Pakistan: 40 days of prayer & fasting
The Intercessors Network of Pakistan has arranged a 40 Day Prayer and Fasting Campaign from 1st August to 9th September 2010. The cry of Islamabad and Rawalpindi will be ‘Heal the Land’. Hundreds of believers from 70+ churches will be participating daily to pray for the healing of the land. Eleven churches from other cities will also be participating. The ‘National Day of Prayer’ will also be celebrated on 14th August. Prayer needs: Unity among Christians/church leaders and denominations: Abolition/repeal of the blasphemy laws: Christian brothers and sister in prison facing trails falsely accused under this law: Safety and security of Christians living under threat of being persecuted under this law. For sustainability of 24/7 and other prayer watches that are going on and that the Pakistani church will understand the power of corperate prayers and move into a culture of prayer. Pray: for a spiritual awakening of the Church on a national level so that the Gospel can spread across the country. (1Thes.5:10,11,17) More: http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Prayer-Network-Pakistan/251652868252
Iran: Report of US warships off coast
As unconfirmed reports continue to emerge of an imminent Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in Middle East media. A US-based strategic intelligence company released charts showing US naval carriers near Iranian waters. The chart dated June 23rd 2010 shows that over the last few weeks naval carrier the USS Harry S Truman has been positioned in the north Indian Ocean, not far from the Strait of Hormuz. (which leads into the Persian Gulf). The carrier joins USS Dwight D Eisenhower already in the area. Reports of movements of Israeli and US naval warships have been circulating through the media for weeks. (See Prayer Alert 2610) Ha'aretz reported 12 US and Israeli warships were seen moving through the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. On Saturday Associated Press published ‘unconfirmed’ reports from Israeli and Iranian media that Saudi Arabia allowed Israel to use its territory in preparation for an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Pray: for a cooling down of this situation, for any erroneous reports to be exposed for what they are, while at the same time for all truth to be revealed and acted upon. (Pr.21:29-31) More: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article25829.htm
Vietnam: House Church attacks
A gang of youths attacked a house church as the congregation worshipped on Vietnam’s south central coast. The youths smashed the walls of the home and wreaked havoc within, railing against evangelist Mang Vuong for being a Christian and building his home to be a house church. In Vietnam a common approach for church expansion is to build a roomy home for an evangelist to serve also as a meeting place. The evangelist’s house was nearly completed when it was first attacked last month, then on June 10th the same youths were spurred by local authorities to break into Vuong’s home stealing more than $3,000 and destroying furnishings, utensils and books. Vuong, who works for the Evangelical Church of Vietnam, has recieved death threats. A petition sent to district and provincial officials stated it was Communist Party leaders who plied the youths with liquor then incited them to attack the evangelist’s house. Pray: for the Christian community to respond with Christ-like love and forgiveness. (1Pe.3:9) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/vietnam/23120/
North Iraq-Kurdistan
Praise God for Christian outreach in difficult environments. God is calling people supernaturally and releasing Christian workers to visit, counsel, encourage and disciple new believers. We have been asked to pray into the problem of finding suitable wives for new believers. There are situations where husbands come through but the wife is not yet believing. Thank God for open doors to minority sects of Islam, one is the Yezhide, who worship the ‘peacock god’ believed to be a fallen angel. Pray for Christian outreach groups to be established in their midst. Another Islamic sect believe in the Psalms and there is speculation they were formerly Jews. They are very open and there are believers in their midst, but they are very persecuted by majority Muslims. Hundreds of this tribe have been murdered by terrorists and there are many orphans and widows. Pray: for more believers with a burden to help these new believers, and for the protection of those who face persecution and loss in Iraq and Kurdistan. (Ps.112:4)
