Kazakhstan: Laws restricting freedom of religion
Kazakhstan has recently closed mosques, churches and prayer rooms in prisons, citing two laws restricting freedom of religion or belief. ‘Mosques and Russian Orthodox churches were built in prisons in violation of building regulations and the law. They are illegal - that's why they are being closed down.’ Kazakhstan has also started closing prayer rooms in social care institutions. ‘We're all in shock,’ Fr Vladimir Zavadich of the Orthodox Church said. ‘We didn't expect this from our government. Now we fear this will happen everywhere.’ Orthodox Bishop Gennady of Kaskelen stated that this took away ‘the last consolation from those people who, for health reasons, find themselves in a desperate, helpless situation’. He described calls to bar priests from such homes, hospices and old people's homes as ‘inhumane’.
Pray: that Christians might meet for worship without needing state permission. (Pr.21:15)
More: http://www.forum18.org/index.php
America: Condoleezza Rice says, ‘Turn to the Holy Spirit’
Condoleezza Rice recently told students at the University of Mobile that asking God for guidance has been the driving force of her career - and that yielding to a ‘higher power’ in difficult times is always beneficial. The former Secretary of State told 400-plus students that her Christian faith and the decisions she makes are inseparable, and urged them to follow the Holy Spirit, as she has, to remain optimistic and persevere. ‘It's not that you say, 'Well, is this the right thing to do?' It's that you ask for guidance and are always aware that you have a higher power to which to appeal.’ Rice was, answering a question about how her faith impacted her role as Secretary of State ‘The best part about being a person of faith is that I could be continually optimistic even in hard times, I don't know how people who can't appeal to the Holy Spirit get through those hard times,’ she continued.
Pray: that across the world God would raise up more Christian leaders and anoint them to talk publicly about their faith. (Ps.40:4-6)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/November/Condoleezza-Rice-Shares-Faith-with-Alabama-Students/
Syria: Descent into civil war?
Army defectors attacked and destroyed parts of the Air Force Intelligence building in Harsata, (a major military base near Damascus). It is the Free Syrian Army's most high-profile attack since anti-government protests began. The rebel army was formed by military defectors opposed to Mr Assad and affirmed 15,000 members by mid-October, saying more soldiers and officers are defecting every day. They work alongside the Syrian people to topple the government and ‘stand up to the irresponsible military machine which is protecting the regime’. The government has severely restricted access for foreign journalists, and reports of violence are extremely difficult to verify. The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Rabat for the Arab League meeting, says reports of the attack show how the situation in Syria is becoming more serious by the hour. It is also a graphic illustration of how the conflict is moving close to being a civil war which might affect the whole region; rather than a fight between unarmed protesters and the government.
Pray: and call to God, for all those in distress, and may Jesus Christ reveal his truth and wisdom and change the hearts of those in authority. (Ps.55:18 & 139:20-21)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15752058
India: Two Christian communities attacked
Ultra-nationalist Hindu Bajrang Dal activists attacked members of two different Christian communities engaged in a prayer service, accusing them of practicing forced conversions. The episodes took place on November 12th and 13th in Karnataka.The assaulted Christians are now in prison. This brings to 40 the number of attacks against the Christian community of the state in 2011. ‘Two incidents in two days belie every promise regarding religious freedom made to the Christian community by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, a member of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). Collusion between the government of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar is very real, the attacks are deliberate and meticulously planned. As long as these movements escape the harsh measures of the Indian criminal justice system, violence will continue.’
Pray: for freedom of public worship for Christian minorities across secular India. (Ps.71:1)
