* CHRISTIAN SATELLITE TELEVISION BLOCKED IN IRAN

* MORE AND MORE AMERICANS REJECTING ABORTION

* EMERGENCY PRAYER ALERT FOR SOMALIA

* KAREN CHRISTIANS SUFFER AT THE HANDS OF BURMESE MILITARY

* CHURCHES BOMBED AS SECTARIAN VIOLENCE ESCALATES IN IRAQ

* WHITE HOUSE HOSTS ITS FIRST GAY PRIDE CELEBRATION

CHRISTIAN SATELLITE TELEVISION BLOCKED IN IRAN

Protesters gathered to mark the tenth anniversary of a student uprising against the Islamic regime have been dispersed violently. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people assembled at Tehran University, the site of the 1999 uprising. According to some news sources Iran's government had not given a demonstration permit. The government has cracked down on civilian freedoms and interactions since the unrest after the elections-- including restrictions placed on cell phone and satellite signals.

SAT-7 's Terry Ascott said their Christian broadcasts have suffered. "The truth is that the Government has blocked many of the satellite channels. I'm not sure how they're doing it. Until now, it's not really been possible to block multiple satellite channels coming into the country without up-linking interference to the satellite," said Ascott. Ascott doesn't believe that the problem is going to go away anytime soon as far as peace is concerned. "There's been a fundamental undermining of trust in the regime, so this is a new dynamic."

The interruptions of satellite signals are happening mostly in Tehran. The programs that do make it through elsewhere are meeting ready hearts. "People caught up in this kind of change are, perhaps, more open than ever to the Gospel of Christ," said Ascott. SAT-7's programs address living in tension and include encouraging verses such as 1 Peter 5:7 which urges viewers to "cast your anxieties on Him, for He cares for you." SAT-7 planned to send Scriptures to viewers who have registered a mobile phone or e-mail address.

Ascott told of a man who saw one of SAT-7's programs. After losing his job, he worried how he would support his children. He prayed asking God to protect his children. That night, his daughter called from Armenia where she lived. She told him a man dressed in white had come to her house saying her father had sent him to warn her of a gas leak. She called her dad to ask him how he'd known, but he was too afraid to tell her his side of the story. Instead, he wrote a letter to SAT-7 telling them his story. Although not yet a Christian, he is in awe of their God.

The ministry of SAT-7 is having a powerful effect on people who live in areas where the message of Christianity is not well received. Ascott asks for prayer that the broadcasts will stop being interrupted and that the programs will give hope despite the tension and uncertainty about the future. Pray also that the economic downturn will not affect SAT-7's ability to financially support broadcasting in Iran and other nations.

Please pray:

* for the internal conflicts in Iran to cause Iranians to become totally dissatisfied with the religion of Islam. Pray for the demonic bondage of Islam to be broken and for the people to be set free to worship the only True and Living God.

* for every scheme of Satan to be turned into an opportunity for the advancement of the Kingdom of God in Iran. Pray for all corruption to be exposed and for honesty, integrity and justice to prevail in Iran.

* for disagreements to arise between the Ayatollahs and President Amadinejad and for the Lord to raise up the man He wants to lead Iran.

Source: Mission Network News

MORE AND MORE AMERICANS REJECTING ABORTION

The American people continue to move to the pro-life perspective on abortion according to the latest Moral Compass polling by the Knights of Columbus and Marist Institute. The poll mirrored findings of other recent surveys, showing that more Americans identify as pro-life than as pro-choice (an 11% shift from October), and that the vast majority of Americans favour restricting abortion. Among the key findings:

• 86% of Americans would significantly restrict abortion.

• 60% of Americans would limit abortion to cases of rape, incest or the life of a mother—or not allow it at all.

• 53% of Americans believe abortion does more harm than good to a woman in the long term.

• 79% of Americans support conscience exemptions on abortion for health care workers. This includes 64% of those who identify as strongly pro-choice.

• 69% of Americans think that it is appropriate for religious leaders to speak out on abortion.

• 59% say religious leaders have a key role to play in the abortion debate.

Additionally, the data showed that nearly every demographic sub-group had moved toward the pro-life position except for non-practicing Catholics and men under 45 years of age. Independents and liberals showed the greatest shift to the pro-life position since October, while Democrats were slightly less likely to be pro-life now than they were in October.

"The data shows that the American people are placing an ever increasing value on human life," said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "Far from the great divide that most people think exists when it comes to the abortion debate, there is actually a great deal of common ground. Most Americans are unhappy with unrestricted access to abortion and pundits and elected leaders should take note of the fact that agreement on abortion need not be limited to the fringes of the debate and issues like adoption or pre-natal care.

Source: Christian Newswire

EMERGENCY PRAYER ALERT FOR SOMALIA

Deadly violence between government troops and al-Shabaab terrorists has forced more than 200,000 residents to flee the capitol city of Mogadishu since May, 2009, according to the United Nations. Eyewitness reports describe the nation's capitol of Somalia as a ghost town with some sections completely deserted. Militants have taken over many buildings – even hospitals. Those medical facilities not controlled by extremists are overwhelmed with victims from the ongoing violence. At least 50 military troops have been admitted this month alone.

The United Nations has no way of knowing how many citizens are still trapped in Mogadishu, and are unable to attempt an escape to rescue them because of the war being waged in the streets. Refugee camps outside the capitol are overflowing and lack many basic necessities. Families face an agonizing choice, stay in streets where men fire mortars and machine-guns that have killed children asleep in their beds, or head out of town, where camps for the displaced are severely overstretched.”

One humanitarian aid group reports that half a million internally displaced persons (IDPs) are struggling to survive along the sides of the road leading from Mogadishu to the town of Afgoye. “It is freezing at night and sweltering by day, ” the group explains. “There is little food or water. Attacks are common.”

Please pray:

* for God to arise and intervene on behalf of those who are suffering in this crisis. Pray for Him to provide an abundance of clean drinking water, food, shelter, and safety for those who are trying to avoid the violence.

* that the Lord will speak to Somalis in dreams and visions. Pray the dreams will lead people to salvation and that revival will come immediately to the refugee camps.

* for God to give wisdom to President Sharif Ahmed, the head of the fragile, interim government, and that he will make all of his decisions for Somalia based on Biblical principles. Pray for a strong military that will be loyal to and take orders from the President, and will be strong and united to overcome the terrorists.

* for God to confuse, confound, and disband al-Shabaab, Hizbul-Islam, and any other murderous or terrorist groups roaming in or around this land immediately, and pray that their plans for destruction and terrorism will fail.

Source: Windows International Network

KAREN CHRISTIANS SUFFER AT THE HANDS OF BURMESE MILITARY

Violence in rural Burma/Myanmar has resulted in a growing number of displaced Karen people, a tribal group that is 60 percent Christian. In the last month, more than 4,000 ethnic minority Karen have crossed the border into Thailand which now has a refugee population of more than 100,000. This influx was brought on by fighting between the Karen National Union and the Myanmar military. In addition to the refugees in Thailand, the fighting has created nearly 500,000 internally displaced people in eastern Myanmar and resulted in countless atrocities against civilians.

Vision Beyond Borders President, Patrick Klein, says "Villages are being surrounded, and rockets lobbed in. The Myanmar regime then mows down with machine guns whoever is still alive, and then burns the evidence. They are also blockading villages so the people can't go out and get food; women are being raped and men are being set on fire while still alive. They are also poisoning the water supplies." Klein says, "We're hearing reports they're even lobbing rockets across the Thai border into the refugee camps, and Thailand is doing nothing to stop them."

A Barnabas Fund spokesman said "The army attacks the mountain villages, shooting the inhabitants as they run for their lives or captures them and sentences them to extremely heavy labour, literally working them to death as 'slaves' and sometimes even using them as human land mine sweepers, They plant landmines around the homes and the bodies to kill anyone who tries to return. Many of those who flee to the jungle die there from snake bites, disease or starvation. There have been many reports of children losing their parents and wandering alone in the jungle.

While you may believe there's nothing you can do, Klein says differently. "When God's people pray, things begin to happen. So we'd like all people to pray that the violence will be stopped and peace return for the Karen people." Klein continues, "People are coming to know the Lord, but I know they're really struggling and the church inside Burma is also struggling." People have felt like they're forgotten. But as Christians pray, the Christians in Burma will know that God is with them. And as word gets back that Christians are praying, it will encourage them."

Source: Mission Network News

CHURCHES BOMBED AS SECTARIAN VIOLENCE ESCALATES IN IRAQ

There have been a number of bomb attacks against churches in Iraq in recent days. On Saturday 11 July a church in western Baghdad was bombed. On Sunday 12 July five further churches in Baghdad were bombed. On Monday 13 July a church in Mosul was also bombed. In the deadliest of these bombings, in Baghdad on Sunday evening, four have been confirmed dead including three Christians. One source in Baghdad mentioned as many as 14 may have been killed. There are reports of many injuries, and of damage to the church buildings.

Also last Sunday, a senior provincial government official in Kirkuk, a Christian, was shot and killed while driving to work. It is not yet known whether or not his murder was religiously motivated. Christians in Iraq are concerned that this latest upsurge in sectarian violence demonstrates the continuing inability of government and security forces to quell such acts. They are also concerned that the continuing violence will dissuade Iraqi Christians who have relocated elsewhere in the Middle East from returning to Iraq in the near future.

Iraqi Christians request our prayers that:

a. This latest wave of sectarian violence will not escalate further, and that the security forces will act effectively to prevent further attacks. Pray that the perpetrators of the attacks and bombings will be convicted by the Spirit

b. Pray that all believers will be able to meet for worship without fear of persecution and violence and will know the Spirit's daily guiding and the Son's inner peace as they live amidst the violence in the area

c All officials involved will act justly, ensuring effective investigation and fair prosecution of the perpetrators.

Source: Middle East Concern

WHITE HOUSE HOSTS ITS FIRST GAY PRIDE CELEBRATION

Editors note: This article is disturbing in that it shows that spiritual blindness is now overtaking America as it has Britain and so much of Europe. It is sad to see the continuing steady erosion of once great and God fearing nations, but not even military and monetary supremacy can save a nation when it turns its back on God and casts off moral restraint.

More than 200 prominent lesbian / gay / bisexual / transgendered (LGBT)

activists were recently feted in the East Room of the White House at the first ever Presidential function to mark Gay Pride Month in America. The President and First Lady entered the celebration to thunderous applause. Obama told the group he is committed to "equality" for their community. "We seek an America in which no one feels the pain of discrimination based on who you are or who you love," Obama stated.

Obama said "Many Americans still cling to "worn arguments and old attitudes. We have made progress. And we will make more," he said. Obama pledged to overturn the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in the military and the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) signed by President Bill Clinton closing his speech with a promise to champion the homosexual cause in the days to come.

Source: Intercessors for America

Australian Prayer Network

July 20, 2009