Exloring Life Eternal

Persecution Ranking- 3

PRAISE ITEMS:
* That the United States opened the door for possible direct diplomatic talks with Iran for the first time in over 25 years and Iran has responded fairly positively to a new proposal to reopen negotiations.

* That the Iranian Church is being strengthened as the Global Church is rallying around in daily prayer for them. Thank Father God that for the changes happening in this strategic 10/40 Window country.

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PRAY:
* The persecuted Church in Iran and surrounding 10/40 Window countries. Pray against increasing pressure and intimidation placed on Christians and churches. Pray for Christians to be filled with the Spirit in all boldness (Acts 4:23-31).

* Revival in Iran. Pray for unity among the believers, so that God’s name will be proclaimed throughout the country (Ephesians 3:8-20). Pray for a breakthrough in making disciples of Christ in this nation (Matthew 28:18-20).

* God to intervene in the political situation. Pray for God to save Iranian leaders.

INDONESIAN EARTHQUAKE & CHURCH CLOSURES
The 6.3 magnitude quake of 26 May that hit the city of Yogyakarta in Java, Indonesia, killed over 5,700 people, injured 10,000 and damaged or destroyed over a half million homes and 269 schools. Many residents have also lost their livelihoods. Christian agencies like World Vision are among those that have diverted staff and supplies from tsunami-hit areas to bring relief. Meanwhile, Jubilee Campaign, a UK-based group that monitors children's rights and religious persecution, reports the government has closed more than 150 churches in Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta and the island of Java over past months. Recent legislation has been enacted that could shut down hundreds more across the country. [MISC. sources/HCJB, 9 June'06]

IRANIAN PRESSURE FAILS TO STOP CHURCH GROWTH
Christians around the world remain concerned about Iran's threats against Christianity that has caused many believers to leave the country. However, Sargon Daniali, who lived in Iran for a time, says despite the persecution church growth continues through radio, television and internet evangelism as well as 'political protest.' "Because [Iranians] are upset with Islam, they go on purpose and chose other religions, one of them [is] Christianity." Daniali believes the government oppression continues under Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "They hate Christianity and they are committed to destroying Christianity; to stop Christianity in the country because Christianity is growing." Many Christian Iranians like Daniali who have fled their homeland are now actively involved in evangelism and church planting in other areas. A 40 days of prayer for Iran focus is now on. More information can be found at www.prayforiran.com. [MNN, 8 June '06]

ERITREA: PETITION LAUNCHED
A multi-agency petition has been launched to protest against widespread religious repression in Eritrea and the hundreds of evangelical believers now in prison. The petition is supported by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors, Release International and Release Eritrea and will be handed to the Eritrean Ambassador to the UK, Negasse Sengal. Supporters are encouraged to download the petition from the CSW website www.csw.org.uk

BAPTISTS RESIST REGISTRATION IN KAZAKHSTAN
Following a fine on one of their pastors of more than three times the average monthly salary for leading unregistered religious activities, the Baptist Council of Churches explained their objections to registering their churches in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan. The Baptists regard such registration as "sinful" because it would require them to divulge extensive information about leaders and congregations. Information such as ethnicity, education, family status, political affiliation and "the most acute problems worrying parishioners" create a "web almost impossible to break free of," according to the Baptists. Many council members still recall the trial and imprisonment of many Baptists under Soviet rule for refusing to register. "Many were sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonment and some even ended their days in prison." [FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, 9 June '06]

Saudi Arabia – Pray that the Christian Church would be committed in prayer for those who suffer for their faith in this nation.

Bhutan - Heavenly Father, we pray for safety and encouragement for all those Christians in Bhutan who have converted from Buddhist backgrounds.

Iran - We ask that you, Heavenly Father, would use the Christian Church as a real witness of your love and light to those who persecute your children.

Indonesia - Pray for the safety and release of the three Christian women who were sentenced to three years of imprisonment for allegedly trying to convert Muslim children even though these children attended the women's Sunday School classes with their parent's permission.

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phone: (719) 522-1040
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P.O. Box 49127
Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9127

Printable file with all prayer requests available at:
http://www.prayersquared.org/WeeklyPrayerPoints/wpp050706.swf

UAE - Pray for improved pay and conditions for the many migrant workers from Asia.

Egypt – On 14th April, 2006, extremists armed with knives attacked worshippers in three churches in Alexandria, killing one and wounding others; subsequent inter-communal violence led to the death of one Muslim. Pray for healing for all those affected and a reduction in such tensions.

Western Sahara - Pray that Christians would continue to bear witness to the Prince of Peace amidst the strife around them.

Iran - Pray that all who choose to follow Jesus Christ will know how to live appropriately under the threat of persecution.

Indonesia – Pray that the Indonesian authorities will stop denying Christians the right to build new churches.

WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
P.O. Box 49127
Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9127
USA
email: win@win1040.com
phone: (719) 522-1040
web: http://www.win1040.com

Prayer Alert - Iran
HOUSE CHURCH LEADER MARTYRED: by a group of fanatic Muslims
Iran Ranks 5th in Persecution Ranking

Iranian Christians are asking for prayer following a series of disturbing incidents in their country, including the recent murder of a house church leader.

On November 22, Ghorban Dordi Tourani was arrested from his home in Gonbad-e-Kavus, located in northeastern Iran. A few hours later, Tourani, 53, who converted to Christianity while in prison 22 years ago, was beaten and stabbed to death by an unnamed group of fanatic Muslims, who dumped his body in front of his house.

Not long after Tourani's murder, representatives of Iran's secret police, the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), raided Tourani's home, apparently searching for Bibles and other banned Christian literature in the Farsi language.

...

Over the past month, Ahmadinejad has conducted a broad shake-up within the government establishment, replacing hundreds of governors, ambassadors and senior ministry officials with young and mostly inexperienced Islamists. Recently, students at Tehran University protested when a religious cleric without even a high school diploma was appointed rector of the nation's oldest university.

In November, the new director of prisons also transferred a number of political prisoners of conscience into criminal wards with convicted murderers and drug dealers. At least one of these political prisoners has been killed by fellow inmates, sparking the fears of Iranian Christians for the security of Hamid Pourmand, serving a three-year sentence at Tehran's Evin Prison for refusing to renounce his conversion to Christianity.

Prayer Points
Please pray:
* Tourani's widow and his four children to know the comfort, peace and strength of Jesus. Pray for God's care for Tourani's house church. Pray that his death will bring many to Christ and for his congregation to grow spiritually and to multiply.
* Those detained and beaten by the Ministry of Intelligence and Security to know the LORD's healing, physically and psychologically.
* All Christians across Iran to know the LORD's Psalm 91 protection and deep inner peace now and always. Ask God to deepen the faith, conviction and passion of Iranian Christians who are facing an escalation in incidents of persecution. Pray Psalm 140 over Christian Believers.
* This recent wave of persecution to cease immediately and for God's intervention in Iran.
* The salvation of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, other authorities and members of Iran's secret police.
* The LORD to continue to build His Church in Iran, and raise up anointed pastors to lead it.
* Supernatural growth of house churches to multiply rapidly and for new converts to grow strong in their faith.
* The glory of God will be revealed in unprecedented ways to the people of Iran.
* The LORD of Hosts to crush the forces of darkness in and around Persia (Iran).
* All women in Iran to be protected, equipped, and informed with biblical principles.

Sources: Compass Direct and Jubilee Campaign USA
http://www.win1040.com/