Syria : Protecting and listening to Christians
Extremist Islamist forces in Syria's opposition movement have attacked local Christians due to the belief that they back the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. According to a report by the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission the country's largest denomination, the Syrian Orthodox Church, recently highlighted an ongoing ethnic cleansing of Christians. The action was allegedly by members of an al-Qaida-linked militant Islamist group, Brigade Faruq, in the city of Homs, an opposition stronghold. Catholic news agency Fides has reported that over 90 percent of Christians in Homs have fled to Jordan and their homes have been grabbed by the militants. The report stated that Christians elsewhere in Syria are not safe either due to threats and incidents of targeted abductions, killings and bombings.
Pray: for the 10% Christian and the 80% Alawite and Muslim population to find and follow the path of peace and know God’s way forward for the region. (Is.30:21)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12040146.htm
Mali: ‘Counter coup' repelled
It has been just over a month since a group of soldiers toppled Mali's democratically elected president. After a counter-coup attempt Mali's ruling military leaders said yesterday in a message aired over state television that they are in control of the state broadcaster building, the airport and the military base in Kati near the capital Bamako. The television message said, ‘Elements from abroad, supported by some obscure forces within the country, carried out these attacks. Some of them have been arrested,’ A witness to the fighting saw a large convoy of military vehicles heading to the town of Kati just outside Bamako, where the junta has set up its headquarters. The US embassy in Bamako, through its Twitter account, reported shooting, but did not specify the groups involved. A former executive of Microsoft for Africa, was appointed along with former national assembly speaker, as the interim president, to lead the country ahead of elections later this year.
Pray: for the country to return completely to constitutional rule. (Ps.45:4)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/05/2012514022453752.html
Egypt: Call for prayer as elections loom
Release International has called for a month of prayer for Christians in nations caught up in the Arab Spring - especially in Egypt where persecution looks set to grow after the presidential elections and Christians brace themselves for increased persecution. Release reported, ‘This is a hugely significant time for Christians in the Middle East and North Africa as their countries undergo seismic shifts in their political structures. Hard-line Islamist groups are making significant inroads into the political process. While there are great opportunities for Christians to contribute to the development of their societies, they need our prayers for protection and wisdom like never before.’ Release has produced a prayer guide, focusing prayer throughout May on Egypt, Libya, Syria, Morocco, Yemen, Tunisia and Bahrain. See:
Pray: for the 100,000 Christians who have left Egypt since last year’s uprising. Pray that this exodus will stop. Pray that those who remain will have a fresh revelation of God as their rock and salvation (Ps.62:2).
Kenya: Grenade Attack on Church
On Sunday a grenade explosion killed 27-year-old university student Kelvin Walumba at God’s House of Miracles International Church in Nairobi. Sixteen people were also injured. Islamic extremists from al Shabaab rebels in Somalia have embarked on a series of attacks in Kenya after the Kenyan military invaded Somali territory last autumn in an attempt to quell al Shabaab violence at tourist destinations. Speculation that the attack stemmed from a land dispute were untrue, as the dispute with the church was resolved in court last year. Four church members are in a critical condition: Leonida Mbogo, Julia Mumbi, Ezekiel Muthini and Shalom Koronge. Mbogo sustained serious injuries to her leg, which was broken. The explosion comes a week after the U.S. Embassy in Kenya issued a possible terror attack warning. It also comes less than a month after a similar explosion took place in Mtwapa, claiming one life and injuring 30+.
Pray: against anti-Christian violence, and may Kenyan troops and government win the battle against al-Shabab. (Ps.12:7)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/kenya/article_1522556.html
