INSIGHT ARTICLE: Kenya: Referendum repercussions
Further to last week's INSIGHT ARTICLE we give thanks to God that apart from a few incidents in the Rift Valley the Referendum vote last week was peaceful with no inter-tribal violence. Although 70% of those who voted were in favour of the Constitution only about 30% of the total electorate voted ‘yes’. It is probable that many didn’t read the document and voted as their leaders told them to. The National Council of Churches of Kenya said the ‘yes’ vote did not nullify their concerns and Canon Peter Karanja, doubted the integrity of the vote saying, ‘We are saddened by the fact that the pre-referendum process was marked by malpractices and irregularities which continued right into balloting and tallying phases. This calls into question the validity of the process and its outcome.’ A summary of Kenyan Christians' prayer requests for their country are in this weeks Insight Article click the info button. Pray: that Kenya would be a symbol of hope in Africa and post-colonial violence will not become a stronghold over the nation. (Ps.22:28-31) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/HowtoprayforKenya2.pdf
Israel: Children’s rehabilitation Centre destroyed
Almost 400 rocket attacks were launched from Gaza to Israel since the 2009 cease-fire; the most recent one completely destroyed a rehabilitation centre for children with special needs in Sderot last Saturday. On any other day the unit would have been packed with children and therapists, resulting in devastating losses. The centre provides therapy and workshops for special needs children living in the entire country. Because there were no casualties the assault received little media cover and vulnerable children with special needs have lost facilities providing appropriate care. This attack followed an Iranian Grad missile hitting the city of Ashkelon Friday morning. Hamas-controlled Gaza has targeted Ashkelon (population of 125,000) since March 2008. Israeli Intelligence confirm Hamas has now assembled over 5,000 missiles with a range of 40-25 miles. Pray: for the families struggling to cope with unimaginable fear and hopelessness in this volatile neighbourhood to see peace overtake war, and provision for the weak and vulnerable. (Is.2:3-5) More: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/138879
Pakistan: Provisions, politics and protection
Over a million refugees fled east with very little and now that region is flooded and they are further displaced, have lost what little they had. Pray for those in mourning; families who lost homes, livestock, crops, and livelihood. Corruption in the government continues as neighbouring countries attempt to influence the government and insurgents try to destabilize the government through violence. In addition, there is talk underground of negotiations between Government/insurgents towards insurgents taking government roles. (Minority ethnic groups are afraid this could lead to a return to their oppression.) Pray for western powers and neighbouring countries to use great wisdom in dealing with the government. Finally, the insurgents use suicide bombers and roadside bombs to defeat the coalition and destabilize the government This violence brings death, destruction and fear to the people. The link below takes you to a report telling how floods give insurgents time to regroup. Pray: that God would hear the great cry of agony going up from Pakistan and reveal His son, and His way forward with supernatural interventions as well as international aid relief. (Hab.3:14)
Africa/Asia/Europe: Floods and mudslides on three continents
Sometimes areas hit by one extreme soon receive another blow. In Niger five thousand people lost their homes and crops when the River Niger burst its banks last weekend. They are already suffering from severe food shortages caused by recent drought. UN officials have warned 20,000 people are at risk of displacement in the event of further heavy rains. See In China rescuers are pulling bodies out of mudslides which has so far killed more than 1,100 people and that number is increasing daily as more bodies are carried out on stretchers. People have been assigned to disinfect the areas where human corpses, and dead animals are a concern. See: Southern Poland suffered its worst flooding in decades when heavy rains engorged rivers sending torrents of water through Bogatynia in south-west Poland and Görlitz in eastern Germany in May. Pray: for God to look down from heaven and see and hear: and send labourers to minister to physical and spiritual needs so that many are found by the Lord. (Ps.80:19) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/09/floods-mudslides-drought-extreme-weather
