AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER

* AN INCREDIBLE DAY IN THE HISTORY OF HAITI

* CHURCHES OFFER CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS TO THE PEOPLE OF CHILE

* U.K. MUSLIM LEADER SAYS ISLAM IS NOT A RELIGION OF PEACE

* CHRISTIANS ARRESTED IN IRAN

* EUROPEAN UNION MOVES TO DEFEND PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

* 40,000 HAITIANS HAVE PROFESSED FAITH IN CHRIST SINCE EARTHQUAKE

———————————————–

AN INCREDIBLE DAY IN THE HISTORY OF HAITI

On the one month anniversary of the great Haitian earthquake the Haitian President announced that there would be 3 days of holiday from work for the purpose of fasting and prayer. This was absolutely historic and the first time in Haitian history that such a Presidential decree had been issued. Haitians cried because foreigners could not understand the incredible importance of this day and wanted to go about business as usual. Only about 6 years earlier a former Haitian president called the nation to come together to rededicate the nation to Satan.

This was not “a minute of silence for the deceased”. Whatever the President might have intended, this became a real commitment for the Haitian people. At the beginning of the three day period throngs of well dressed people headed to various churches. The sounds of Christian music and worship filled the air. There was virtually no traffic on the always clogged and overflowing streets of Port-au-Prince. That morning there were only a few vehicles on the roads, a few small buses, some UN and military vehicles, and a few private cars. The same was true of foot traffic.

There were only a few pedestrians in the usually clogged footpaths and many of those were dressed for church. The only place that there were traffic blocks was in front of several churches where the congregations had overflowed the buildings and had moved out into the streets as well. The next observation was that everything was closed! It was difficult to find any businesses or gas stations open. There were no intercity buses running. The huge outdoor market near the wharf where thousands work each day the street, was empty. Where were all the people?

They were in churches and makeshift meeting sites. Every church had services, most overflowing into the streets. Services were held outside the ruins of Churches flattened by the earthquake and in homeless camps. Everywhere the nation was gathered to worship and pray. There were no signs of any voodoo, Islamic, or Buddhist services. One Pastor, Pastor Ignace, asked this question: “Can people still say that Haiti is a voodoo country? Twenty years ago I started praying for the Gospel to change the Haitian culture and I am now seeing God do that work.”

Pastor Ignace went on “What has been happening and is continuing to happen in Haiti did not happen because of the earthquake. It has been happening because the Haitian people know how to pray. “This is a tremendous outpouring of God’s power as the result of prayer. One American observer said “The only sadness that I feel is for our nation. While this nation which has long been under Satan’s domination is turning to God, my nation, founded on Godly values has rejected God and is rapidly trying to forget that His name even exists. Let us pray for revival.

Source: Intercessors Network

———————————————–

CHURCHES OFFER CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS TO THE PEOPLE OF CHILE

The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Tveit, has offered his condolences to the people of Chile, after the powerful earthquake that struck their country. In a letter to the Chilean president, Tveit said, “The World Council of Churches, expresses our deep solidarity with you, the relatives and friends of the victims and the Chilean people. We encourage churches everywhere to join in vigils and special prayers to God. As the Psalmist writes, God is our safety and refuge even when the earth heaves and quakes and the foundations shake”

The earthquake measured 8.8 on the Richter scale and set off tsunami warnings throughout the Pacific including some as far away as Japan. Churches worldwide are already responding to emergency needs through numerous service agencies. “Chile has a pretty strong emergency management system in place and has dealt in the past with a number of catastrophic disasters,” says Donna Derr, emergency response coordinator for Christian World Service. “Most newer housing has been built to withstand earthquakes and there is a strong regional support system in place.”

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet declared a “state of catastrophe” in her country. She said “We’re doing everything we can with all the resources we have.” She announced that nearly 700 people died as a result of the quake. The Red Cross of Chile said some 500,000 homes were severely damaged. The earthquake was one of the five most powerful on record, the most powerful being the 1960 earthquake in Chile which registered 9.5 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake was 700 – 800 times stronger than the recent Haiti earthquake but occurred at a greater depth, almost 35 kms. The Haiti earthquake occurred at a depth of 13 kms and killed more than 212,000 people and left 1 million homeless. A startling report from scientists this week, suggests that the earthquake that hit Chile was so strong and deep that it actually knocked planet Earth off its axis by about 2.7 milliarcseconds (about 8 centimetres). The shift would cause a shortening of each day by 1.26 microseconds. The change to Earth was described as being similar to the spinning of a figure skater, who spins faster and faster as she brings in her arms—the earth actually contracted as a result of the quake, causing it to spin faster on its axis. There was also a shift to Earth’s axis during the 9.1 magnitude earthquake that hit Sumatra in 2004, and although it was a stronger quake, due to the placement and depth of it, the shift to Earth was not as great.

Source: New York Times

———————————————–

U.K. MUSLIM LEADER SAYS ISLAM IS NOT A RELIGION OF PEACE

The Obama administration has released a review of its strategy in the war on terrorism. The report failed to even mention the word “Islam.” Although both George W. Bush and Barack Obama have declared that Islam is a religion of peace. Anjem Choudary a leading UK Muslim radical begs to differ. A Religion of Peace? “You can’t say that Islam is a religion of peace,” Choudary told CBN News. “Because Islam does not mean peace. Islam means submission. So the Muslim is one who submits.”

“There is a place for violence in Islam. There is a place for jihad in Islam.” said Choudary who is the leader of Islam4UK, a group recently banned in Britain under the country’s counter-terrorism laws. He wants Islamic Sharia law to rule the United Kingdom and is working to make that dream a reality. While most Islamic radicals prefer to speak in more moderate tones while in public, masking their true agenda, Choudary has no such inhibitions. He has praised the 9/11 hijackers and has called for the execution of Pope Benedict.

Choudary told CBN News his group is a “non-violent political and ideological movement” Yet he openly praises violent jihad. “The Koran is full of jihad. It is the most talked about duty in the Koran other than tawhid — belief,” he said. Several members of Choudary’s group have been arrested on terrorism charges. “A very significant amount of former al-Muhajiroun people were involved in terrorist plots against this country, A number of people have actually gone to Afghanistan, joined the Taliban and died fighting for the Taliban.”

Choudary refuses to condemn acts of terror including 9/11 and the July 7, 2005 London bombings, which killed 52 people. CBN News asked Choudary for his thoughts on the 7/7 bombings on London’s transport system, and whether he condemned them. “For the people who carried it out, it was legitimate,” he replied. There are many verses from the Koran and many statements to say that it was a legitimate act allowed within the teachings of Islam. There are many Islamic scholars who support that argument as well.”

Choudary says his group is merely following core Islamic teachings and that Islam is much more than a religion.”This particular belief is more than just a religion,” he declared. “It is not just a spiritual belief. It is, in fact, an ideology which you believe in and you struggle for and you are willing even to die for, because you believe in that: That is your whole life.” Choudary seems to relish being called Great Britain’s “most hated man” and pledges to continue his rallies calling for the overthrow of the British system.

Source: CBN News

———————————————–

CHRISTIANS ARRESTED IN IRAN

Rev. Wilson Issavi and eight other Christians were arrested in Iran on February 2, 2010. Although the names of the other Believers have not been released, it has been confirmed that they are still imprisoned and have yet to be charged. Rev. Issavi was visiting a home in Isafahan when it was raided by Iranian security forces. The police took him and eight others who were present into custody. The arrest of Rev. Issavi is a devastating blow to the Iranian Christian community. Rev. Issavi’s church was forcibly closed by the Iranian government just weeks before his arrest.

The Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) called Rev. Issavi’s arrest a “cowardly act” and reported that “security agents swarmed into the house with no arrest warrant or even showing their badges and took him away along with the host and other guests….” The police also confiscated personal belongings. Iranian authorities have refused to provide any explanation and will not comment on the whereabouts or possible charges against those who have been arrested.

“It’s ironic,” writes FCNN, “that in the last two months, while these acts of injustice are allowed and perpetrated against a small, law abiding and praying Christian minority, the Islamic Republic of Iran delegates in the United Nations Human Rights forum… have advocated… that the Christian minority in Iran enjoys full and unequalled freedom and lives in peace!”

Please pray for:

* the immediate release of Rev. Issavi and the other imprisoned Christians. Pray for the LORD Himself to be present with them, comforting, strengthening, providing for, and protecting them from hurt, harm and danger. Pray they will be witnesses to their fellow prisoners and guards, and that the Kingdom of God will be established in the prison.

* the news media around the world to publicize this occurrence. Pray the media will also publicize the fact that Christians are consistently being persecuted in Iran. Pray for Christians in Iran to be encouraged and for the LORD to empower them to endure and overcome this fierce persecution.

* the government of Iran to set free all Christians being held against their will. Pray there will be no backlash or retaliation against the Christians from the government or insurgent groups. Pray for the hearts of the Iranian leaders to be softened and for them to reject Islam and put their faith, hope, and trust in the True and Living God.

Source: Windows International Network

———————————————–

EUROPEAN UNION MOVES TO DEFEND PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

The European Union has established a working group to protect persecuted Christians and prepare a manual for embassies of member states regarding the treatment of persecuted Christian minorities. Italy’s Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, in an interview with Italian’s daily Avvenire said, “We could promote a group of like-minded countries who take to heart the right of Christians to profess their faith anywhere in the world. …You see, Christians have never had a political group offering them strong support through their governments.”

The Foreign Minister also stated that his country will hold an international conference on religious freedom this year and will soon introduce a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly regarding the rights of Christians. Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world, with more than 300 million Christians living in countries where they are persecuted simply because of their faith. Muslim countries are the leading persecutors followed by communist countries. Hindu majority countries such as India also severely persecute Christian minorities.

Source: Intercessors Network

———————————————–

40,000 HAITIANS HAVE PROFESSED FAITH IN CHRIST SINCE EARTHQUAKE

A reported 40,127 Haitians have made professions of faith in Jesus Christ since a major earthquake hit the impoverished nation in January, according to pastors and directors of missions within the Confraternite Missionaire Baptiste d’Haiti (CMBH). “Haiti is ripe for a spiritual movement from God,” said Craig Culbreth, director of Missions for the Florida Baptist Convention. In Haiti’s second largest city, Culbreth said ‘thousands upon thousands filled the streets where people were seeking God and asking Him to spare them from what happened in Port-au-Prince.’”

“For me,” said Culbreth, “it was a New Testament expression of what it looks like when the Spirit of God shows up. I have never seen anything like it.” Many conversions took place during the three days of prayer and fasting called for by the Haitian government during which Dennis Wilbanks, an associate in partnership missions, said “People were in the streets, literally begging God for forgiveness and mercy.”

Source: Baptist Press 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.