Exloring Life Eternal

What involuntary hospitalization is & How it felt like persecution:

Simply put, it is when the law is concerned that you are disturbing the peace and so they hospitalize the person against their will.

Not that I went kicking and screaming, the police just provided an escort and try to keep neighborhoods and office buildings free of roaming strangers. If I don't shave for a few days and get dirty and kind of hunker over, I can make a good imitation of a homeless person, but I didn't do that. I was just trying my best to share the gospel. Some would say it was without the Spirit, some would say it was with the
Spirit. All I know, is that my intent was not to scare anyone or disturb anyone's peace or ruin any concentration, I was just seeking to testify to the grace of God ... then people got a little disturbed.

There have been times I intentionally acted out of ordinary and disturbed people in sharing the simple Gospel and they fled from me, but it seemed to have more to do with
them avoiding the responsibility to face Christ. Also, I have escorted Jehovah Witnesses out of the apartment complex. But even the JW's remarked that I was "tranquil" ... despite being on low medicine dosages.

Lessons I learned, despite the "suffering" of the insults and questionings and mockery:

1. Be wise in dealing with children ... keep parents informed if you teach them the Bible and let kids play with kids. It is culturally inappropriate to talk to them without the consent of their parents. (I am thankful that
I don't have to go to elementary school to become as a child repeatedly to enjoy the Kingdom of God.)

2. Be wise at church ... keep your amens and convictions to yourself and endure poor teaching and repetitive worship if you must. It is culturally inappropriate to communicate agreement or disagreement with the man behind the pulpit. (I am thankful that Jesus is still the Head of the Church.)

3. Be wise at office buildings ... scheduled appointments are much less intimidating to physicians than an impromptu witness. It is culturally inappropriate to visit a physician without first making an appointment. (I'm glad that the Great Physician does house calls still!)

Until the patient who is "involuntarily hospitalized" has a hearing in court or consents to "treatment" (basically, expresses a willingness to take medicine & work with the program), they are held involuntarily. Because I ended up in the hospital more than once in a short period of time & they didn't believe that I was taking my medication (which I was)
and they didn't want me to stay awake at home.

Ironically, my sleep is as disturbed now as it was before, though I sleep in after the morning medicines now as I am adjusting & feeling a little less motivated. But Sheila
likes the "new" mert (sedated with medication & very lazy, okay, she doesn't like the lazy part, but then again who does?). I personally believe that it was God's will that I
be hospitalized and be harrassed by some fellow residents and deal with the hospital system. My faith grew and I was encouraged that even with the inconvenience of not being
able to doing the Lord's work on the outsie, the Lord opened up numerous opportunities to share the message of Christ, even though the official policy is "no attempts to convert
anyone allowed."

Hope that helps.

By the way, the hospital entertainment: going on walks outside the building, making silly crafts, watching TV, going to 'groups,' pacing the halls is sort of like the jail that I was in when I visited those in jail, only more staff and carpet and better decor.

BTW: I received this week notice of court order declaring that I am legally incapacitated from obtaining a license. At first I thought it was talking about a license to drive since the state police issued it, I felt odd about that. As I read the odd print later, it was about a license to obtain a firearm or a license to carry a concealed firearm. HA-HA-HA! I didn't want to get a gun anyways! I will only be able to shoot pictures from now on, no guns in the house! Dad never was for guns anyways, I guess I have no choice but being the same way in that regard.

Another funny thing, the second time I went to the hospital, I received paperwork indicating "no possessions." I think I might frame that. It is like saying, Mert, you are poor, dirt poor, you have NOTHING! Ha-ha, Ho-ho! But the Lord is our inheritance, kinda like the Levites and the third order Franciscans. :-)

Peace in Christ,
Mert Hershberger

"Do good to all people, especially believer, because in this way you will reap a harvest if you just don't quit." Galatians 6:10

PRAISE
We are thankful for the long day a tentmaking family had with "Samantha" recently. She came to faith several months ago and has endured extensive rejection and persecution from her family. She however has chosen to stay in her home and continue to relate to her family "to feed Jesus to them" as she says. She is staying strong in her faith and is a great encouragement to other MBBs in her community of friends.

Petition:
The 15th Asian Games are being hosted by Qatar starting December 1, 2006 for 2 weeks. Pray for the interactions among believing volunteers/staff and the games participants particularly those from Muslim countries.

Pray for Taxi Drivers (that have been hired for this event) who will be the chauffeurs for a specific VIP during the games. We are asking God to bring Christians into these positions. Pray for fruitful one-on-one interaction with the most influential people coming to the games.

Pray for Christian businessmen who have mentoring relationships with National Arab businessmen in our developing country. The local men admire the skill and knowledge of the Christian businessmen; pray for
opportunities to share the message of the gospel in context to these men.

Pray for the young MBB woman from a neighboring country that is looking for work. She is getting discouraged, but still looking to God for her provision. Pray for the young couple that is providing her accommodation and love.

Pray for "M" an expatriate Arab Muslim living in our fast growing, cosmopolitan city. He has had many discussions with several tentmakers and is wrestling with the person of Jesus and the Truth He presents. Pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in his life.

TESTIMONY:
Salem was raised in the most conservative country in the Arabian Peninsula. He was a faithful follower of Islam until his late teens. He was given a book that compared the teachings of the Qu'ran and the Bible. He found that there was great truth in the Bible passages in the booklet. He suddenly realized that the wonderfully friendly Subcontinent man who worked in the grocery store near his home was a Christian - he was different. So he asked him the next day "Are you a Christian?" The Indian man said yes and began to encourage Salem to read his Bible passages. Eventually, this Indian man gave Salem a complete Arabic New Testament. Salem couldnt read it fast enough. He read it over and over and over and the more he read, the more he believed in Jesus.

Eventually his family found out about his faith and forced him to go to Mecca to perform the Hajj. He hated every minute of his time there and proclaimed to his family even more about his faith in Jesus. He was forced to leave the country because he refused gifts of money, gold, fast cars and friends in lieu of following the truth Jesus.

He now lives in another Arab country where he has been cared for by a group of Arab believing families. He has a vision to reach his home country and to share firstly with his father. Pray for a breakthrough with his father.

* AP = Arabian Peninsula
+ MBB = Muslim Backround Believer
<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray with a heart filled with the "Seed-of-Laughter" for heirs of the woman who found that "God-Sees-and-Hears-Me" so that biblical church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write MertH.:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

SAUDI ARABIA : POLICE ARREST FOUR EAST AFRICAN CHRISTIANS
Detainees held at Jeddah’s deportation jail.
June 15 (Compass Direct) – Ten Saudi Arabian police armed with wooden clubs raided a private Christian worship meeting in the coastal city of Jeddah on June 9, arresting four East African citizens leading the service. At press time the two Ethiopian and two Eritrean Christians remained in the city’s deportation jail.

http://www.compassdirect.org/en/lead.php

URGENT NOTICE FOR PRAYER AND ACTION:
[Received from source inside Bhutan requesting publication for prayer and assistance]

We have been praying for these two brothers who were arrested in Bhutan January 8th 2006 in Ha western part of Bhutan. They were imprisoned without trial till now and suddenly they are sentenced for 3 years. They are given the provision of ten days for within which they are appeal to the court for bail and then fight the case with the help of prominent lawyer. In Bhutan govt is always right we are always wrong. So there is very little chance of winning the case unless there is intervention from high. So they need your urgent prayer.

In my previous mail I have asked you all not to publicize in media. But I got a call from Bhutan that those two brothers in prison has requested us to publicize media for international attention. So if you have access to media please let them know what is going on in Bhutan. If you need any further information you can contact me.

S. T.

As we all know about Benjamin and John Dai, they have been declared for three and half and then three years of imprisonment respectively.

They are given the provision of ten days for within which they are appeal to the court for bail and then fight the case with the help of prominent lawyer. The need is very much urgent. They are very much seeking the helps of organizations like Amnesty International or so.

Our previous actions were for prayer request for the victims, now the time has come for an action; an action to do something to reach the government by the prominent people. Their families have laid this request so I am doing this. So let’s help.

ACTION:
PLEASE PRAY:
1) God would intervene on their behalf and grant justice and mercy. Pray for God to bring forward a skilled attorney to represent them and people who can assist in pleading their case before the government.

2) Peace for themselves and their families and provision for all their needs. Pray also for protection from mistreatment for both them and their families as well.

3) God to use this as a means of uniting the body of Christ together to stand with our brothers in this time of need for His glory.

Intercessors are needed to stand in the gap for Saudi Arabia, which was again recently designated as a ‘‘country of particular concern’’ for its ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom by the U. S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USIRF).

The document, released May 3, 2006, reported that the government of Saudi Arabia continues to enforce vigorously its ban on all forms of public religious expression other than the government’s interpretation of the Hanbali school of Sunni Islam.

Additionally, according to Open Doors International, Saudi Arabia holds the second spot on the list for the fourth year in a row on the 2006 World Watch List of nations where persecution against Christians is most intense.

Religious freedom does not exist in Saudi Arabia where citizens are allowed to adhere to only one religion— the officially recognized Wahhabi form of Sunni Islam. No legal protection is provided for freedom of religion; neither does this protection exist in practice. The legal system is based on Islamic law (Shariah). Apostasy—conversion to another religion—is punishable by death.

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"Mother, wait ‘til you hear the things my teacher told us about Christianity today,” Sameh said, as he walked in the front door. “Christianity!” Her voice was sharp. “What was he doing talking about that? What a disgrace!” His mother’s reaction made Sameh more curious. “But how will I learn about other religions, if not in school?” he asked.

“You do not need to know about those religions,” his mother scolded. “You are a Muslim just as your father is, and your grandfather and great-grandfather were before him. The less you know about those false teachings, the better. In fact, we will make sure you never hear of this in school again!” Sameh didn’t understand why his parents wanted to hide these things. Even the government would not allow libraries to have the holy books of other religions. Some day I will study in Europe, he thought, and I will learn all the things that are now hidden from me.

A young person like Sameh, growing up in the country of Saudi Arabia, doesn’t usually learn about any religion but his own. Recently, a high school chemistry teacher named Muhammad al-Harbi, talked to his students about Christianity and Judaism. He was accused of putting doubtful thoughts into the minds of children about their own religion. He was sentenced to 750 lashes, 50 a week for 15 weeks, and sent to prison for three years.

For the full newsletter (which includes news on Libya and Sudan as well, visit:
http://www.prayersquared.org/WINEmailNews/WINEmailNewsJune2006.swf

UK: HARD FACTS
*100,000 children a year run away from broken homes.
*41% of all children born in the UK are to unmarried couples.
*The UK has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe.
*Over the last 35 years, an average of 1 abortion has been legally carried out every three minutes, 80% funded by the National Health Service.
*Each year 140,000 people attempt suicide and 4,000 children every day call the Childline.
*24 million anti-depressant prescription items are issued each year.
*Regular annual drug users: 5 million use cannabis, 3.4 million ecstasy, 2 million amphetamines and cocaine.
*British Telecom blocks 20,000 attempts per day of people trying to watch pornographic acts with children on the internet.
*Program sex scenes on British TV have increased 300% in the last 5 years.
*At peak times, 8 out of 10 admissions to Emergency Rooms are a result of drinking, costing the UK £12 billion a year.
*60 million acts of crime take place annually.
*380,000 people are living on British streets.
REPORTED IN AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER, compiled from various sources]

ISRAEL TO RECEIVE CHRISTIAN TV STATION
Daystar Television Network announced a new contract allowing them to become the first TV channel to broadcast 100 percent Christian programming into every home in Israel. Daystar, which owns and operates 50 US television stations, is excited about the opportunity. President Marcus D. Lamb commented on the pioneering project saying, "Up until now, it has either been illegal, impossible, or impractical. The message of the Gospel will now be going into every home in Israel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. This is a moment in time that we will always remember." The contract came after a year of negotiations and a six-month trial period featuring popular shows "Celebration" and "The Joni Show." Daystar's global purpose is to reach as many people with the good news of the Gospel through an extensive blend of interdenominational and multi-cultural programming. [ASSIST, 9 May '06]


200,000 IMPRISONED NORTH KOREAN CHRISTIANS
Rev. Carl Moeller, president of the persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA, says an estimated 200,000 Christians are imprisoned in North Korean labor camps where many face torture and execution. Escapees testified in April at congressional hearings and demonstrations in Washington as part of North Korea Freedom Week. The goal was to appeal for prayer and international pressure on the communist regime. For the fourth year in a row, Open Doors has ranked North Korea as the worst violator of religious rights in the world. Moeller calls it "one large concentration camp with the entire population trapped in a nightmare that doesn't end." [AGAPE, 28
April'06/Associated Press]

TOP RELIGIOUS PERSECUTORS
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has released its 2006 report naming the world's most severe persecutors of religious followers. The U.S. State Department uses the panel's recommendations to establish "counties of particular concern" (CPCs) in the area of religious freedom. Retained from last year's list of CPCs are Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Vietnam. Additionally, the panel repeated recommendation that Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan be designated CPCs, despite Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's refusal to include those countries in a State Department report in November. A "watch
list" of additional religious persecutors included Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia and Nigeria. The panel continues to analyze reports from India, Russia and Sri Lanka as well. [BAPTIST PRESS, HCJB 12 May '06]

RESOURCES:
BRIGHT IDEAS for getting kids into missions:
http://www.wycliffe.org/catalog/BrightIdeas/home.htm

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY site to equip leaders:
http://www.reach-out.org

PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS:
Recent headlines and media resources, updated almost daily:
http://www.christianmonitor.org/

************************************************************
NEWS BYTES is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of OM News & Information [OMNI] in London, England. Material may be freely copied and circulated. Items do not necessarily reflect OM position and questions should be directed to the original news source. Html version can be found on www.om.org. Please do not hit "reply" to this email as subscriptions are automated. For a free e-mail subscription send a message to:
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May 8, 2006

Peter said to Jesus, “You must never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” – John 13:8

PRAISE:
We are so thankful that suitable housing has been found with a young believing couple for an MBB from the region living here. He was going to be living in a house without some mature Christians to disciple him.

PETITION
Pray for MBBs to have faith and trust in God’s way as they face all kinds of trials and persecutions. Pray that their desire to follow Jesus would be strengthened.

Pray for Christians living in remote regions. Pray for opportunities to meet with other believers. Pray for God to encourage them and bless them in their work. Pray for them to be envisioned to reach out to their friends, employers and work colleagues in the name of Christ with all kinds of loving deeds and expressions of God's truth.

A couple new to our city has moved into a neighborhood with local neighbors. This is not common in our city. It is not easy to find housing in local neighborhoods. Please pray that God will give them opportunities to show God's love to their neighbors and to share the truths of kingdom life with them as well.

Please keep praying for healing for a key tentmaker’s 7 year old son’s left eye. His vision is improving but it still has a long way to go. May God be glorified through the healing.

Please pray for two young women here who have expressed great interest, and then been heavily bombarded with opposition to the point of discouraging them from continuing to seek truth. Pray God's protection on His little lambs, & His enabling them to hear & follow their Shepherd in spite of all efforts to hinder them.


TESTIMONY
Sandra was horrified! She protested loudly and said this was too low of a thing to do. She also made it clear that we just did not understand her culture. On the contrary, we did. Jesus was a Middle Easterner and he understood exactly how offensive this act of service was for his disciples.

Samantha, the daughter of Sandra's uncle and the newest in the faith, upon hearing of how Jesus had washed his disciples’ feet during the last supper, suggested that we do the same. Sandra did not like the idea, to put it mildly.

Sharon, along with teammate Joy and another co-worker, Shirin, had gathered for an Easter celebration with Sandra, her daughter Melanie and her cousin Samantha, all of whom are Muslims who are now actively following Jesus. They spent the evening reading Luke 22-24.

The foot washing had not been in our plans but we were happy to do it. Once we reached that part of the story, Samantha got up, wrapped a towel around her waist and started to wash Joy's feet. Sandra was so upset that both she and Melanie refused to have their feet washed.

Sandra had read this passage before, but it came to life in a new way that night. Jesus' words to Peter broke through. Would Jesus really have nothing to do with her if she refused? Sandra understood the symbolism of servant-hood but struggled with the physical action of allowing her younger relative actually to do it. Melanie relented and allowed Samantha to continue. Sandra finally stood up, dipped her feet in the bowl and allowed Samantha to dry them off.

The week leading up to Easter had been especially tough for Sandra's daughter Melanie. She had doubted her new faith and almost did not come.

As we looked at Peter's claim that he would never leave Jesus, only to deny him later that evening, and Jesus' love for him through it all, Melanie heart broke. Despite her hard heart towards Jesus that week, she had received many blessings. She could not understand why that would happen. In Islam, she has feared God her whole life. She was always afraid of punishment. She could not believe that God still loved her and that He would still bless her even when she was not faithful.

The evening as a whole was incredible. Sharon felt it was her best Easter celebration ever and when shared with a trio of local believers who all endured tremendous opposition in the days and hours before the meeting, the event was nothing short of miraculous. It is such a privilege to be a part of God's team here.

Somalia is number 7 on Persecution List)

Prayer is needed for Christian Believers in Somalia as anti-Christian violence spreads throughout the mainly Islamic, impoverished African nation.

Most Somalis, more than 99.5 percent, are Muslims who regard Christianity as a foreign religion of their historic enemies in Ethiopia and Italians and the British, who colonized the nation.

There is a generally held view that all Somalis are Muslim, so any Somali Christian is viewed as an apostate who is worthy of death. In the initial chaos following the collapse of the dictatorship of Siad
Barre in 1991, Somali Christians were hunted down, pastors were murdered and the Christian Church in Somalia was driven deeply underground.

According to Open Doors International, Somalia is ranked seventh on the 2006 World Watch List of nations where persecution against Christians is most intense. Over the years, several Somali Christians have ed to Kenya, where they hoped to be free to practice their faith. Instead they have continued to suffer severe harassment, both from Somali Muslim refugees and from Kenya’s own Somali population. Under Kenyan law, refugees are denied employment, yet they receive minimal assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Once Somali refugees are identied as Christians, they are frequently attacked on the streets or in their homes, and in the most severe instances their children are abducted and forcibly circumcised and reconverted to Islam.

Abdi Aziz and his wife, Rukia, are Somali Christians who have suffered great persecution on account of their faith in Christ and ed with their children to Kenya. On January 20, 2006, a group of Muslims followed Aziz to his home in the predominantly Muslim suburb of Eastleigh in Nairobi after he had visited the ofces of the UNHCR.

They ransacked his house, stole all of his ofcial documents and kidnapped two of his children, a boy named Sharmarke and a girl called Nadar. The family  led complaints with the appropriate Kenyan authorities, but nothing has been seen or heard of the children since. Then on March 17, 2006, the family was again attacked in their home and another of their children, Bashir, was abducted. The couple again reported the incident to the appropriate authorities, but they are not con dent that any real assistance will be forthcoming.

Following the most recent abduction, Aziz told Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW): “Almost every time, we are in a dangerous situation, but our prayers keep us strong for we believe in Jesus, our Savior and Lord.” Aziz’s case is not unique. Unfortunately, Somali Christians seeking refuge in Kenya rarely nd it.

During a recent visit to the area, CSW received harrowing testimonies from refugees, many of whom reported having been stoned, beaten, attacked with knives, insulted in the streets and harassed in their homes on a regular basis. Muslim relatives often instigate assaults. Halima, a widow, reported that three of her eight children had been abducted by relatives and returned to Somalia, where they were forcibly circumcised and compelled to study in Madrassas, or Islamic schools.

Hassan, a teenager, described how two of his cousins assaulted him with knives on the streets of Eastleigh on February 12, 2006. He has to sleep in a different place every night, but Hassan added: “I believe that my Lord will protect me.”

Several Islamist groups have spearheaded the campaign against Christianity. However, according to local sources, the most dangerous are Al-Itihad and Al-Islah. Both groups were behind the creation of Shariah courts in the capital city, Mogadishu, and are believed to have links with Al-Qaeda. CSW encouraged Christians worldwide to write polite letters to the Kenyan ambassador, bringing to his attention the plight of Somali Christians refugees in Kenya, and outlining the abuses they encounter and the child abductions.

Citizens of the United Kingdom can address their letters to:
His Excellency Joseph Muchemi
High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
The Kenya High Commission
45 Portland Place
London W1B 1AS

“Remind the Kenyan ambassador of Kenya’s obligations under international law towards refugees within its borders and request that he kindly uses his of ce to highlight these issues with the appropriate authorities in order to ensure that cases of abduction, assault and harassment are thoroughly investigated, the perpetrators are punished, and Somali Christians receive adequate protection as a matter of urgency,” CSW said. “However, in your letter please do not mention individual Somali Christians by name.”

Pray for:
* Abdi Aziz and his wife, Rukia. They have suffered great persecution since eeing to Kenya, three of their children have been kidnapped and smuggled back to Somalia. Ask God to comfort, strengthen and deliver them from further attacks and abductions. Pray that their abducted children would know God’s protection, peace and ncouragement and that they would soon be reunited with their parents and siblings.

* Kenyan authorities to move decisively to ensure the swift return of these and other abducted children and pray that they would also take rm action against those who harass or attack Somali Christian refugees.

* Somali Christians who are viewed as apostates by some militant Muslims. These Believers are targeted for persecution and many times put to death. Pray that God would supernaturally protect and sustain them as they face extreme persecution. Pray also for protection and a place of safety for Somali Christians and for Hassan in particular, who is in imminent danger.

* Christians who are still in Somalia, who have been driven underground because of extreme opposition towards them. Ask God to give them great courage and wisdom. Pray also for their protection and deliverance, and for the brave Christians who are still willing to risk their lives by openly declaring their faith.

* The Somali government to allow freedom for other religions besides Islam. The LORD to save militant Muslims who are targeting Christians. Ask God to soften their hearts to the Gospel.

Sourced: Barnabas Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors International

WINDOW KIDS: Somalia
PRAYER ALERT: SOMALIA

As a small child, Ilhan was smuggled out of Somalia as at the height of war between the clans. Her father and two sisters were killed, but she left behind her mother and brother when she was taken out of the country. Ilhan was one of the fortunate who found a good home in Sweden. Still, she misses her mother and brother, and someday hopes to return to Somalia.

Somali parents pay smugglers up to $10,000 to take their children abroad. Faced with desperate choices, many parents who see no future in their country allow their children to be abandoned by “agents” at airports and rail-road stations in Europe and North America.

These separated children, some as young as three years are given a false identity and history. Some are cared for by relatives, but others become crime victims. Many Somali parents feel this is a better choice than staying in Somalia, perhaps being killed in the civil wars, starving, or dying from lack of health care.

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The website which the above info was cut&pasted has a printable prayer sheet for you to share with family & friends. It includes info on a cookbook for kids to pray for the 10/40 Window.
http://www.prayersquared.org/WINEmailNews/WINEmailNewsMay2006.swf

I commend to you:
WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
PO Box 49127
Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9127
email: win@win1040.com
web: http://www.win1040.com

Algeria - A new law was passed on March 20, 2006 concerning the regulation of Christian worship, the effects of which are not yet clear. Pray for national Christians to stand firm in faith and unity and that the spread of the Gospel will not be hindered.

Jordan – We pray that the government’s anti-terror crackdown will not come at the expense of civil liberties.

Libya – Pray that the general changes within the country motivated by increasing international trade will lead to greater acceptance and better treatment for Christians.

Oman - Pray for strength, courage, and hope for Christian Believers who have been excluded from families because of following Jesus Christ.

Tunisia - Pray that Tunisian society will accept more openly the existence of Tunisian Christians, thereby reducing the pressure on new Believers from their extended families.

Chad – Thank you LORD that under the current government, Christians in Chad have relative freedom to worship you. As army defectors based in Darfur and backed by northern Sudanese authorities threaten to bring chaos to the country, we pray for peace to prevail.

Somalia - Somalia has recently been ranked as the fourth worst country in the world for the persecution of Christians. LORD, protect your people, particularly as many of them face being ostracized or even attacked by their own families for their faith.

Israel - Pray for acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, that he will lead the country wisely and promote justice for all.

Djibouti - LORD, we pray for Christians in Djibouti that they would be a good witness. We pray that you would protect them from those who would oppose them.

Yemen - Pray for the protection of Christians in a country with many ethnic/tribal tensions.

Bahrain - Pray for greater acceptance of religious choice in society and a reduction in family pressure against those who choose to follow Jesus.

Lebanon - Give thanks for positive across- party political discussions in March and pray for a greater sense of national unity and mutual support.

Qatar - Pray for the provision of gifted expatriate pastors for all fellowships, and that neither they nor key lay leaders will be deported for no good reason.

Ethiopia - Please pray for the peace of Ethiopia. During the Epiphany celebrations in January the government again used live ammunition on a crowd in Addis Ababa that denounced the head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church for being too close to Ethiopia's ruling party. Pray for righteousness in government and a swift, free, and fair trial.

For More information, go to:
www.win1040.com

INJUSTICE!!
Muslims rebel against Quran.
Muslims kidnap - a capital punishment, according to the Law.
Egyptian Muslims must change this way or be called into account by God!
Egyptian Muslims must turn to the Lord Jesus or else they will miss His mercy.

= Mert Hershberger

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EGYPT - COPT FINDS MISSING SISTER IN MUSLIM HOME
from: Compass Direct (http://www.compassdirect.org)
March 31,
2006

Following a three-month search, an Egyptian Christian has discovered his missing sister living with a Muslim family near her home town and professing faith in Islam.

Spurred by a brief telephone message from Theresa Ghattass Kamal saying that she was being held against her will and forced to convert to Islam, Sa'eed Ghattass Kamal last week tracked his sister’s suspected captors to the Bedouin desert area of El-Ga'ar, near his home in Wadi El-Natroun, 50 miles northwest of Cairo.

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INJUSTICE!!

Full story with pictures:
http://www.compassdirect.org/en/newslongen.php?idelement=4279

North Korea - LORD, we commit the Prayer for North Korea website to you www.prayfornorthkorea.org, which is to be launched very shortly. We ask that your Spirit would be at work through this resource and that change would come to North Korea.

== Pakistan - Pray for an end to the escalating violent attacks against Christians in Pakistan, which have recently gotten even worse because of the Danish cartoons controversy. Pray for their protection and the growth of their community and that God will provide for those Christians who have lost their houses or other property in the anti-Christian violence.
== Nigeria - We pray for Christians who have been attacked and the families of those who were killed in riots organized in protest of the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. We ask you to intervene in this situation and to bring your peace and justice.

Tibet – Pray for a great expansion of religious freedom for Christians in Tibet.

East Timor - We continue to pray for Christians in East Timor particularly in the light of the ongoing post conflict reconstruction. Pray that the Christian Church would have an important role to play, that they would have divine wisdom, love, and unity, that it may glorify your name and lead others to you.

"Honor your father & mother [a prime commandment with a promise] that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." - Ephesians 6:2-3, Exodus 20:12

PRAISE:
Praise God for the temporary work for the MBB who is without a visa or permanent employment. It is because of his faith he has not been able to maintain steady work – employers have treated him unfairly over the past 4+ years.

PETITION:
Pray for a workers conference scheduled in the region in a few weeks time. Pray that all the delegates would get visas and that God’s agenda would be accomplished.

Please pray for a local woman who is earnestly seeking God, reading the Bible, devouring Christian materials, yet has had some strange dreams luring her back to Islam. She has now cut off from contact with Christian friends.

Please pray for a member of the royal family in our country who has been searching for years. In addition to reading the Bible and watching Arabic Christian programming, they have recently had some very deep discussions with believers and requested more Christian materials.

Pray for the MBBs that are staying with tentmaker families in the region. Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide their discipleship and draw them closer to Him.

Ba'ar is a poor local National Muslim man whom a worker has been reaching out. Pray that the worker would have wisdom to know how to minister and witness to this man. Language is a barrier. Pray that God would provide a way for these men to communicate about Jesus.

TESTIMONY:
Sheikha is a young National Muslim woman studying in the government university. She works hard, does all of her work on time and gets good grades in her courses. However, her parents forbid her to meet with any of the tentmakers that she has met over the past 12 months. She has heard the Good News story and is secretly open to the message of Jesus. The tentmakers have been discrete in contacting her over the past 6 – 7 weeks – trying to not compromise her parents trust in her. The family that is relating to them the most has been discouraged by the many, long intervals of silence. However, just recently Sheikha has been allowed by her family to meet up with this Christian family that live near her home – albeit for a work-related help and guidance. Pray for a continued green light from her parents. Pray that she and the tentmaking family to act wisely as they interact with her very strong Muslim family.


<>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Praying Thru the Arabian Peninsula
www.pray-ap.info
USA #: 800-376-5876 (Eastern Time)
Encouraging & equipping believers & churches everywhere to pray through the heart of the Muslim world so that church planting movements will spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and beyond for the Lord's glory.

====
To learn how you can support this & other work in the Middle East, visit:
http://www.srginc.org

Or write:
ptap@srginc.org

Or:
PTAP
c/o Strategic Resource Group
P.O. Box 1809
Easton, MD 21601
USA

A Christian worker recently shared or "preached" to a Bible recipient and five on-lookers. Pray that the truth shared during this time would burn in the hearts of those who heard it. Pray that the truth they have heard would cause them to hunger for more.

Norma has recently lost her daughter and is burdened with sadness. Pray that she would find comfort in God's Word and that a Christian worker would have the opportunity to lead her to the Lord.

Praise the Lord that Christian women have had increased opportunities to meet and share with Muslim women. Pray that Lord would prepare the hearts of these Muslim women for all He would have the Christian workers to share with them.

Pray for Viv to be open to the gospel and have a desire to know Jesus. Pray that the Christian worker ministering to her would have an opportunity to lead her to the Lord.

Several Christian workers will leave in the summer. Pray that God would send more workers into His Harvest.

Last year, many local believers suffered heavy brutal persecution. These believers need continual prayer. Please lift them up daily. Pray that God would restore them fully from the trauma they suffered.

Thank you for praying for the Light to shine in this land.

CHRISTIAN LEADERS CALL FOR PRAYER: over increased violence against Christians

Increased violence against Christians in parts of India recently has Christian leaders calling for urgent prayer.

...

"The Taliban used force to exert stringent control over the entire nation of Afghanistan," Gospel for Asia founder and president K.P. Yohannan said. "And that is exactly what is happening in India -- a radical minority is attempting to 'Hinduize' a nation of over one billion people."

Currently, 14 innocent Christians languish in Alirajpur prison without bail for the last two years. They are all accused of murdering Arjun Pal, one of the Hindutva brigades "martyrs." However, witnesses have said that many of the Christians were not even present at the scene at the time of the violence. Pal was accidentally shot by his own party people during the destruction of the mission school and the private property of Christians.

On Monday, February 27, high-profile Hindu Nationalist Party leaders, including Shivraj Chouhan from Madhya Pradesh, Vijaya Raje Scindia of Rajasthan and Narendra Modi will inaugurate the statue of Pal in Madhya Pradesh.

"I am requesting that you please multiply this prayer request so that on the 27th the demonic activity will be replaced with God's miraculous glory," a Christian leader in Madhya Pradesh said in an e-mail prayer appeal to WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK.

"The day these 14 are released from prison, I would surely feel I have accomplished my greatest goal on earth," she added. "Yes, only prayers would bring answers to our petitions and supplications for these victims, including the four other brothers and sisters, who are in Dhar jail."

Yohannan called upon Believers to fast and pray for the persecuted Church in India -- in order to see a breakthrough that will bring millions into the kingdom.

"Today, India is at a crossroads," he said, "and we as believers in Jesus have the opportunity to help make an impact on this nation that will last for eternity."

Samuel Thomas of Hopegivers International asked Christians everywhere to pray that revival would break out in India and that the enemies of the Gospel would be confounded.

"Please use your influence to prompt governments of other countries to say a word to our government leaders to provide protection for the orphan children in our homes, and for pastors and their families," he said. "We need justice for Christians in India."

"The believers in Christ in India are asking their brothers and sisters around the world to lift us up in prayer, as we face severe persecution," Thomas added. "We want to continue to brag about our Lord Jesus until our last breath. Pray, pray, pray, and pray more for the persecuted believers and leaders in India."

Prayer Points

Please pray:

The demonic forces driving these attacks against Christians to be thwarted. Pray that the increased violence against Christians will subside.

All Indian Christians who are in jail on false charges. Pray that God will sustain and strengthen them. Pray for justice and freedom, especially the 14 in Alirajpur prison.

The salvation of members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Pray that attempts by Hindu extremists to make India a Hindu nation will stop.

The persecuted Christians and leaders affected by the recent violence to continue to fix their eyes on Jesus. Pray that God will uphold and sustain them and that they would find comfort and refuge in Him.

Churches that have been targeted by Hindu extremists. Pray that God will give wisdom to those in positions of leadership as they seek to respond to these attacks. Pray also that God will give them grace to love their enemies. Pray that Christian churches will be safe places and not sites of vandalism or arson.

Christians in India who are under pressure to renounce their faith to stand strong. Ask God to give them faith and hope in the midst of such great difficulties. India has jumped from No. 34 to No. 26 in the 2006 Open Doors World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer most for their faith. Pray that Christians will stay strong in the faith with the support of prayers and support from the West.

The call for a nationwide anti-conversion law to fail, and that anti-conversion laws in some states would be repealed. Pray that God will give people across India freedom to come to know Him and to worship God openly. Pray also that anti-Christian rallies will not inflame communities.

Christians in the media. Ask God to give them integrity as they report unfolding events. Pray that God will help them to exercise great wisdom and sensitivity in the way in which they report.

God to protect the innocent tribal people who have been faithfully following Christ, and for the missionaries who are ministering among them, bringing them God's hope for a new life that has been denied by the Hindus for centuries.

The House Church to grow in India. Pray that God will give House Church leaders wisdom, knowledge and understanding in shepherding their flocks. Pray for God's divine protection.

Sources: Assist News Service, Compass Direct, Gospel for Asia, Hopegivers International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors USA.

EGYPT: MISSING WOMAN CONTACTS FAMILY FOR HELP
Compass Direct - http://www.compassdirect.org
February 23, 2006

Missing for over a month, a young Christian woman has telephoned her relatives and reported being imprisoned in a Cairo apartment while facing pressure to convert to Islam.

Last seen in the village of El-Saff, 30 miles south of Cairo on January 3, Theresa Ghattass Kamal briefly contacted her aunt on January 24. She told her aunt that she had not yet succumbed to her unknown captors’ demands that she become a Muslim, her brother Sa’eed Ghattass Kamal told Compass. Her phone call contradicted earlier police statements that she had converted to Islam voluntarily and did not want to see her family again.

Further investigation by Sa’eed Kamal revealed that no official
records of his sister’s conversion existed at Cairo’s Al-Azhar
Islamic center. [T]he origination point of the 19-year-old woman’s call [was a] house as “a dangerous place, full of fundamentalists.”

Full story with picture:
http://www.compassdirect.org/en/newslongen.php?idelement=4225

Indonesia - Pray for an end to the forced church closures in West Java and that Christians throughout Indonesia will have enough churches in which to worship.

Western Sahara - Pray for renewed efforts to resolve the sovereignty of this disputed territory.

Egypt – Pray that a Presidential decree decreed in December concerning church buildings would be implemented and lead to changed practice.

IRAQ: CHURCHES TARGETED AS TENSIONS RISE
from: World Evangelical Alliance
http://www.worldevangelicalalliance.org)
Religious Liberty Prayer List - February 1, 2006
By Elizabeth Kendal

On Sunday, January 29, five car bombs exploded in Kirkuk and
Baghdad between 4:10pm and 4:30pm. Three people were killed by
the Kirkuk bombs which went off outside the Church of the Virgin
and an Orthodox church. In Baghdad, car bombs exploded outside
the Vatican embassy, The Disciples of St. Peter and Paul Orthodox
Church, and an Anglican church. At least 14 people altogether
were injured. An Assyrian Christian source reported that Assyrian
Christian university students in Mosul were beaten by mobs of
Muslim students angry about the cartoons of Mohammed published
in Denmark last September. It appears the church bombings were
also linked to local anger over the Danish cartoons.

Iraqi Christians are extremely vulnerable. Sunnis and Shi'ites are reported to be polarizing along sectarian lines, with social groups and even whole suburbs becoming less mixed and identifying more by religious affiliation. It is also reportedly the same with student groups in universities. As people, groups, and whole communities start to identify by religious affiliation rather than their common Iraqi nationality, the Christian minority find themselves increasingly despised, marginalized, and exposed. They are endangered, without equality before the (Islamic) law, having no retaliation ideology, and lacking security in a lawless Islamic society.

Full story: http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/postings/postings.php?ID=548

Tibet – Pray for Christian Believers to find ways to express the Good News of Jesus Christ in ways that are meaningful to Buddhists.

Mongolia – Pray that the young Christian Church will be taught the Word of God and that discipleship training will transform their lives.

India - Pray for God's protection upon the Christian community of India and that they will be strong and faithful [to the Lord's testimony] in the face of this persecution.

Afghanistan – We pray for Christians in Afghanistan. We ask that you would bring them greater freedom to worship you.

Bangladesh - We continue to pray for peace, comfort, and an unwavering boldness for the family and friends of the late Tapan Kumar Roy and Liplal Mardi, Christian workers, who were murdered in July 2005.

Bhutan - In December, King Wangchuck announced that the first democratic elections would be held in 2008. Pray that it might lead to greater religious freedom.

Eritrea - Almighty God, we know that the peace-keeping forces on the border with Ethiopia have been crippled by the government's request that all European personnel leave the country. Lord, we ask you for a just and swift resolution to the border dispute.

Syria - Pray for those who choose to follow Jesus, that they will stand firm against intense family pressure.

West Bank & Gaza Strip – Pray for Christians in Bethlehem, as restrictions on access to the town for locals, tourists, and pilgrims are made increasingly difficult with severe consequences for local businesses.

Mauritania – Pray that more Christians will be able to visit Mauritania to support local Believers.

Sudan - Thank you, Lord, for the release of Sudanese refugees who had been detained in Cairo. We continue to pray that you would restore peace to Sudan, so that people would feel that it is safe to return.

Kuwait – Pray that Christians would make good use of the opportunities afforded by the official mourning period following the death on 14th January of the Emir.

Saudi Arabia - Praise God that the police raids on informal expatriate fellowships meeting in homes appears to have ended. Pray for wisdom and courage for all Christians living in Saudi Arabia, that they will be Christ’s presence.