World: Ramadan Aug 1-30th
Ramadan is a holy time for Muslims; their day is spent fasting from sun-up to sun-down. During this time they seek to purify their souls, practice self sacrifice and desire that God be more attentive to their prayers. Since Muslims are more sensitive to hearing from God during Ramadan, opportunities are increased to draw them toward the truth of the Gospel. Open Doors is calling on Christians in the West to pray for Christians living in Islamic dominated countries - praying specifically for God to fill and strengthen them with the ‘Fruit of the Spirit.’ This ‘fruit ’embodied in each believer moulds, shapes and transforms us - expressing the image of His Son - and through this image, shining through a believer, God draws people to salvation. We are asked to boldly stand together for our brothers and sisters
Pray: that many will be blessed, meet Christ and take the first steps into the fullness and truth of God’s kingdom. (Is.45:5-6)
More: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/Ramadan?source=long&link=read_more
Iran: US spy plane shot down over nuclear site
Iran has shot down an unmanned U.S. spy plane over its Fordu nuclear site by the Revolutionary Guards’ air defence units, a state-run website reported Wednesday, a day after it confirmed it was installing a new generation of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges. The Fordu site was secretly built inside a mountain bunker near the holy city of Qom and was acknowledged by Iran after Western intelligence identified it in 2009. Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed Iran was installing two more advanced models of the centrifuges used to refine uranium for large-scale testing at a research site. In January Iran announced it had shot down two unmanned western reconnaissance drone aircraft in the Gulf. Iran is at odds with major powers over its nuclear work. The United States and Israel, Iran's arch foes, have not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails to end the nuclear row. Pray: for Almighty God to bring Iran into his purposes and heritage amongst the nations. (Is.32:16 & Is.45:22) More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/20/us-iran-usa-plane-idUSTRE76J1WP20110720
Pakistan: Eight aid workers missing
Pakistani employees of a US based aid organization are missing and feared kidnapped in Pakistan's volatile southwes,t bordering Afghanistan, a senior Pakistani government official said on Tuesday. The American Refugee Committee (ARC) employees were returning from an Afghan refugee camp in Pishin in Baluchistan province on Monday evening when they went missing. They distributed some relief goods among the refugees and were probably kidnapped on their way back to Quetta. Efforts are underway to recover them. Militants linked to al-Qaeda and the Taliban, as well as ethnic Baluch militants fighting for more autonomy, have been involved in violence in the region, which also borders Iran. Kidnapping is an industry in Pakistan's lawless tribal regions, with money often being the main motivation rather than political demands. Ransoms are a large source of revenue for the Taliban, al-Qaeda and the Baluch insurgency. ARC has worked in refugee camps since 2002 focusing on providing health care and training in basic health services.
Pray: for Christian NGO workers to be protected as they minister to physical, emotional and spiritual needs. (Ps.25:21)
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/19/us-pakistan-kidnap-idUSTRE76I0PY20110719
North Korea: Uprising?
'North Korea is grappling with an unfavourable situation but the regime’s tight grip on its people will prevent any Arab-style uprising’, South Korea’s defence minister said Wednesday. ‘The state of affairs in the North is indeed inauspicious and anything can happen there,’ Kim Kwan-Jin said in a forum. ‘We may consider whether the Jasmine Revolution could find its way into North Korea,’ the minister added. The impoverished North suffers persistent food shortages and downpours this month battered many areas. United Nations agencies say more than six million people urgently need food aid. The South, which blames its neighbour for two deadly border incidents last year, refuses to provide government aid. Pray: that God would open avenues for Christians to serve where aid and resources are in short supply. (Is.32:3) More: http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/20/n-korea-can-avert-uprising-s-korea-minister.html
