AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER

* IRANIAN LEADER DRIVEN BY ISLAMIC PROPHECY

* URGENT PRAYER REQUESTED FOR IRAN

* BETHLEHEM’S FORGOTTEN CHRISTIANS

* LEBANESE CABINET ENDORSES HEZBOLLAH’S RIGHT TO WEAPONS

* MIRACLE MUM BACK FROM THE DEAD

* FORMER ARCHERBISHOP SAYS BRITAIN IS LETTING IN TOO MANY IMMIGRANTS

* INDIAN CHRISTIANS FACED THREE ATTACKS PER WEEK IN 2009

———————————————–

IRANIAN LEADER DRIVEN BY ISLAMIC PROPHECY

Iran’s President Mahmud Ahmadinejad believes and acts on the expectation that the reappearance of the Hidden Imam is imminent, and that U.S. efforts in the Middle East are primarily focused on preventing his return. Shi’iteMuslims believe that their 12th imam, the Mahdi, born in 869, did not die but was hidden by God and will eventually reappear as the saviour of humankind, ending tyranny and bringing justice to the world. One-tenth of the world’s Muslims and 85 percent of Iranians are Shi’a.

In a recent speech Ahmadinejad said: “A divine hand will come soon to the Middle East to root out the tyranny in the world and Iran is paving the way for his coming and will serve him.” Shi’ite Muslims, unlike the majority of their Sunni co-faithful, have always believed in the Mahdi. But Ahmadinejad and the ultra-conservative Iranian clergy who support him, do not want to just peacefully hope and wait for the Mahdi. Ahmadinejad has introduced a completely new system into Iranian politics: “a militarist and messianic Islamism.”

Ahmadinejad and his supporters believe the best preparation for the Mahdi’s reappearance is the consolidation of an absolutist regime that brutally suppresses all real and potential opposition. Prior to the presidential election, Islamic clergy said that the legitimacy of the Islamic regime came not from a popular vote but from its “divine mission.” They issued a decree, instructing election officials across the country that rigging the vote results to save the Islamic system from infiltration by “anti-Islamic” forces was permitted. After the much-disputed election, millions of Iranians protested the results. Hundreds were killed, jailed, and tortured. Ahmadinejad told his supporters: “Let the inauguration pass, and we will hang our opponents from the ceiling.” After, the election, political groups and newspapers that criticized Ahmadinejad were banned and websites blocked. The Revolutionary Guards, Ahmadinejad’s main support within the regime, took over all mass communication companies and started to intensify its surveillance of the Internet.

After Ahmadinejad was elected president for his first term, Ayatollah Ali Meshkini, a supporter of Ahmadinejad, said: “The last action has started. We have to move fast to clean up Iran in order to turn to the revolution’s international tasks.” Ahmadinejad has already started the process of turning to those “international tasks.” Apart from supporting terrorist groups in the region, they are defying international pressure to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program is indeed peaceful, as they claim. They hide their new nuclear sites and threaten to build 10 or more uranium-enrichment plants.

The more pressure mounts on them, the more aggressive Ahmadinejad’s clique becomes. They seem ready to risk reprisals that could endanger their own rule—from tough sanctions to military action. In Shi’ite Islam, the apocalypse precedes the coming of the saviour. Ahmadinejad is trying his best to speed up the apocalypse. For Iranians, the apocalypse began when Ahmadinejad came to power. Maybe Iranians really do need a worldly messiah, or at least a few individuals who would save them and the world from the tyranny and sabre-rattling of the Ahmadinejad regime.

Source: Intercessors Network

———————————————–

URGENT PRAYER REQUESTED FOR IRAN

Unrest in Iran over the contested presidential election in June 2009 continued this past week as supporters of both the opposition and government protested in the streets of Tehran. Another in a series of protests was held by those in opposition to the Iranian government on Sunday, December 27, 2009. Police opened fire on demonstrators, despite the fact that it was the holiest day in Shiite Islam – a day when violence is considered taboo. Untold numbers were killed. The government has admitted eight deaths, but there are reports that many more died.

Protesters shouted “Death to Khamenei,” referring to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. On December 30, tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators responded by marching through the streets of Tehran, chanting, “Death to Moussavi.” Mir Hussein Moussavi is the leader who, according to the opposition, rightfully won the June election. This show of support, however, was reportedly staged by the government. Civil servants were given the day off so that they could attend rallies.“

The chants of the crowds,” observed one journalist, “spoke of the depth of the schism in Iranian society since the presidential election in June that the opposition claims the government stole from reformist candidates.” According to Radio Netherlands, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s jet plane was checked and made ready on Sunday, December 27, 2009 in the event that he was forced to flee the country. The unrest in Iran which surfaced in the aftermath of the June 2009 presidential election has not died down, despite the government’s violent responses.

PRAY FOR:

* the Lord to bring peace to Iran – both physical and spiritual peace and for the manipulative plans of men to be defeated..

* the government to end its quest to eliminate those who do not agree with its policies and activities. Pray for the truth to be revealed regarding the presidential election.

* corruption to be rooted out of the government and for high-ranking members – especially Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – to have personal encounters with Jesus Christ leading to repentance, deliverance, and salvation.

* the Lord to protect Believers in Iran as they face intense persecution for their faith. Pray for the Lord to stand by their side, giving them strength. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come to Iran drawing its citizens into relationship with Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

* the ongoing unrest in Iran to cause citizens to not only question their leadership, but have the blinders removed from their eyes to clearly see the lies of Islam. Pray for their eyes to be opened so that they can see the Light of the Gospel and the Glory of Christ.

Source: Windows International Network

———————————————–

BETHLEHEM’S FORGOTTEN CHRISTIANS

The little town of Bethlehem is characterized as the tranquil birthplace of Jesus. But the Bethlehem of today evokes somewhat different sentiments. Whilst displaying a tranquil outer layer, with landmarks such as the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherd’s Fields – it also has an inner layer of turmoil and pain. Beyond the tourist sites, is where you find the real story of Bethlehem. Men and women still walk in the footsteps of Christ today. The Bethlehem Bible College, provides an opportunity for students from a myriad of backgrounds to gain a quality education.

Outside the College the Muslim call to prayer is regularly broadcast from dozens of mosques. This is just one of the day-to-day challenges that Palestinian Christians must deal with. The Muslim presence permeates this land. The Institute for Middle East Understanding estimates that about 93% of Palestinians are Muslims, leaving an estimated 6% who are Christians. In the Occupied Territories it is estimated that Palestinian Christians comprise perhaps less than 3% of the population. Islamic neighbourhoods abound, and extremism is ever present.

It is hard when their national identity is so closely intertwined with the Muslim faith. Palestinian Christians feel misunderstood. They are not Muslims, but they are Palestinian. They do not support the extremist attacks, but they often feel that they are treated unjustly by the Israeli army. For many Palestinian believers, the wall around their city feels like a prison. Let us pray for our Christian brothers and sisters caught up in a conflict not of their making that they would not only survive but indeed flourish and become part of the solution to the problems of their people.

Source: Intercessors Network

———————————————–

LEBANESE CABINET ENDORSES HEZBOLLAH’S RIGHT TO WEAPONS

Lebanon’s cabinet has endorsed Hezbollah’s right to keep its arsenal of weapons. The statement by the government said it respected the right of Lebanon’s army and “its resistance” to “liberate Lebanese territory” The issue of group’s militia was at the heart of political deadlock before the new government was formed in November. Hezbollah, which holds two seats in the government, argues it needs weapons to defend itself against Israel. Five ministers from the Christian Phalange Party “expressed reservations” about the clause in the policy statement.

In May 2008 Hezbollah deployed forces in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, when political negotiations failed. The new 30-member government led by Sunni, Saad Hariri, was formed in November, with Hezbollah and its allies holding 10 seats. Hezbollah’s militia is believed to have thousands of missiles and rockets. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah outlined the group’s new manifesto which focused on Lebanese sectarian and political unity, and armed confrontation with Israel. Hezbollah fought a war with Israel in 2006 during which more than 1,200 Lebanese were killed.

Hezbollah is militarily stronger than the Lebanese army, and in violation of a UN resolution is not disarming and intends to develop its already plentiful arsenal of weapons to defend itself against Israel. ‘Western-backed Prime Minister Saad Hariri, presiding over a weak coalition in which the Hezbollah-led minority has a virtual veto, knew that if he didn’t give in to the militants’ demands they probably could take over by force . Hezbollah has made no secret of its goal to establish Islamic law in Lebanon, preferably through democratic means but by force if necessary.’

Source: BBC UK

———————————————–

MIRACLE MUM BACK FROM THE DEAD

Mike Hermanstorfer is claiming a Christmas miracle after his wife and newborn baby apparently came back from the dead. His wife Tracy went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing on Christmas Eve whilst giving birth. Doctors performed an emergency caesarean section to try to save the baby’s life but then had to inform Mr Hermanstorfer that his son had not survived either. As the father held his son in his hands, he felt the boy begin to move. And at the same time Mrs Hermanstorfer, also began to breathe again. “It was the hand of God.” her husband said.

Doctors at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, said there was no logical explanation for the recovery of the mother or her baby. “She was dead,” maternal foetal medicine specialist Dr Stephanie Martin said. “She had no heartbeat, no breathing, no blood pressure. She was as grey as her sweat suit and there were no signs of life. “The baby was basically limp with a very slow heart rate. We did a thorough evaluation and can’t find anything that explains why this happened.”

Doctors and nurses began CPR in an attempt to restart her heart. Mr Hermanstorfer recalls a doctor telling him: “We have been unable to revive her and we’re going to take your son out.” They began a caesarean section to remove the baby and did not use anaesthetic on the assumption that the mother was dead. Some of the medical team stayed with Mrs Hermanstorfer to continue efforts to resuscitate her, while others began massaging baby Coltyn. Mrs Hermanstorfer said she recalled nothing of the incident.

Source: News.com.au

———————————————–

FORMER ARCHERBISHOP SAYS BRITAIN IS LETTING IN TOO MANY IMMIGRANTS

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey is calling for tighter controls on immigration and has warned political parties that voters’ anger over the issue should not be ignored in the run up to the General Election. Lord Carey is one of 20 signatures to a declaration urging all parties to consider the impact that immigration is having on the UK calling for measures to be put in place to prevent Britain’s population reaching 70 million. They also urged parties to commit to cutting net immigration into the UK to below 40,000 a year.

Since 1997, Labour’s policy has seen the population increase by 1.6 million. The Treasury has been one of the main beneficiaries, with cheap migrant labour helping to keep inflation low. A House of Commons cross party Group for Balanced Migration, who launched the declaration said: “Poll after poll shows the public to be deeply concerned about immigration and it’s impact on our population.” But as yet, no party has made any commitments to the issue despite the looming General Election.

The declaration said that ignoring the issue could be disastrous and lead voters to extremist parties with a tougher stance on immigration: “We are convinced that failure to take action would be seriously damaging to the future harmony of our society.” The warning comes as reports suggest the population will exceed the current 61.4 million to 70 million in just 20 years if immigration is not tackled.

Source: Premier News

———————————————–

INDIAN CHRISTIANS FACED THREE ATTACKS PER WEEK IN 2009

After unprecedented attacks on Christians in the previous two years, 2009 brought little respite as the minority faith faced an average of more than three violent attacks a week. There were at least 152 attacks on Christians in 2009, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of India. In the states which have anti-conversion laws, Hindu hardliners routinely use them to arrest Christians on spurious accusations of “forcible conversion.” In southern India, long considered a haven for Christians, recorded the highest incidence of anti-Christian violence.

Of the total 152 incidents, 86 were reported from southern states. The morale of Christians in Orissa remained low as few assailants in the 2008 rampage were brought to justice. “The courts in Kandhamal make a mockery of the judicial process, and the murderers lord it over the witnesses and victims while judges and law look on,” said Dr. John Dayal, a member of the government’s National Integration Council. “The church remains helpless, it’s puny effort at giving strength to the witnesses falling far too short.”

Source: Compass Direct News

http://www.ausprayernet.org.au/

Related Articles:

• SUDAN & BURMA: CHRISTIAN REFUGEES IN PERIL
• Pray for the World 6 February 2012
• PRAYER OF A HUMBLE SERVANT
• Prayers for Help in Times of Trouble
• Pray for the World (January 31, 2012)

This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Australia License.