Libya: War shrinks Christian communities
Tripoli's Roman Catholic bishop focuses on keeping Moammar Gaddafi’s men and anti-government rebels out of his church since most of his congregation has fled Libya's violence. After a recent Mass several Muslim women, all Gaddafi supporters, followed Bishop Giovanni Martinelli into the vestry tearfully demanding he call the Vatican asking the pope to halt NATO airstrikes. Some of his parishioners, especially African migrant workers, are using St. Francis Church as a sanctuary because they dread going into the streets where they are harassed by Gaddafi's security forces. The war has battered and scattered Christian African migrant labourers, Filipino health care workers, and European expatriates living in Tripoli. Missionary activity is not allowed, though clergy say the regime has respected Christians's freedom of worship. Pray: for the Christian communities to be in a place of hope and faith, used by God to minister in love to their neighbours. (1Th.5:21-22)
North Korea
North Korea is considered the world's most repressive nation. Christians are seen as refusing to accept the supreme authority of the late Kim Il Sung, North Korea's first leader, and his son, Kim Jong Il. Please pray for Christians in North Korea who can be killed simply for owning a Bible. All Christian meetings, Christian literature and Bibles are banned so believers are forced to meet in secret. Ask God to protect North Korea's underground church and raise up strong leaders. Many Christians have been sent to death camps as political prisoners and subjected to brutal treatment in appalling conditions. Please pray for Christians in detention asking God to help them to endure and share Christ's love with their fellow inmates. Before the Communists came to power, there were 300,000 Christians in North Korea and the capital Pyongyang was known as 'Asia's Jerusalem'.
Pray: for revival to break out once again in the so-called 'hermit kingdom'. (Eph.2:22)
More: http://www.releaseinternational.org/javascript/prayers.htm
Israel: Pressure on Messianic Jews
Voice Of the Martyrs sources say Messianic Jews in Israel are facing increased pressure from groups opposed to freedom of religion. One group, Yad L’Achim, staged a demonstration against a Messianic congregation of 150 in Ashdod. ‘The speech against believers was slanderous and vicious,’ said a VOM source. An Israeli television station recently profiling Yad L’Achim described them as a militia that goes outside the law to carry out its agenda. Many Messianic Jews have had residency visas and even their citizenship revoked once their faith in Jesus was discovered. Others face constant harassment at their homes and businesses. ‘It is very important for you who pray for the Messianic body in Israel to understand the depth of the paranoia and the hatred for the name of the true Messiah of Israel,’ the Voice of the Martyrs source said. Pray: for God to strengthen and encourage the persecuted, blessing those proclaiming His truth. (Jn.17:3)
Iran: The battle for Iran
In recent months a campaign of threats and opposition against any faith contrary to Shiite, especially the Christian faith, has been under way by Shiite clerics and all media outlets connected to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Christian News Agency (MohabatNews) reported a meeting of cleric leaders speaking out against ‘the ever-increasing activities of ‘false Christians’ (Protestant and born-again Christians!), and ‘false Christianity’. Adding, ‘the Pope is actively atempting to spread Christianity inside Iran and such actions will result in exposing the Catholic Church for issues that would be very costly to the church’. Iran has the largest population of non-Christians in the 10/40 window. Violence and crime is rising. Iran has the highest drug per capita in the world with people turning to drugs and prostitution to escape pain and hopeless situations. But, praise God! Iranians are hungry for truth. There is an unprecedented openness to the gospel message (see praise item below)
Pray: protection for all Christian mission to Iranians so that many more will find hope, peace, and redemption through Christ. (Lk.24:47)
More: http://www.iranaliveministries.org/
