Iran: Four prayer needs
1) Iranian naval vessels sailed the Suez Canal on Tuesday en route to Syria, the first time in three decades that Tehran has been allowed to send military ships through this strategic waterway. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu viewed the move 'with gravity.' The ships paid about $300,000 in fees for the passage, according to a Maritime agent. See: 2) After two days of violent street protests in one week, Iran's opposition Green Movement said it was pondering its next move and considering a continuation of street protests, according to opposition websites. Websites have since been shut down. 3) Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi have been under house arrest for over a week with little communication with the outside world. See: 4) Many Christians imprisoned for their faith need our prayers for Gods provision, and house churches in Iran need much wisdom at this time. See: Pray: for God’s power and authority to overrule all of Tehran's widening strategic horizons. (Pr.10:29-30) More: http://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/node?sid=21191
Afghanistan: Taliban and Christians
A more liberal Taliban group in Wardak province has stopped arresting women without burkas and is allowing some music ‘representing a new generation of militants’ locals say. Although the situation varies across Afghanistan, Wardak highlights how the Taliban's newest recruits have recently shown greater flexibility over social issues. We can pray that this will prelude even more openness and the removal of spiritual blindness amongst the ethnic Pashtuns. Meanwhile Joel News reports a Christian Afghani Red Cross employee who was arrested on false allegations, beaten, sleep deprived, and sexually abused in jail who then wrote from his cell that he rejoices in the Lord because Jesus appeared to him in a vision. Five days later he was able to pray for a fellow prisoner, a Pashtun Taliban member, who also met with Jesus and is now a believer. Pray: for physical freedom for Christians imprisoned for their faith and for spiritual freedom for the Taliban. (Ps.119:17-18) More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5idVJ5tf1_Qhtrpfi2AUwnFIrFeYg?docId=CNG.d9ba7
Israel: West Bank - are they next?
At this time of internet and cell phone assisted revolution, Arab bloggers, academics of Islamic studies and observers are saying in the media and in private, ‘If Binyamin Netanyahu's government and its lobby in Washington were rational they would be rushing to plan Israel's evacuation from the occupied territories and encouraging the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. That is because they would understand that the Arab revolution will not stop at the gates of the West Bank, especially when it is the occupation that unites virtually all Arabs and Muslims in common fury.’ Pray: for a negotiated solution for the West Bank before the regional violence erupts there. (Ps.118:17-18) More: http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/02/2011222211617377989.html
Israel: Two days in West Bank
Before dawn on Monday 50 Bedouin residents were made homeless. A Christian Peacemaker Team observer reported, ‘Israeli demolition crews took down tents, filled the well and water cistern with earth, uprooted and buried olive trees. All that was left was a small stone bread oven and the cave where residents took shelter during the demolition.’ Residents say they have ownership papers for the land they are driven from. Israeli officials say they are living on state land and must evacuate. UN Humanitarian Coordinator said, ‘If the authorities responsible for demolitions could see the devastating impact on vulnerable Palestinian communities, they might reflect upon the inhumanity of their actions. See: On Tuesday Benjamin Netanyahu refused to negotiate for a peaceful settlement after Palestinian requests for Israel’s settlement activities to halt were vetoed by America. Hamas called for an end to all Palestinian-Israeli contacts. – See item 5 below. Pray: for Christians, Israelis and Bedouins living on the land to know true peace and reconciliation in their homes and communities. (Ps.133:1) More: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-turn/2011/02/traveling_in_the_west_bank_par_1.html
