North Korea: danger zone
US citizen Kim Hak-Song, working at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, has been detained on suspicion of hostile acts against the Pyongyang regime. He is the fourth US citizen currently detained in North Korea: Kim Sang Duk has been arrested on the same charge, Otto Warmbier is serving fifteen years of hard labour for removing a political sign, and Kim Dong Chul ten years on espionage charges. Meanwhile North Korea slammed Donald Trump’s decision to dispatch a naval fleet to the Korean peninsula, vowing to reduce the White House to ashes. Also, Iran has attempted to launch a cruise missile from a ‘midget’ submarine based on a North Korean design - the same type that sank a South Korean warship in 2010. The current situation mirrors the disorder prior to the last Korean War. See also
Maldives: rising extremism
Behind the facade of a ‘tropical paradise’ are tragic realities: the highest divorce rate in the world, rising crime, widespread child abuse, pervasive drug use and over 200 young people joining IS. All citizens are required to be Muslim. There are no churches, and there is no official access to God’s Word. The Gospel of Luke and Acts are currently available in Dhivehi, but are not permitted to enter the country. No mission work or Christian literature has ever been legally allowed within the islands. Widespread traditional beliefs in spirits combined with Islam leave many almost entirely untouched by the Gospel, trapped in fear and without access to Jesus. Pray for miraculous opportunities for Maldivians to hear the Gospel, and that the government's attempts to silence it may instead raise up a Maldivian church.
Canada: transgender school play
A Catholic school district in Ontario has cancelled a gender identity play, ‘Boys, Girls and Other Mythological Creatures’ aimed at children aged 5 to 10. The play was booked for five elementary schools, but school officials raised concerns and cancelled the showings. The artistic director said the cancellations were based on misinformation, intolerance, transphobia, homophobia and misogyny. The play centres on an eight-year-old boy, Simon, who believes he’s a girl named Simone. Pope Francis expressed outrage, saying, ‘Today children - children! - are taught in school that everyone can choose his or her sex. And this is terrible!’ See also Prayer Alert British Isles article 7.
USA: Trump disappoints religious conservatives
An executive order by President Trump last week fell short of what many had hoped for and drew widespread criticism. ‘The executive order on the whole looks to accomplish very little of substance, against the backdrop of a lot of show,’ said a professor of law and religion. Trump supporters argued that it was a first step in a multistep process that will lead to accomplishing all religious freedom objectives. Trump did nothing to address conflicts between gay rights advocates and Christian bakers or photographers who do not want to provide services for same-sex weddings.
We believe God’s word to people of prayer is - “Be alert”. We are being instructed to be on constant look out and engage in spiritual warfare. We need to know the enemies tactics – sickness, unbelief, tiredness, lost confidence, broken relationships and fear. We stand with faith and perseverance and take ground from the enemy. We believe that our God is able, that Jesus’ commitment to us is total and the cross is the place of victory. As God’s army we stand together on the alert – not alone.
