Middle East: Palestinian children 'victims of violence'
Palestinian children are attacked by a handful of extremist settlers according to a report on settlement expansion investigating thirty-eight incidents resulting in three dead children and injuries to forty-two others. Continued settlement expansion has impacted the security of the Palestinian children. In eight cases soldiers colluded with the attack by either joining in, turning a blind eye or punishing the victims rather than the perpetrators. Twenty-one of the attacks were carried out in and around the southern city of Hebron and another seven near Nablus in the north - areas where settlers follow extremist ideologies. The study found ‘Israel's failure to enforce the law and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions had created an atmosphere in which settlers enjoy impunity and Palestinians live in fear.’ None of the settlers involved in the violent incidents have been prosecuted. Pray: for an end to all violence in this territory. (Ps.36:6)
USA: Evangelical leader tweets for change
Following the results of the midterm elections, Christians are being urged to pray for their elected leaders. Chuck Colson, the former top aid to President Nixon said, ‘First things first. I will be on my knees, begging God to have mercy on this country and on His Church. And we should pray for our newly elected representatives and senators. Conservative evangelicals and Catholics need to acknowledge that we have no political home.’ Colson cheered on the victories of pro-life candidates: Dan Coates of Indiana and Rand Paul of Kentucky. Dr. Rand Paul said the country had been hit by a ‘Tea Bag tidal wave’ fuelled by angry Americans. In his podcast last week Chuck Colson stated there was room for a religious revolution. Of the parties, Democratic and Republican, Colson praised the Tea Party for attempting to change the culture of Washington. Pray: that the grassroots movement will be directed by God and actioned by men of integrity in America. (Ps.45:4) More: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20101103/evangelical-leader-tweets-for-change-election-night/
Nigeria: Potential ethnic violence flaring
Violence between the the Berom Christians and Hausa Fulani communities flared up in March this year and community leaders in Nigeria's Plateau State are appealing again for calm in villages outside the city of Jos. At least six people - women and children - were killed, cattle slaughtered and homes burned in one village this week. In January and March this year, similar attacks prompted a spiral of rioting and killing in the region that left hundreds of people dead. Leaders in Ranwianku are urging residents not to think of revenge. In one incident an elderly woman, unable to flee the armed gang, was killed along with a young mother and four small children. Ranwianku is a predominantly Christian settlement. The attackers spoke the Fulani language. Pray: that the two communities would learn to love their neighbour and live together peacefully. (Mt.6:12-13)
Vietnam: Crackdown on Christians
Since August thousands of armed soldiers, police and security forces have been trying to ‘wipe out’ Christians who refuse to join a state-approved church. The security forces have been ‘strategically placed’ to watch Christians in 23 villages in Vietnam's mountainous Gia Lai province to ensure no one is still worshipping God or attending an independent church for worship. The security police are ordered to arrest, torture and send to prison any one who violates this religious law. There was no immediate comment from Vietnamese officials, but the Foreign Ministry has in the past denied reports of wrongdoing. Vietnam's Communist government allows Christians to join the official Evangelical Church of Vietnam but many Degar Christians prefer to worship in house churches.‘The Vietnamese government has created a new religion and built a new church but it is not religion and church that we need.’ said a local Christian. Pray: for Vietnamese Christians to have the right to worship Jesus Christ in the church of their hearts.(Jn.4:23)
