North Korea executes underground church leaders
North Korea has executed three leaders of the underground church and jailed 20 other Christians, reports a news agency focused on Asia.Although the execution and imprisonment happened in mid-May, news only got out this month. According to AsiaNews, North Korean police raided a house in Kuwal-dong in Pyungsung county, Pyongan province, and arrested all 23 believers who were gathered there for religious activity. The leaders were sentenced to death and soon after executed. The other 20 were reportedly sent to the infamous prison labour camp No 15 in Yodok. The 23 Christians had come to faith after some of them travelled to China on business and met with church members there. North Korea Intellectual Solidarity, a group of North Korean defectors based in Seoul that seeks to raise awareness about injustice in North Korea, confirmed the events. Pray: for the estimated 400,000 Christians in North Korea who live under the constant threat of imprisonment, torture or public execution if authorities discover their Christian faith. may they have opportunities to meet together and provide encouragement to one another. (PS.62:2) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/north.korea.executes.underground.church.leaders/26540.htm
China: Pastor asks for help
Since May 2008 Pastor Wang Dao of Liangren Church in Guangzhou has had to move his house church several dozens of times and has even had to worship outdoors on two Sundays. After a brief detention by people from the Ministry of State Security he contacted ChinaAid for assistance in issuing an urgent call for prayer. After translating the document, ChinaAid released the letter to Chinese media on August 17 ChinaAid are urging Guangzhou authorities to cease their persecution of Liangren Church and to respect the rights of the citizens to freedom of belief and worship, by allowing them to meet regularly in their own church space. They are urging the international community to prayerfully support Pastor Wang Dao and believe that raising awareness of this and similar cases of persecution and harassment is vital to changing the outcome for the persecuted faithful. Pray: that this promotion and exposure of truth will grow and make a difference where the church is persecuted. (Is.61:7)
Israel: Direct peace talks every two weeks
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed direct peace talks every two weeks between himself and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas as ‘The only way to solve problems in the Middle East.’ The Palestinians intend boycotting the meetings if Israel fails to renew the freeze on settlements in the West Bank. The EU condemns Tel Aviv for jailing pro human rights activist Abdullah Abu Rahmeh for protesting against the West Bank wall. The proposal, drawn up by the premier and his men Wednesday night, will be submitted September 2, when peace talks begin in Washington. ‘In the Middle East, serious negotiations require direct discreet and consistent encounters, among the leaders on major issues’. The International Court of Justice declared the construction, begun in 2002, illegal in 2004. Israel has always maintained that the 'security barrier' is to prevent suicide attacks from taking place. Pray: for ongoing consistent communication that would enable each person to see things with different eyes. (Mal.4:2) More: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Netanyahu-proposes-direct-peace-talks-every-two-weeks-19293.html
Zimbabwe: Sunday 26th Sept united prayer
We have been receiving very exciting reports of how all the major denominations in Zimbabwe under the covering of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Council of Christian Churches and the Catholic Bishops Conference have expressed willingness to come on board and gather to pray on Sunday 26 September 2010. It is hoped that churches will march through their towns and cities and gather at a central point in their locations to pray as one. What an incredibly powerful time that will be! The Civic Centre ground is the planned venue in Harare where it is hoped that hundreds of thousands of people will gather to pray. Let's support these gatherings in Zimbabwe by calling together as many people as we can in our home towns across the world on Sunday 26 September 2010. Pray: for continued unity amongst the churches in Zimbabwe; that they would be an effective instrument for peace, stability and prosperity.(2Ch.7:14) More: http://www.lovezim.org/
