Afghanistan and Pakistan: Continued Violence and Pakistani Link to the Taliban
“Suicide attacks by the Taliban against government targets over the last two days demonstrate the near futility of trying to negotiate with the group. Despite talks between the US and the Taliban over the last year and indications that the Obama administration is considering releasing Taliban prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay facility as part of a peace settlement, the Taliban thus far has shown no indications of agreeing to a cease-fire.” January 12, Newsmax.com
In addition, a BBC News report from January 6 states that the Taliban in Afghanistan are being “directly assisted by Pakistani security services, according to a secret Nato report.” This report, the result of thousands of interrogations, claims the Taliban “remain defiant and have wide support among the Afghan people.” The report also alleges that Pakistan knows the locations of senior Taliban leaders and has not divulged that information. After 10 years of war and the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars, this is very discouraging reading for Nato and the Afghan government.
A Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman denied these allegations calling them "ridiculous" and saying "we are committed to non-interference in Afghanistan and expect all other states to strictly adhere to this principle."
US Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby commented: "We have long been concerned about ties between elements of the ISI [Pakistan's intelligence service] and some extremist networks," said US Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby, adding that the US Defence Department had not yet seen the report.
Please pray for the peace and healing of both Pakistan and Afghanistan and for the cutting off of ties between Pakistan’s intelligence services and government with the Taliban. This is such a strategic part of the world and we need to keep covering it in our prayers of intercession with faith for breakthrough.
What people experienced in Church
The Barna Group recently surveyed Americans who attended church and reported on their worship experiences. Barna is a private, non-partisan, for-profit organization that conducts research, produces media resources about spiritual development and facilitates the spiritual growth of Christian ministries The survey found that connecting with God was the most important outcome facilitated by churches; most (66%) felt they had ‘a real and personal connection’ with God while attending church, yet one-third of church attendees never experienced God’s presence. Overall, one-quarter of Americans said their life had been profoundly changed by attending church, while one-fourth described church attendance as ‘somewhat’ influential. Nearly half said their life had not changed at all. The study revealed that nearly seven out of 10 respondents said they felt ‘part of a group of people who are united in their beliefs and who take care of each other in practical ways.’
Praise: God for the way that so many are gaining so much from being part of His Church. (Ac.2:17-21)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11196-what-people-experienced-in-church
What people experienced in Church
The Barna Group recently surveyed Americans who attended church and reported on their worship experiences. Barna is a private, non-partisan, for-profit organization that conducts research, produces media resources about spiritual development and facilitates the spiritual growth of Christian ministries The survey found that connecting with God was the most important outcome facilitated by churches; most (66%) felt they had ‘a real and personal connection’ with God while attending church, yet one-third of church attendees never experienced God’s presence. Overall, one-quarter of Americans said their life had been profoundly changed by attending church, while one-fourth described church attendance as ‘somewhat’ influential. Nearly half said their life had not changed at all. The study revealed that nearly seven out of 10 respondents said they felt ‘part of a group of people who are united in their beliefs and who take care of each other in practical ways.’
Praise: God for the way that so many are gaining so much from being part of His Church. (Ac.2:17-21)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11196-what-people-experienced-in-church
Burkina Faso: Blind see, deaf hear at Bonnke meeting
The Holy Spirit swept across Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, last week. Evangelists Reinhard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda wrapped up the fourth night of Christ for All Nations' Gospel Campaign there and are reporting an outpouring. ‘The Holy Spirit was poured out on the multitude in a mass baptism of fire! Dramatic signs and wonders accompanied the preaching of the gospel,’ Kolenda wrote in an update to partners. ‘An old mama who was totally blind for two years received her sight. A woman with a lump in each of her breasts, said that during the prayer both lumps vanished. A totally deaf woman was also completely healed along with another blind girl.’ Saturday morning marked the grand finale of the Fire Conference. Peter van den Berg preached with Kolenda following. Before he could take the microphone, Kolenda says the Holy Spirit was already falling.
Praise: God for this evidence that we can see the work of the Holy Spirit in action in this day. (Lk.7:21-22))
More: http://www.charismanews.com/world/32738-blind-see-deaf-hear-at-bonnke-meeting-in-africa
