AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER * IRAQI REFUGEES CRY OUT TO CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD FOR SOLIDARITY * WEST PAPUA: 45 YEARS OF INDONESIAN RULE * PRAYER PENETRATES BORDERS OF BURMA * GRAND MUFTI SAYS YES TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM * HONDURAS HUNGER STRIKE TURNS INTO NATIONWIDE PRAYER AND FASTING * SURVEY REVEALS 92% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES ----------------------------------------------- IRAQI REFUGEES CRY OUT TO CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD FOR SOLIDARITY At a recent meeting of Iraqi Christian refugees and church representatives from around the world, Iraqi Christians told stories of incredible suffering in Iraq and overflowing hospitality in Syria. They heard about the pain of living in Iraq and eventually leaving. They heard of the strain the influx of 1.5 million Iraqi refugees have placed on the economy of Syria creating the need for jobs, safety and security. The prices for food and housing are skyrocketing, and it is extremely hard to find a well-paid job. Many spoke of the trauma they had suffered. "One day 3 gunmen stopped us" said one woman. "They confronted my daughter and asked her why she was in the street without a veil. After that, she did not want to leave home and she dropped out of university." Another said: "My wife and I knew Christians who were killed. Our numbers were in their mobile phones, and the murderers used them to call and threaten us. We also had some people we thought were friends, who turned out to work for the Mahdi Army. "They took our pictures in order to have us killed." Munir from the Calvinist community in Baghdad said. "My family was told to leave within 15 minutes or we will kill you," Shortly thereafter an armed gang arrived. "They raped our wives, and even my eighty-year-old mother was beaten." The family left "immediately, without even taking any clothes with us," selling the apartment for a fourth of its value. But life in Syria is not easy either, as the limited resources they managed to bring with them are now used up, and no jobs are available. "My wife urgently needs an operation," he said, "but I have no money to pay for it." While the refugees are grateful to the Syrian church for welcoming them, many feel let down by the international community. Western embassies have rejected visa applications again and again. "Do they want that parents go back to Iraq and get killed before they allow the children to get out? Must our young women go back and be raped before they are allowed out?" one man asked angrily. "Of course I want to go back to my country," a young woman explained. "But can you guarantee that I will not be killed? My relatives went back and were killed in one night." The concern felt by Syria's Christian communities for their brothers and sisters in and from Iraq was tangible. "Our church is an open house for Iraqi's either to hold their own services or to join ours, said the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorios III. Pastor Boutros Zaour, of the Evangelical National Church, said "it is Syria's destiny to be hospitable to refugees, ever since the Armenians fled here from the persecutions they suffered in the Ottoman Empire." Clare Chapman, representing the National Council of Churches USA, said "We must pray for the Iraqi refugees and work together as citizens of our home countries, to address the conditions they daily endure. We must take our responsibility seriously, as people of faith, to do whatever we can to support them as they try to rebuild the lives they lost through no fault of their own. We must join hands and approach our governments to tell them what we have seen and heard. When we return to our countries, we will think of you, we will pray for you and we will act for you." Source: Annegret Kapp - World Council of Churches ----------------------------------------------- WEST PAPUA: 45 YEARS OF INDONESIAN RULE When Indonesia declared its independence from Holland in 1949, the Dutch insisted that West Papua not become part of Indonesia as the Papuans were Melanesian and predominantly Christian, while the Indonesians were Malay and predominantly Muslim. So the Dutch remained in the territory, preparing the people for independence. The Papuans, who were evangelised mostly by Australian and American pioneer missionaries, turned from shamanism, headhunting, cannibalism and tribal war to Christ. In 1961 a West Papuan Council was elected, a flag was designed and a national anthem composed. Indonesia was furious and responded with an invasion. The United Nations intervened to prevent war. But these were also Cold War days. The Soviets had brokered an arms deal with Indonesia and so America, determined to secure geo-strategic Indonesia in the Western sphere of influence, trumped the Soviets by brokering a comparable arms deal and secretly offering to help Indonesia secure control of West Papua. In New York in August 1962, the US, on behalf of Indonesia, brokered an agreement with the Netherlands by which the territory's administration would be transferred to a UN temporary authority (UNTEA) until 1 May 1963. Control of West Papua would then be handed over to Indonesia on the understanding that a plebiscite would be held before the end of 1969 allowing the Papuans to vote for or against separation from Indonesia. Thus the Indonesians had six years to win the hearts and minds of the Papuans. On 1 May 1963, upon assuming administrative control of West Papua, Indonesia disbanded the elected West Papuan Council, burned West Papuan flags and banned the West Papuan national anthem. An era of colonisation, violent repression, exploitation, murder, racism and human rights abuses at the hands of the corrupt Indonesian military (TNI) had begun. The plebiscite was totally rigged and West Papua (Irian Jaya) was formally annexed by Indonesia on 17 September 1969. The intensity of repression has escalated dramatically since Indonesia lost control of East Timor in 1999. In addition the Islamic revival of the past two decades has added a religious dimension to the Papuans' plight, with Islamists pursuing its full Islamisation. The Laskar Jihad has been set up in West Papua since 2000 and when the jihad in the Moluccas ended, the out-of-work jihadists flooded into West Papua. The Papuans will soon be a minority in their own land. They are facing genocide due to TNI abuses. The Church must be their voice. PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR: * God to bless greatly all West Papuan pastors and Christian leaders with words of faith, grace and wisdom as they stand before their congregations, in the midst of their communities and in the presence of their persecutors. * all the innocent Papuans, including many Christians, who are suffering in Indonesian prisons, or who bear the wounds of TNI brutality. May the Holy Spirit draw each one closer to God, and may they know justice. * God to awaken the conscience of the Church and the world to the plight of the West Papuans. Source: World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission ----------------------------------------------- PRAYER PENETRATES BORDERS OF BURMA The situation in Burma continues to deteriorate as a result of the recent devastating cyclone. The pictures we are seeing and the reports coming out of the country are heart-breaking. Many people have not only lost their homes, but many have also lost loved ones. We need to blanket these hungry and homeless survivors in prayer. Many do not have access to food, clean water or medicine. Even though Burma's borders may be closed, our prayers can pass through. American diplomat Shari Villarosa said the number of deaths could eventually exceed 100,000 because safe food and water were scarce and unsanitary conditions widespread. The United Nations reported there were 1 million homeless people. Also, there were reports that the country's military junta are making it difficult for some international aid to get into Burma. According to the Open Doors' World Watch List, Burma is No. 25 on the list of 50 countries where Christians suffer state initiated persecution. Of the 55 million citizens, approximately 90% are Buddhist and 4% are Christian. As stated in the World Watch List: Burma is a police state. The army has ruled the country for many decades. There is limited freedom of religion. Most of the country's Christians belong to ethnic minorities and Army campaigns against these minorities often have a side-effect of persecuting Christians. Christians in Burma will feel the peace and comfort of worldwide prayers. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 Join in the first line of defence against this devastation as we pray for Burmese victims, rescue operations and the presence of God throughout their nation. Prayer Points: * That the leaders of Burma will honour the efforts of others around the world who want to help the survivors. * The tens of thousands of people missing will be found alive, reunited with their families and the estimated one million homeless will find shelter. * Food, clean water and medical supplies will be delivered to the most needy as soon as possible. Source: International Prayer Council ----------------------------------------------- GRAND MUFTI SAYS YES TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM The campaign for religious freedom in Egypt received an unexpected boost, when the country's official religious advisor, Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa, declared that Muslims are free to choose another religion without being subjected to human punishment. This significant statement follows on the heels of another one by Ali Gomaa which confirmed that there was no Islamic justification for female circumcision. "The essential question before us is can a person who is Muslim choose a religion other than Islam? The answer is yes, they can," the Grand Mufti was reported to have said in the Egyptian press. "The act of abandoning one's religion is a sin punishable by God on the Day of Judgment. If the case in question is one of merely rejecting faith, then there is no worldly punishment," he continued. "We hope that this man will have the courage to persevere in his enlightened views," commented Arab Vision's International Director, "and that the government of Egypt will be brave and not shy away from accepting the full implications of his words." In recent years, Muslims in Egypt have often been refused official documents to authorize their conversion to other religions. There have been some cases which have led to arrests and imprisonment as well. As a result, many are fearful to declare their faith in Christ, and some resort to being baptized secretly. "We are in contact with many Muslims who are longing for the day when they can follow Jesus Christ openly and freely," continues Arab Vision's Director. "We ask Christians around the world to pray. What happens today in Egypt can happen elsewhere in the Arab world tomorrow. Egypt, especially through its theologians, has great impact on the whole Muslim world. This opinion of Ali Gomaa may be the breakthrough we have been longing for." Source: Arab Vision ----------------------------------------------- HONDURAS HUNGER STRIKE TURNS INTO NATIONWIDE PRAYER AND FASTING In an extreme effort to put an end to the corruption within its government, more than 20 prosecutors in Honduras have been on a hunger strike or fast. But that's only the half of it. Many concerned Honduran citizens, as well as entire churches, have joined the endeavour, praying and fasting each day for their country that God would move His hand to root out corruption and injustice. Pastor Kathy Rubio, a missionary in Honduras, described what is happening. "The major part of the churches are joined in this, and are fasting with these people as well. They are in prayer everyday - all day long - and many more churches join every day. Rich, poor, old, young, people from all over have joined and the Catholic church has joined the strike as well." As Believers from every corner of Honduras unite together in prayer and fasting for their country it could be a powerful message to every nation throughout the world. As King Jehoshaphat prayed for the Lord's help, so the people of Honduras are standing against the evil in their land "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." (2 Chron. 20:12b).. Says Pastor Rubio, "It is the first time that I see hope. The people have been beaten down enough and are now ready to fight back." Let's stand with Honduras in prayer that all the world would witness the righteous judgment and unstoppable hand of the Lord. Source: Breaking Christian News ----------------------------------------------- SURVEY REVEALS 92% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES A survey undertaken by the Barna Group found some interesting perceptions of how Americans view themselves in relation to society. After gathering results from interviews with over 4,000 adults, in a nationally representative sampling of Americans, Barna's research showed that a vast majority see themselves as "independent thinkers" (95%). Even more, (98%) said they were "loyal and reliable," and four-out-of-five claim to be making a "positive difference in the world." Although 75% of Americans surveyed stated they were "very open" to alternative moral values, most respondents (92%) asserted that they support traditional family values, while 86% of Americans are "concerned about the moral state of the nation." Noting the lean toward supporting family values, George Barna added, "Media reports have concluded that people have moved past 'traditional family values' to more progressive social ideas. However, the people weren't aware of that shift. The research suggests that people are open to discussion about values and lifestyles, but they are not as open to changing what they believe to be acceptable behaviour or policy. They remain worried about the moral condition of the nation precisely because they see things moving in a direction that scares them." Source: Barna Group
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