Nigeria: Christian action
Christian Association of Nigeria released the names of the abducted students in Chibok. A statement signed by evangelist Matthew Owojaiwe, the President of Old Time Revival Hour, chairman of Northern States Christian and Elders Forum says he believes the reason for the attack on Chibok Girls’ High School is, ‘Chibok Local Government is 90% Christian and the majority of the girls are Christian! Why did Boko Haram visit Chibok Local Government? Why didn’t they visit so many other Local Government girls secondary schools in Borno State?’ CAN has called the Nigerian Church to pray for their release for 15 minutes every time they gather. Owojaiye said. ‘For daughters of Zion taken captive, to be treated as slaves and sold into marriage to unclean people - an abomination has been committed. Raise lamentation to High Heavens. What a shame on the Church of the Living God. Military force may not get them out! Intensive agonising prayer will.’
Russia: Gas supplies 'not guaranteed', EU commissioner warns
A first mediation attempt by the EU between Russia and Ukraine on their gas price dispute on 2nd May in Warsaw ended with no results other than the willingness to meet again. When asked about the atmosphere in the meeting, a spokesperson responded, ‘we are all adults’ and emphasised the willingness of both sides to meet again in mid-May. The core of the current dispute is how much Ukraine owes and has to pay for current and future gas deliveries from Russia. However, with pro-Russian separatists shooting down Ukrainian helicopters and with Vladimir Putin declaring a Geneva peace deal is ‘no longer valid’, the chances of a solution to the gas dispute are low. Ukraine’s energy minister said the doubling of the gas price by Russia was ‘discriminatory’ and ‘abusive’ and that Kiev will take the matter to the international court of arbitration in Stockholm.
Russia: Worldwide church called to prayer
While fears grow that Russia and Ukraine could ignite WWIII, the world also faces unprecedented global financial crises (see item on gas supplies), record-breaking natural disasters and attacks against life, family and religious freedom, a large Christian coalition has been urgently mobilizing a 40 day prayer campaign for peace that began on April 28th to help combat these alarming threats. This grassroots coalition of Catholic and Christian organizations worldwide is mobilising for 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting for Peace. Also May 9th has been declared a ‘Global Day of Prayer and Fasting for Russia’. Christians from the nations are called to pray and fast in one accord, for the blessing of the Russian people around the world. Let us, in the coming days, pray for the Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ to fall upon Russia and all the nations around her.
Russia: Gas supplies 'not guaranteed', EU commissioner warns
A first mediation attempt by the EU between Russia and Ukraine on their gas price dispute on 2nd May in Warsaw ended with no results other than the willingness to meet again. When asked about the atmosphere in the meeting, a spokesperson responded, ‘we are all adults’ and emphasised the willingness of both sides to meet again in mid-May. The core of the current dispute is how much Ukraine owes and has to pay for current and future gas deliveries from Russia. However, with pro-Russian separatists shooting down Ukrainian helicopters and with Vladimir Putin declaring a Geneva peace deal is ‘no longer valid’, the chances of a solution to the gas dispute are low. Ukraine’s energy minister said the doubling of the gas price by Russia was ‘discriminatory’ and ‘abusive’ and that Kiev will take the matter to the international court of arbitration in Stockholm.
