk.
3. To develop effective networking and collaborations.
4. To bring Christians together for fellowship and prayer.
Please pray:
1. For the conference that the Lord would touch each individual’s heart to help the children at risk of that region.
2. Pray for the two leaders who are facilitating the conference as they will need and use skills of organizing, guiding conversation, directing, over seeing, observing, following up, funding, etc.
3. That the impact of this conference will have a far-reaching impact on the lives of many children at risk in Nepal.
4. Pray for spiritual protection over the conference.
5. Pray for a clear and united leading of the Holy Spirit in the directions Christians should go and for obedience to follow the calls.
