AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER

* SRI LANKA TENSE FOLLOWING ELECTION

* EMERGENCY PRAYER ALERT FOR NIGERIA

* QUEBEC GOVERNMENT PLANS TO ELIMINATE BELIEF THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS IMMORAL

* FEBRUARY DECLARED A MONTH OF PRAYER FOR HAITI CHILDREN

* EMERGENCY PRAYER ALERT FOR MALAYSIA

* U.K. CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE VICTORY OVER EQUALITY BILL

* U.K. LEADER SAYS FAITH SCHOOLS MUST TEACH HOMOSEXUALITY IS NORMAL

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SRI LANKA TENSE FOLLOWING ELECTION

Sri Lanka is on edge after its presidential election. The nation’s incumbent president Mahinda Rajapakse declared victory in the election. However, his main challenger, estranged army chief Sarath Fonseka, is contesting the results. Once working as a team, they defeated the Tamil Tigers in May last year, ending a separatist conflict that left 80,000-100,000 dead. Without the war, cracks have emerged in the alliance. Personal animosity between the candidates fuelled the campaign’s vicious nature, and the verbal attacks fuelled concerns for further unrest.

We asked Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs what Christians might expect from a leader whose style they already know. Nettleton said “Rajapakse has talked a lot about economic development but not a lot about religious freedom. So, it will be interesting to see if that does become part of his platform moving forward.” A bill titled “Bill for Prohibition of Forcible Conversions,” was shelved prior to the election but will be discussed again after changes are made to align it with Sri Lanka’s constitution which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The proposed legislation, calls for penalties including fines up 500,000 Sri Lankan rupees ($5,000) and/or seven years in prison for anyone who tries to convert a Sri Lankan citizen from one religion to another by using force, fraud or allurement. The Jathika Hela Urumaya political party, whose leadership is comprised of Buddhist monks, drafted it. A leader of that party is on record as saying that US funded Christian missionaries are one of the greatest threats facing Sri Lanka.

Nettleton says the question is, “Will they try to protect the freedom of Christians to witness for Christ and the freedom of other people to choose Christianity, or will they pressure the Church through an anti-conversion law, designed to stop the church from reaching out with the Gospel?”

Please pray for boldness for Christians and wisdom for the leaders. Ask the Lord to work in the hearts of those targeting Sri Lankan believers so that they will repent and come to faith in Him. Pray that Christians in Sri Lanka will continue to share the news of God’s grace.

Source: Intercessors Network

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EMERGENCY PRAYER ALERT FOR NIGERIA

More than 300 people have been killed in just 3 days in the Nigerian city of Jos. Though the cause of this particular conflict has not been determined, it has again pitted Christians against Muslims, resulting in yet more deadly violence. Nigeria has seen numerous outbreaks of persecution against Christians. The city of Jos, located between the mostly Muslim north and mostly Christian south, has been described as the “flashpoint” for much of the ongoing animosity and violence. In 200l, 1,000 people died in Muslim/Christian clashes. In 2004, several hundred were killed.

In 2008, hundreds more were killed – among them several pastors. Some have attributed these disputes to poverty, as well as religious differences. The region is “in the midst of a serious economic crisis,” explains a Nigerian university professor, that has resulted in a “breakdown of law and order.” Whatever the reason the attacks are taking lives at an alarming rate. One unconfirmed report suggested that the latest outbreak, which began on January 19 may have started when Christians objected to a proposal to build a mosque in a Christian area of Jos.

However, similar accusations against Christians made after other violent conflicts, have turned out to be untrue. More than three hundred people have been killed in just three days in the Nigerian city of Jos. Though the cause of this particular conflict has not been determined, it has again pitted Christians against Muslims, resulting in yet another deadly spree of violence. Please pray for:

* the Lord to arise and protect His people in northern Nigeria. Pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort Believers who have been attacked, threatened, and lost loved ones. Pray the perpetrators of these attacks to be captured and brought to justice swiftly.

* the Lord to give the government of Nigeria wisdom in dealing with these attacks. Pray for leaders to defend the cause of Christians and take steps to ensure their safety. Pray that aid groups will be able to reach those who have been displaced with desperately needed food.

* the hearts of Muslims in northern Nigeria to be repulsed by this violence. Pray for them to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Pray for them to respond to the Lord’s invitation to be set free from the lies and barbaric destruction of extremist Islam and brought into the Kingdom of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pray for believers in South Nigeria to intercede for their Brothers and Sisters in the North. Pray for the Lord to raise up labourers who will go into this dangerous territory with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Source: Windows International Network

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QUEBEC GOVERNMENT PLANS TO ELIMINATE BELIEF THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS IMMORAL

Opponents of “hate crimes” legislation, who point to Canada as an example of how such laws are used to suppress moral objections to homosexuality, now have more fuel for their fire. The Quebec Policy Against Homophobia, released last month by Quebec’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General Kathleen Weil, assigns the government the task of eliminating all forms of “homophobia” and “heterosexism” from society as a whole – including the belief that homosexuality is immoral.

The text of the policy is steeped in bureaucratic language but the goal is clear: to enlist the government to normalize homosexuality and to quell common criticisms levied against “sexual minorities” such as “lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgenders.” “An inclusive society must take the steps to combat homophobic attitudes and behaviour patterns and move towards full acceptance of sexual diversity,” said the Premier of Quebec Jean Charest. “The policy sets out the government’s goal of removing all the obstacles to full recognition of sexual minorities.”

The policy states that heterosexuality as a social norm or the highest form of sexual orientation must be stamped out. The policy laments, “Some people still say that homosexuality is an illness, morally wrong or a form of deviant behaviour. These beliefs tend to marginalize minority groups and prevent their full recognition in society.” Such “prejudice,” must be combated. Whilst the word “church” is never mentioned the policy does declare it important to “target the various institutions in which homophobic attitudes and behaviour patterns are found.”

Quebec was the first jurisdiction in North America to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in 1977. In 1995, the province included sexual orientation as an aggravating factor in “hate crimes,” a law expanded in 2004 to include “hate propaganda.” Same-sex marriage was legalized in Quebec in 2005. The progression from “hate crime” legislation to outlawing “hate propaganda” to now enlisting the government’s power in socially normalizing homosexuality is now almost complete.

Source: WorldNetDaily

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FEBRUARY DECLARED A MONTH OF PRAYER FOR HAITI CHILDREN

As World Vision provides emergency assistance to children and families in Haiti, the Christian aid group is asking Christians to pray for the critical needs of children during the month of February. World Vision began distributing relief supplies less than 24 hours after Haiti’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck January 12. The organization continues to distribute food and supplies, as well as support medical efforts and encourage the protection of children following the crisis.

“We are especially concerned about children’s needs and vulnerabilities in this disaster. We know it is going to be a marathon and not a sprint to help them and their families recover and rebuild their lives,” said World Vision’s Steve Haas. “The outpouring of generosity and support for World Vision’s response has been incredibly encouraging for our staff on the front lines. But we are also asking families, churches, and people across the world to remember the children of Haiti in prayer as we move into the second month of this urgent and critical response effort.” Suggested prayer points are:

• Mondays: Food and water. Many children in Haiti were already malnourished before the earthquake. The impact of further malnutrition, especially on children under age 2, can do permanent damage to their physical and brain development. Pray that deliveries of food and water reach children, that secure distribution channels be established for the ongoing relief effort, and for sustainable clean water and agriculture projects to flourish.

• Tuesdays: Injury recovery and health. Disasters make children particularly vulnerable to diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. Many will also require ongoing health services to recover from injuries. Pray for medical supplies and health care to reach these children.

• Wednesdays: Homelessness. Streets are increasingly unsafe places for children to be, yet without schools and homes, many have no safe places in which to take refuge. Pray for homeless children to find temporary shelter and for homes to be re-established.

• Thursdays: Families’ livelihoods. Many families have lost their jobs, small businesses and other means of income because of the earthquake. Pray for struggling families: that they may find and develop new sources of income to provide for their children.

• Fridays: Children’s voice heard in recovery. The children of Haiti bear a heavy weight from their country’s problems as well as earthquake losses. Families, teachers and officials can create forums where children can share their concerns and learn about their rights. Pray that communities will foster this and that leaders will listen to children’s needs and work with them towards developing solutions.

• Saturdays: Comfort and healing. The horror of surviving a disaster, seeing bodies in the streets, lacking basic necessities and for some being separated from parents, takes more than a physical toll. Pray for the emotional and psychological restoration of children affected by this disaster.

• Sundays: Safety and protection. Children without adult caregivers become vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation especially following disasters. Pray for the reuniting of children with their families, the proper care for orphans, and for the protection of children from harm.

Source: World Vision

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EMERGENCY PRAYER ALERT FOR MALAYSIA

Eleven churches have been attacked after a ruling by the High Court of Malaysia that allowed the use of the word “Allah” in reference to God by non-Muslims. Three suspects have been charged in relation to these crimes. The dispute began two years ago when the government banned a Roman Catholic publication from using the word “Allah.” The law had been in place since the 1980s but had never been enforced. In recent years, Bibles employing “Allah” in reference to the Christian God have been confiscated.

One source reports that “Arabic speaking non-Muslims, including Christians, have for centuries used “Allah” as a translation for God.” The government however has deemed it a strictly Islamic word which is not allowed to be used, except by Muslims. Muslims have been concerned that “Allah” will be employed by Christians to trick followers of Islam into converting to Christianity. The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Malaysia has called for a time of fasting and prayer to restore order and seek peace between the warring groups.

Please pray for:

* the Lord to restore peace to this troubled nation. Pray for this issue to be used to reveal the True and Living God. and for Muslims to have their blind eyes opened to and receive the Light of Jesus Christ.

* an immediate end to the violence against Christians, and for those who have been violent, to swiftly be brought to justice. Pray also for believers to stand firm in the Lord and in the power of His might, putting on the whole armour of God and boldly proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Pray for the Kingdom of God to come in great power, with signs, wonders, and miracles, displaying the glory and majesty of the Living Christ.

* our Christian Brothers and Sisters to be encouraged and strengthened as they seek the Lord for their people and nation. Pray that Christians around the world would intercede on behalf of Malaysia and lift up those in the Body of Christ who are facing intense persecution. Pray also for a turning of hearts and minds in the government and among the militant Islamic community as the Holy Spirit moves, transforming these “Sauls” to “Pauls.”

Source: Windows International Network

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U.K. CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE VICTORY OVER EQUALITY BILL

The prayers of many Christians were answered when the House of Lords last week defeated changes to a law that would have required church groups to hire people whose lifestyle was inconsistent with Christian teaching. Lady O’Cathain, who proposed an amendment to the Equality Bill exempting religious groups from the new laws, said: “I know that many Christians were praying that justice would prevail as we voted on this important issue. We give thanks to God for the outcome, as we continue to pray for our Government, as Scripture exhorts us to do.”

The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge commented, “The prayers of thousands of Christians and letter writing to peers has protected our freedom. Churches should be free to employ people whose conduct is consistent with church teaching. It’s called freedom of association, a key liberty in any democratic society.” Andrea Williams, director of Christian Concern For Our Nation, also praised the vote. “This is a great day for religious liberty in the UK. We are thankful that the freedom of churches to control their own affairs has not been restricted any further.

“The results show what can happen when Christians pray and take action. Let us be encouraged that even in an increasingly secular society, the voice of the Church can still be heard.” Ms Williams said. The report cautions that Harriet Harman, whose name is attached to the Equality Bill, may yet decide to force the bill through the House of Commons or revert to an EU directive prohibiting discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Source: Christian Today

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U.K. LEADER SAYS FAITH SCHOOLS MUST TEACH HOMOSEXUALITY IS NORMAL

UK Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg says his party (the third largest in the UK) would legislate to legally oblige faith schools to teach that homosexuality is normal and without risk to health. In a magazine interview, Clegg outlined proposals to advance ‘”gay rights”, including forcing all schools to implement anti-homophobia bullying policies and to teach that homosexuality is “normal and harmless.” He also proposed to end the ban on homosexual men being allowed to give blood, and to allow same-sex couples to marry with the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.

Clegg’s proposals were quickly condemned by church leaders. One Anglican bishop said “I think this will go down badly even among those not overtly evangelical. Instituting something that must be taught, come what may, is frighteningly fascist.” Janina Ainsworth, chief education officer for the Church of England, said “Further upheaval of the guidance for sex education would not be welcomed by many schools, church or otherwise,” Norman Wells of the Family Education Trust, said, ”Nick Clegg is totally disregarding the deeply-held views of parents.

The vast majority of parents do not want their children’s schools to promote positive images of homosexual relationships. It is a fundamental principle of education law that children must be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents.” Wells further charged that “Nick Clegg is pushing a radical social agenda which would only cause confusion among vulnerable young people and expose them to increased risks to their physical and emotional health.”

Source: LifeSiteNews.com

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