Please pray for Christian refugees from Syria in Lebanon

Peanut Gallery: Please continue to pray for displaced Syrian Christians… now finding refuge in Lebanon. The article below tells their story.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” Hebrews 13.1-3 NLT

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the same compassion that you feel for strangers and refugees close to me… or far away. I remember especially today refugees from Syria. Use your people to feed them, clothe them, shelter them… and above all to love them. I ask it in your name.

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Bishop Expects Massive Influx Of Christian Refugees From Syria, Lebanon

Thursday, October 25, 2012 – By BosNewsLife Middle East Service
with additional reporting by BosNewsLife’s Stefan J. Bos

BEIRUT, LEBANON (BosNewsLife)– The Bishop responsible for Maronite Christians in Europe warned the Western world Thursday, October 25, that recent deadly attacks in Christian districts of Beirut and Damascus could “unleash” a massive “new wave” of Christian refugees.

In remarks published by the ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ (ACN) group, Bishop Maroun Nasser Gemayel said Christians in the Middle East were longing for freedom and security and could therefore “be tempted to emigrate” to Europe or the United States, “despite their great love of their homeland.”

Bishop Gemayel said the situation in Syria’s capital Damascus already was dramatic, and “now many, including those in [Lebanon’s capital] Beirut, will believe that they can no longer live in safety even in the Christian quarters” despite their “great love of their homeland.”

Anti-Christian attacks last Friday, October 19 in Beirut and on Sunday, October 21, in Syria’s capital Damascus killed Continue reading “Please pray for Christian refugees from Syria in Lebanon” →

Prepare now for “International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted 2012”

Peanut Gallery: Persecution.org has provided online resources for remembering Presecuted Christians around the World. Resource kits and Bulletin Inserts are available for church or personal use. Nov 11th is the target date but any Sunday will work.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

Please consider how you can help your circle of influence become more aware of the Persecuted Church. See article below.

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted 2012

Get resources to observe a day of remembrance on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted (November 11) or any time you want!

Every year, ICC produces prayer bulletins to help your church observe a “Day of Remembrance” for the persecuted. Most churches observe this on IDOP (International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted), which is held on the second Sunday in November, but it can be held any time. In fact, our bulletins are produced in such a way that they aren’t date specific so your church can observe a “Day of Remembrance” on November 11 or July 21…it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you take the time to educate your congregation about the plight of their persecuted brothers and sisters.

Resource Kits

In addition to prayer bulletins, we also have a CD “Resource Kit” that we’ve packed with information, presentations, and videos about the persecuted church. Pastors and church staff can call us (1-800-422-5441) to receive a free kit as long as we can ship it to a valid church address. The cost for all others is just $5.

Prayer Bulletin Inserts

This year, ICC is providing a free PDF for your congregation or small group to become better informed about the persecution that faces your brothers and sisters around the world. Just right-click on the image of the cover at left and choose “save link as” to download the flyer. If you left-click on the cover, click on the down arrow next to the “full screen” option in the far upper left corner of the viewer that appears to download and print the document as a standard PDF. When printing, please designate “booklet” to format correctly.

Song: “Say a Prayer for Me”

“Say a Prayer for Me” is a song written by Rhonda Daeumer to help inspire others to pray for the persecuted church. It is free for certain use, according to the following terms, and we hope it will bless you as you prepare for your day of prayer for the persecuted! Download.

Morning Reading: Luke 12.8-9,11-12 NLT

“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels….”

“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” Luke 12.8-9,11-12 NLT

Please pray for Nigerian Christians – Christians Targeted in Nigerian Student Massacre in Mubi

Peanut Gallery: It’s hard for me to imagine what life is like for persecuted Christians around the world. I’ve always enjoyed second amendment rights – freedom of speech and religion – which enabled me to share my faith freely… and openly. No one has ever wanted to kill me, or put me in jail for my beliefs.

Not so with millions of Christians around the world.

My purpose in posting, re: persecuted Christians/Church, is to enlarge my perspective in understanding and prayer… and in the process, perhaps yours as well.

This report of murder and mayhem in Nigeria is bad enough when we read about that night of terror. But it’s brought home personally when we read the names of the specific 25 known students killed and the 5 who escaped.

As you pray, please read aloud each of the names and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer…. And ask God to use this evil act for good – whether we can see, or understand, it or not.

“And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:27-28

Prayer: Father, we bring before You these 25 people who were killed in the Mubi massacre. You know each name; You wept over the trauma they sustained. Those who followed You in this life You have drawn into Your very presence. We weep today for their families, for those who were injured and saw friends killed before their very eyes, for those who cannot dispel the memories of that night. Replace the memories with a vision of Christ who is present with them. Comfort them, and give them courage to serve You each day, that even in the midst of the evil and darkness around them, You will be honored and glorified by their lives. In the name of Jesus who is our strength in the midst of our own weakness.

Those killed in the attack included:
1. Sebastine Bulus(Christian)
2. Ishaku Joshua (Christian)
3. James Joshua (Christian)
4. Lucky Emmanuel (Christian)
5. Irmiya Yohana (Christian)
6. Adamu Dakkawa (Christian)
7. Yunana Idris (Christian)
8. Amsel Idris (Christian) Continue reading “Please pray for Nigerian Christians – Christians Targeted in Nigerian Student Massacre in Mubi” →

Please pray for believers in Nairobi – Nairobi church stands strong after grenade kills boy, injures others

Peanut Gallery: Please pray for believers in Nairobi. This report from Kenya personalizes the fear that many believers feel just thinking about going to church on any given Sunday.

Nairobi church stands strong after grenade kills boy, injures others (Compass Direct) See full article below –

Would you attend church or stay home under these circumstances? With kids, it’s an even tougher choice.

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6.13 NLT

Please pray for courage and protection of believers in Kenya… and for the people and church leaders mentioned in this report:

John Ian Maina (age 9) Killed in Attack
Jane and Patrick Maina, John’s Parents
Sally Gatei, Sunday School Teacher and Parent
Paul Muigai, Church Usher
Maureen Mwangi, (child) Survivor of Attack
Maureen Mwangi’s Brother, (child) Sustained Serious Injuries
Jackline Nduku, Parent of Injured Child
Archbishop Wabukala, Anglican Church of Kenya
Bishop Joel Waweru, Nairobi Diocese
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, Member of Parliament for Starehe
Rev. Steve Shisia, Pastor St Polycarp’s Anglican Church

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Nairobi church stands strong after grenade kills boy, injures others

‘What if it’s this Sunday?’ questioned congregation, yet did not give into fear

Nairobi, October 11 (Open Doors News) — “Every week we wondered ‘What if it’s this week?’ Yet every week we turned up for church.”

Speaking to Open Doors News just after her Oct. 9 return from the funeral of 9-year-old John Ian Maina, Nairobi Sunday School teacher Sally Gatei was in reflective mood. “I told the team I didn’t need counselling, but I’d not been back to the building for a few days, since it happened. When I did go back to the church, my heart was pounding. You think ‘You’re alright, you’re strong,’ but I am going to get some counselling now.”

Gatei was in the room when a grenade exploded at about 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 30 at St. Polycarp, of the Anglican Church of Kenya, on the Juja Road in Nairobi. The explosion killed the boy and injured eight other children. Sally’s own son had been in there, too, only three minutes before.

“The most amazing thing, though, is that, although we thought we should cancel Sunday school the next Sunday, most children insisted we should meet as usual, even though the room had not yet been repaired!” Continue reading “Please pray for believers in Nairobi – Nairobi church stands strong after grenade kills boy, injures others” →