China: No religion in politics allowed
‘There is no room for religion among the members of the Chinese Communist Party.’ said the vice president of the United Front. There is a real concern within the United Front that many members of the party, disillusioned by the fall in ideals, corruption, and materialism are discovering or rediscovering a religious dimension. It is not unusual for at least one third of party members to visit a Buddhist master on weekends, or meet up with a Catholic bishop, or start praying in a Protestant community. Some believe the Maoist tone of the above comment regarding religion is a sign of an internal power struggle ahead of the imminent change of leadership of the Communist General Secretary and Premier of the People's Republic of China.
Pray: that Chinese politicians will not use religion to gain attention and orchestrate agendas in the lead up to elections next year. (Ps.107:16)
North Korea: Uncertain future
With North Korea's Kim Jong-Il’s death there is fear and uncertainty. Only God knows what will happen next but we can pray for His purposes to be fulfilled through this event. North Korea is the world’s worst persecutor of Christians, the following statements are from a Prayer Alert INSIGHT article published earlier this year. ‘Those discovered to have any kind of faith or religious belief (and their families to three generations) are executed or sent to concentration camps for life; a North Korean concentration camp survivor told Congress North Korea’s No.1 enemy is God; a nuclear holocaust would be inevitable if South Korea engaged North Korea in war.’ See Open Doors requests prayer for the ‘Secret Christians’ within the government to gain more power and influence, for Christians to share about Jesus without fear of retaliation, and for the 50,000 Christians in prison camps.
Pray: that the change of leadership would bring about a shaking and eventual removal of North Korea’s tyranny. (Ps.10:14,15)
Egypt: Good news amidst concerns
Ramez Atallah the General Director of The Bible Society of Egypt writes, ‘Now when they had departed - behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child to destroy him.’ (Mat. 2:13) For many centuries Egyptians have been proud that when God’s Son needed refuge He came to their land for shelter and security. Today as the bright sunshine of the Arab Spring is being overshadowed by darkening clouds of the Arab Fall many Christians and moderate Muslims are seeking to flee from Egypt for freedom.’ For Ramez comments regarding ‘why Islamist parties have a majority of the votes’ and ‘unprecedented breakthroughs for the gospel’ in Egypt click the 'More' button for encouragement and prayer.
Pray: for God to continue to flood his Egyptian church with the love of Christ, that casts out all fear. (1 Jn. 4:18)
More: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/829923/8286a76943/1566502707/71f8713e24/
Cameron calls for return to Christian values
David Cameron has declared that ‘Britain is a Christian country and we should not be afraid to say so’, in a speech to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Mr Cameron told Church of England clergy gathered in Oxford that a return to Christian values could counter the country's ‘moral collapse’ and blamed a ‘passive tolerance’ of immoral behaviour for this summer's riots, Islamic extremism, City excess and Westminster scandals. His words will delight traditionalists in his party and Christian groups that claim believers are increasingly marginalised. He said the King James Bible was as relevant today as at any point in its history. He went on to say ‘We are a Christian country. And we should not be afraid to say so. Let me be clear: I am not in any way saying that to have another faith – or no faith – is somehow wrong but that the Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today.’
Pray: for such views to be reflected in Government policy and public life. (Lk.8:21)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/16/cameron-king-james-bible-anniversary
