Watch & Pray Volume 1 Issue 8
Praying For Asia Bibi and Pakistan
Sept 2011
Sept 21, 2011 - Praying for Nigeria
The Ministries of Watch Pray Revive: CURE International http://www.cure.org Open Doors http://www.opendoorsusa.org Joshua Project http://www.joshuaproject.net Food For The Poor http://www.foodforthepoor.org Operation World http://www.operationworld.org
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Insight Asia’s story is one of those that has gotten a lot of attention since her arrest in 2009. I remember whenever I first heard about her story, it was one of the very first stories of modern day persecution that I had heard. Until her story, sadly I was very ignorant about what goes on around the world. Asia’s story was a catalyst for many things in my own life, little did I know of the groundwork 2 years ago that God would be laying to be the foundation of my ministry. Last year I prayed that God would break my heart for the things that break His. I had no idea how He was going to answer that prayer, but within just a few weeks of praying that prayer, He introduced me to Asia Bibi and her story. My first thought was “this is ridiculous” this kind of thing doesn’t happen in 2010! I think it’s pretty safe to say that I had no clue. So a year later, I find myself as a volunteer for Open Doors USA, dedicated to share, inspire and empower others to get involved, to pray for, and support the persecuted Church. As a Bridge Builder I am to Share, Inspire, and Empower. Sharing the Story of the Persecuted Church. Through speaking engagements, social media, and every day conversations I hope to share the stories of persecuted Christians worldwide. Inspiring Compassion for Persecuted Christians. Compassion -by definition is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Empowering Action on behalf of the Persecuted Church. My prayer is that you will be inspired, filled with compassion, and be moved by the Spirit into action. Join us this week as we pray for Asia Bibi, her family, and for Pakistan.
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Asia Bibi was arrested by police on June 19, 2009 More than 35,000 people have signed VOM’s “A Call for Mercy” petition since the campaign was launched in July 2011. With a goal to gather 1 million signatures, VOM hopes to help secure the release of Asia Bibi, a Christian wife and mother who was sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan. After her arrest, more than 150,000 Pakistani Christians signed a separate petition demanding justice for persecution victims, specifically Asia Bibi. Go to www.callformercy.com to add your signature to the VOM petitition. After signing, pray that the petition would persuade the government to release Asia and allow her to return to her family. Ashiq Masih, Asia Bibi’s husband, visits her every week with their two daughters. He is desperate. ‘Bibi is frail and can barely speaks,’ he said. ‘She asks me about the High Court hearing every time, and every time in disappointment I tell her that we are waiting the court to take up the case. She has not lost hope and she has the faith that God will take her out of the jail,’ he explained.”
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Pray for Asia Bibi
Pakistan is #11 on the WWL
“Obedience means marching right on whether we feel like it or not.” - DL Moody “The wonder of it…At this moment, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, living as our Mediator & leading us on mission.” - David Platt “From my many years experience I can unhesitatingly say that the cross bears those who bear the cross” -Sundar Singh “Being centered on the exaltation of the majesty of God will kindle a fervent desire to “declare his glory among the nations” -Piper “Seducers are more dangerous enemies to the church than persecutors.” - Matthew Henry
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13 Unreached People - Ansari
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“Our Christ sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins. Our Christ is alive.” - Asia Bibi “Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying.” - Paul E. Billheimer “Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still.” - E.M. Bounds “Today Christians spend more money on dog food then missions” – Leonard Ravenhill “To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map.” – William Carey “I am ready to burn out for God. I am ready to endure any hardship, if by any means I might save some. The longing of my heart is to make known my glorious Redeemer to those who have never heard.” – William Burns
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I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
A Call to Prayer
A family without their mother, they are praying for a miracle for her release. Join us as we pray for Asia Bibi this week
Pray for Asia Bibi Be the Domino God uses to touch the lives of others.” Whenever I think about that phrase it doesn’t take very long before the name Asia Bibi comes to mind. On November 8th, 2010, Asia was the first woman to be sentenced to death by hanging under Pakistan’s blasphemy law. Asia Bibi was arrested on June 19, 2009, after she engaged in an intense discussion with a group of women who worked with her. Answering their calls for her to accept Islam, Asia told them Jesus is alive, but Mohammad is dead. “Our Christ is the true prophet of God,” she reportedly told them, “and yours is not true.” Upon hearing this, the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia, who was taken into police custody and then later condemned to die. I remember whenever I started preparing material for our church to honor International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, and I read about her story from Voice of the Martyrs and how heartbroken I was over her situation. My daughter’s Sunday School class all wrote letters to send to her the following weekend of IDOP. Just prior to her sentencing Asia had this to say about her case, “It does finally not matter to me whether I am sentenced or whether the judge will set me free because I know that I am innocent and most of all I know that the Lord is with me. They persecuted Jesus also, and the Bible says that they will persecute us as well.”
Salman Taseer, the former Governor of Punjab Province and advocate of Asia Bibi, was assassinated on Jan. 4 by his personal bodyguard, Mumtaz Qadri. Taseer had been commissioned by President Asif Ali Zardari to conduct a ministerial review of Asia Bibi’s case. He found the verdict unsound and recommended a presidential pardon. Qadri, who openly confessed to killing Taseer, told authorities he was angered by Taseer’s support for the proposed amendment to the blasphemy law and for Asia Bibi. Qadri was hailed a hero by his supporters, including a number of lawyers, who showered him with rose petals at his first court appearance.
Shahbaz Bhatti, another proponent of amending the blasphemy law, was killed on Mar. 2 by militant Islamic Hearing a statement like that really puts our own struggles extremists. Bhatti, a Federal Minister and the only into perspective doesn’t it? Christian in the Pakistani cabinet, worked on Asia Bibi’s behalf and spoke out against the blasphemy law. The In the weeks after, there was an enormous international Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the murder of outcry denouncing the blasphemy law. Bhatti. The assassins left leaflets at the scene of the attack which stated they killed him for being a blasphemer. Since then, there have be several troubling developments that have all been a “domino effect” of her sentencing. Even if Asia’s sentenced was to be overturned, there are many rewards being offered for killing her. Asia’s husband, Sherry Rehman, the People’s Party parliamentarian who Ashiq Masih, and their children are constantly on the run submitted a bill to amend the blasphemy law, has been in Pakistan due to death threats. Other vocal supporters of receiving death threats from Islamic radicals. The bill was amending the blasphemy law have had to flee the country withdrawn last month after the Pakistan Prime Minister because of threats to them and their families. announced that the government would not amend the law.
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Pray for Asia Bibi To say that Asia’s arrest created a “domino effect” would be an understatement. Recent lobbying by Open Doors along with others led to a significant “domino effect” when the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a new resolution on worldwide religious intolerance while taking a significant step away from the the “Defamation of Religions” resolution. Asia made news headlines on CNN last year which created a ripple effect and national awareness of her persecution, and international outcry. Also, On April 20th, Christians around the world held a Day of Prayer for Asia Bibi for her release. Haroon Barket Masih, President of the Masih Foundation, asked Christians to put her on their daily prayer lists. He said she is being kept in solitary confinement for her own safety and has been moved to an allwomen’s prison after threats were made to blow up the prison she was being held in. Asia recently became very ill with chickenpox because of the environment that she was in. Masih reported that in spite of her poor health, Bibi is spending her time fasting and praying for others. She is spending her time fasting and praying for others….. Can you imagine having that kind of faith? She’s facing death whether they execute her under the death penalty law, or whether she gets released, and she is spending her time fasting and praying for others. Talk about touching the lives of others! Asia’s faith is extremely encouraging to me on so many levels. Despite her circumstances her focus is not on the things in this world. I read in a blog post earlier this week that “Life is not consistent. God is”. I imagine that statement is something that Asia understands all too well, but her focus isn’t on her circumstances, she isn’t sulking over her situation. Her faith is something that we should all take notice of. She is not wallowing in despair. She’s not blaming others for what has happened. Her trust is in God, her confidence is in Christ.
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Praying for Pakistan Operation World Sept 25-28 Pakistan is the prayer focus of Operation World during the next few days.
from spirits of lawlessness and violence that continue to bleed the nation.
comply with fanatics and mobs, and just is not usually attained in these heartbreaking situations.
There is much to be in prayer for over Pakistan. The main feature of this week’s Watch and Pray has been centered on Asia Bibi, because of what is happening in Pakistan.
Pray for the raising of leaders of integrity and a government that will be effective in moving the nation forward and uplifting those who most need their protection and assistance.
Pray that religious freedom might be maintained, both in law and in practice. Pray that those seeking to abuse Pakistan’s laws might be subject to justice.
Pakistan is 95.8 % Mulsim. Christians are only a dismal 2.4 %.
That Pakistan persists as a nation at all is a testament to the amazing resilience and flexibility of its people.
The average income per person is only $1022 just 2% of the US. The country is under stress from fundamentalist forces in Pakistan’s west and neighbouring Afghanistan as well as in the Punjab. Tensions with India and long-standing troubles in Kashmir, a region driven by religious and political divisions, also threaten stability. Pray that Pakistan would be freed
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As mentioned in the Open Doors segment of this week’s prayer guide, Persecution and violence are the reality for many Christians in this country. Frequently, churches are vandalized or destroyed, and people are beaten, murdered, abducted, raped or forced to convert. Police are usually frightened into submission to
Pray that Christians might always be prepared to share about Jesus, and to repay prejudice with forgiveness and violence with love. Outreach is an issue needing major change. Few Muslims have ever come to Christ because the existing Church emerged from the lowest rungs of society. Hunge cultural boundaries exist between the Muslim majority and the Christians minority. There has been very little done to reach Muslims or even Hinduss.
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Pray for Christians to be impassioned and equipped to share their faith and to answer the claims and the questions of Muslims. Signs of an awakening in this area are appearing, and a small but growing number of indigenous believers are starting to reach out cross-culturally. Believers from a Muslim background are in a unique and challenging situation. Islam has grave punishments for those who leave the Islam faith, yet there have been increasing numbers of Muslims coming to faith in Jesus, often through various forms of media, as well as dreams and visiions, and through the witness of Pakistani Christians. Some networks of Muslimbackground believers (or MBB’s)
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are starting to emerge for mutual spiritual support and discipleship.
Church is very immature in their faith.
Pray for such networks to spread and fellowships to form for these believers so that they do not easily fall away.
Pray for education and leadership training within the Church.
Ask the Lord to raise up leaders for these believers, and for their protection. Pray that any such movement will develop solid disciples with hearts to reach other Muslims. Pray for the Church. Poverty, illiteracy and lack of teaching have hastened corruption, carnality, and lowering spiritual standards. Substance abuse occurs frequently enough among Christians to be a terrible testimony to Muslims. There are about 10 % of believers to be fully devoted, committed followers of Christ, but the majory of the
Finally, pray for an end to the blasphemy law. Much has been done to help this situation, but there is much still to be done. Continue to pray for Asia Bibi, for her witness, her testimony to reach others. Pray for her health, her strength, and for her family. Pray for the 350 people groups who can be regarded as unevangelized. Pakistan is the 2nd largest concentration of unengaged, unevangelized people, and the world’s second largest Muslim population. Much prayer is needed for Pakistan.
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World Watch List 2011
Open Doors Pakistan is #11 on the Open Doors World Watch List. Religious freedom is constantly being eroded. Although persecution does not come primarily from the state, the constitution and judiciary fail to protect the rights of religious minorities. In 2010, 29 Christians were killed and 4 were sentenced for blasphemy. At least 58 Christians were kidnapped and at least 100 were physically harmed. During the devastating floods of August 2010, Christians experienced discrimination from local authorities and Muslims in the distribution of aid. In November 2010, a Christian woman (Asia Bibi) was sentenced to death for blasphemy. Pray For those working to help flood victims to rebuild their lives That the government would review the blasphemy laws and do more to protect religious minorities Kidnapping of young girls to force them to convert to Islam is common. Pray for protection for Christian girls.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield. (Psalms 5:11-12)
Leader - President Asif Zardari Population 163.9 million Christian 2.4 % Main Religion - Islam Governement - Republic Facts & Figures WWL - #11 Previous ranking - #14 Persecuted Christians - Desire Prayer
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Joshua Project praying for the
Unreached Ansari of Pakistan Ansari is Arabic and is derived from Ansar (also Arabic) which has a literal meaning of “those who support”. It is considered to be primarily a nisbat which is a second or suffix name used as a specifier. Ansar originates from the Medinan people who assisted the prophet Muhammed as he migrated from Mecca to Medina. These people later became his emissaries and soldiers. They are predominately artisans by trade and are mostly poor and illiterate. The weaving of silk is a common trade skill of these people. Although traditionally weavers and textile sellers, the Ansarism are now involved in a wide range of small business in towns like Janakpur or Lumbini. Predominately in the Maithili language, though also in Nepali or Bhojpuri, these textile artisans trade with Darzi tailors and other Muslim merchants. The Ansaris are not vegetarian and widely accepting of drink and food from other communities. They tend, however, to be rather clannish and guarded about marriage within the group. Bangles and beads are commonly worn and glass bangles are a symbol of married women in some communities. The Ansaris are Muslim who practice Islamic laws for life and living, though folk Islam practices are common. The Ansari are Muslim who practice folk Islam which incorporates many superstitions into their observance of the religion. There are almost no followers of Christ among the Muslim Ansaris. The friendliness of the Ansaris can open doors for believers to develop closeness with them and opportunities to share the gospel.
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Prayer Points There are few if any known believers in the Ansari people group Audio Translations of the New Testament are needed Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Ansari towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel. Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin to pray for the Ansari, Pray for the Lord to burden the hearts of His people to reach the Ansari Pray for the availability of the Jesus Film in the primary language of this people. Scripture Focus
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” ( Psalm 33:12)
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CURE International Pray for Melvin Munene Condition: Untreated Burns Country: Kenya Age: 3 years old Treatment: 10/03/2011 Goal: $1000 needed Dorcas remembers the day her son got burned. It was a normal evening, and after getting home from work, she fed and bathed Melvin then dressed him warmly for bed because it was so cold. She said goodnight, then went to boil water for her bathing. Looking very disturbed as she recalled the details, Dorcus told me she still doesn’t In May of this year, he had the first operation done to release the contracture on understand why and how he got out of his right hand. Dorcus said that the wound has healed well, and at least he has bed. regained total control and movement of that hand. What now remains is his left arm. Once that is done, she hopes he can finally start back to school, which he had Regardless, little Melvin ended up begun just before the accident happened. What a privilege it will be for us to help falling into the “sufuria”, the huge give him back his mobility and his chance at an education. pot of boiling water. Dorcas blames the severity of his burns on the many clothes she had put on him, saying, “They retained the hot water.” On hearing him scream, she immediately undressed him, poured cold water on him as first aid then rushed him to the hospital. They were admitted for 2 months. By the time they were discharged, the wounds on his back and hands had dried up, but the contracture on his left side had created a web between his arm and back.
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Food For the Poor
Thousands of hands - 1 million meals COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2011) — A taste of the tropics is taking root in the nation’s heartland. Wisconsin, famous for its cheese and its sports teams, soon will celebrate all things Haitian. Haiti’s food, artistry and music are the supporting cast in Milwaukee’s grand production of a four-day food packing event with Food For The Poor and Worldwide Hunger Relief, Inc. Thousands of volunteers are expected to fill the Wisconsin Products Pavilion at the State Fair Park, to pack more than one million meals, which will be shipped to Haiti to feed thousands of the Caribbean nation’s children. At the same time, the volunteers will raise funds to build a village in Portau-Prince. To help Haiti become self-sustaining, we have to get the people out of the tent cities and into sturdy housing.
Thousands have lost family members along with their worldly possessions, and are relying heavily on the kindness of strangers nearly two years after the 2010 earthquake,” said Robin Mahfood, President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “We are moved by the tremendous generosity the people of Milwaukee are displaying to help this organization feed the most vulnerable in Haiti. Thank you.” Each participant in the food packing event will pay a $20 fee, which will be used to purchase the dehydrated foods for the one million meals. The meals will provide nutritious food without the fear of spoiling. The risk of waterborne illnesses is eliminated because boiling water is needed to rehydrate the meals. For registration information please click on WorldwideHungerRelief.org for complete details for individual and group participation.
Rachel Wheeler of Lighthouse Point, Fla., scoops rice at Food For The Poor’s Port-au-Prince feeding center. Through the charity’s Champions For The Poor program, Rachel raised enough money to build an entire village for formerly homeless Haitians. She is now working on funding a school for students displaced by the 2010 earthquake.
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Emergency The Truth about Pornography Honesty Integrity True Chracter
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“Our Christ sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins ..... Our Christ is alive.” Asia Bibi, a wife and mother, used these words to defend her faith against mocking co-workers who tried to make her convert to Islam. She was later convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death. In Pakistan, more than 150,000 Christians have signed a petition demanding justice for persecution victims, including Asia Bibi. Now you can join with The Voice of the Martyrs and our Pakistani brothers and sisters in a call for mercy. We hope to gather 1 million signatures on behalf of our sister Asia, who now sits in prison awaiting the Lahore High Court's ruling on her appeal.
Asia Bibi received a death sentence after being convicted of blasphemy
Invite your friends to visit www.CallForMercy.com and add their names to the petition as well. VOM will deliver the petition, along with the list of signers, to the Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC.
Asia’s husband Ashiq, and daughters, Isha, and Isham, pray for her release
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Praying for Pakistan Pakistani Christian dead via ICC
as “Lannat” which means curse.
Jonathan Racho of International Christian Concern (ICC) reports that Aslam Masih died September 9 after suffering an illness. "A Christian human rights organization in Pakistan asked the prison officials to give this brother medical treatment, but the jail officials refused to give him proper medication, citing security concerns," Racho explains.
Farida Bibi immediately reported blasphemy of Faryal Tauseef Bhatti to Principal of School Mr. Junaid Sarfraz who decided to expel Ms Bhatti immediately.
An autopsy revealed that Masih died from dengue fever, a treatable disease caused by four related viruses spread by a particular species of mosquito. ICC is becoming increasingly concerned because Masih is the latest addition to the list of Christians accused of blasphemy who are dying in prison. "For example, on March 15, a Pakistani Christian by the name Qamar David died of a heart attack, according to Pakistani officials. But his lawyer maintained that David was martyred due to the blasphemy conviction," the ICC spokesman notes.
The news of defiling Holy name of Prophet Mohammad by a Christian student spread like a fire in small town of Havelian in jurisdiction of Pakistan Ordinance Factory Colony and protests were launched by Muslims to punish Faryal Bhatti. Friday, 23rd September, 2011, was day of fear for few dozen Christians families of Havelian town when Islamic clerics delivered sermons in mosques on Friday Prayers that Faryal Bhatti is a blasphemer and must be punished. It was said in Friday sermons that Muslim teacher Farida Bibi have confirmed that it was not a mistake but intention of Christian student to defile Holy name of Prophet. The Islamic clerics called to teach lesson to Christian girl and other Christian from mosque loudspeakers.
When Pakistan Christian Post correspondent visited Havelian town, the quarter occupied by staff nurse Further, Falish Masih was found dead in 2009 inside his prison cell. Though he had severe wounds all over his body, Sarafeen Bhatti in POF Hospital Havelian who is mother of Faryal Tauseef Bhatti was locked and neighbors told that Pakistani police claim he had committed suicide. That she has been transferred to Wahh Cantonment hospital by same year, two Christians were shot to death outside a POF administration. courthouse.
Blasphemy accused Christian school girl in Pakistan flees with family via Pakistan Christian Post
Islamabad: September 26, 2011. (PCP) The 8th grader Christian girl expelled from her school on accusation of blasphemy on misspelling poetry term dedicated to praise Prophet Mohammad fled from her hometown with her family for safety of life.
The controversial Blasphemy law is being misused by Islamic elements to score personal rivalry and business dispute against religious communities in Pakistan. There have been sad incidents of Muslim mob attacks on Christian properties and burning them alive. There have been dozens of incident of assassination of Christians on pretext to blasphemy.
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have condemned actions of Muslim teacher of Faryal The protests in town of Havelian erupted yesterday to file Bhatti who intentionally alleged her Christian student charges of blasphemy against 13 years old Christian girl of blasphemy on misspelling “Naat” in her test papers Faryal Tauseef Bhatti, student of Sir Syed High School. because Christian students are excluded from teaching of Islamic Studies according to Lahore High Court rulings. The Faryal Tauseef Bhatti was expelled from school when her Lahore High Court issued decree that non-Muslim shall teacher Farida Bibi checked her test paper in which instead study Pakistan Movement instead of Islamiat. of “Naat” poetry to praise Prophet Mohammad was spelled
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Praying for Pakistan “I urge government of Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law as his assassination news she lost her senses. Now the only it is hanging like sword on necks of millions of Christians, source of income of that house is dead who will be the Hindus and Ahmadi religious communities and hundreds of next? innocent minority members have been killed by Islamists on pretext to controversial blasphemy law” said Nazir Ruling on Crucifixes Bhatti Organization of Islamic Conference OIC brings Global Blasphemy law via UNHRC resolution “Defamation of Religion Islam” while European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled last week that the presence of crucifixes violated a child’s right to freedom of religion: Pakistan Christian Congress PCC appeals PCP readers to send Muslims kill Christian pilgrim of Holy Mary letters to Italian Prime Minister to challenge Crucifixes Shrine in Pakistan (via Pakistan Post) ruling and to Secretary General of UNO to express your concern on Global Blasphemy resolution. Click here for Sheikhupura, Punjab: September 8, 2011. (PCP) A Christian more information about this. youth Sunil Masih aged 25 years was kidnapped and killed by Muslims on his way to Shrine of Holy Mary in Dengue fever epidemic hits Pakistan Mariamabad when he left his group to pass urine in fields. Nazir Bhatti demanded safety of life of Faryal Bhatti and her family and urged Islamic clerics and Islamic political leaders to step forward to stop misuse of blasphemy law against innocent religious minorities.
His dead body was run over by a truck to make it an accident but police denied any such accident after examination of dead body of Sunil Masih. Millions of Christian pilgrims walk towards one village named Mariamabad in Seikhupura district of Punjab province of Pakistan from every city and town of Pakistan every year from September 8 to 11 since 1949.
(via BBC News) The government in Pakistan’s eastern province of Punjab is struggling to control a growing dengue fever epidemic, officials say. They have warned that it threatens to affect other parts of the country. More than 4,000 cases of dengue fever have been reported in the past two months, officials say, and at least eight people have died.
Some walk bare foot and some roll towards statues of Holy Mary in Mariamabad village in hope that their wishes shall While the disease is not new in Pakistan, experts say it has be fulfilled and miracle happen in this small remote village spread fast and may reach crisis proportions. of Punjab. Mariamabad village was founded by Catholic Church of Pakistan in 1892 by Capuchin Bishop Van Den Bosch and statue of Holy Mary was erected in this village for Catholic peasants to own agricultural land of 2000 acres. The news spread that anyone who wishes kneeling before statue of Holy Mary in this village gets his wish which attracted crowds of Catholics, Protestant and even Muslims from all over Pakistan.
They say that the illness is thriving because of poor hygiene, an absence of control measures and the fact that recent heavy monsoon rainfall has lowered temperatures and provided lots of water - ideal conditions for denguecarrying mosquitoes. Dengue fever is a tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water.
Sunil Masih was only son of his parents while his father is suffering with kidneys problem. When his mother heard
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Praying the Names of God Yahweh-Yireh, we lift up Your Name as the “God who shall provide” over all the earth (Genesis 22:8-14). May all people come to know You as the “One who provides in all their needs.”
I AM God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of
Trustworthy God, let the Church arise, live and proclaim that God is not a man that He should lie. He is not a human, that He should change His mind. He has never spoken and failed to act. He has never promised and not carried it through. (Numbers 23:19-20). May she believe this and proclaim it as the truth. We declare over the earth and its inhabitants, that when a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7). Jesus Christ, have mercy, remove accusation and condemnation from our hearts and lips.
He Is... Beginning - Revelation 21:6 Blessed & Holy Ruler - 1 Timothy 6:15 Branch - Jeremiah 33:15 Bread of God - John 6:33 Bread of Life - John 6:35 Bridegroom - Isaiah 62:56
Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14) I am gracious I am He I am He that comforts you I am He that lives , and was dead I am He that searches the heart I am Holy I am in the midst of Israel I am merciful I am the Almighty God
Bright Morning Star - Revelation 22:16
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Revive To See God - Bennie Mostert
viewing pornography are staggering, the effects are devastating. Please be in prayer for this ministry and for We would all so much like to see the Lord, talk to Him and the men who will be signing up for this online study. we wish that He would speak to us. However, a problem arises when He reveals Himself to us in such a way that we Pray for a Nation using the Book of Daniel can see Him, and that we are able to hear Him when He speaks. May I explain in the words of C.S. Lewis: I am not sure where this originated, but I found this to be “There comes a moment when the children who have been playing at burglars suddenly become quiet: was that a real footstep in the hall? There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion suddenly draw back. Suppose we really find Him? We never meant it to come to that! Worse still, suppose He had found us?” So we see the problem is not seeking God, but what to do when we find Him!! When God reveals Himself, it’s all about God and not about us anymore. Over and over in the Scriptures we read that people saw God.
greatly encouraging! 1. Focus on God’s character. Acknowledge God’s goodness, His greatness, and that He is ultimately in control (Dan.2:20-22 and 9:4,7,9). Refuse to be more impressed by sin or evil people or wicked rulers than with God’s greatness and goodness. For a nation in a time of crisis, faith comes from being impressed with God, not circumstances. 2. Thank God for what He has shown you in the past as you prayed for your nation (Dan.2:23, 9:3). If you have not prayed for your nation with fasting, brokenness and humility, ask God‘s forgiveness.
Look what Isaiah experienced when he saw God in the temple (Isa.6). What did the apostle John see on the island of Patmos? (Rev.1:9-20). Read about Paul’s encounter 3. Declare to God in faith that He raises up kings and with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). presidents, and He removes kings and presidents (Dan.2:21). Daniel believed his own king in Jerusalem was According to the descriptions in the Bible of occasions removed, and the king of Babylon raised up, to judge the where people met God, it is clear that seeing God can people of Israel. God brings governments down if they do often be a most frightening experience. God is our Father, not govern righteously. God uses wicked nations to bring but He is also the sovereign God. Jesus is the Saviour, but judgment on His people. He is also the Lord. His words are as the balm of Gilead, but also like a double-edged sword, ripping open and 4. Confess the sins of your nation in humility. Name the laying everything bare. sins of the people specifically. Daniel identified with the These past months I read the stories of revivals in history again. There are accounts of people who experienced a genuine revival, who say this was a terrifying experience for many – even for devoted Christians. There are those who say they hope they never experience a revival again – especially not the first phase of revival when God’s holiness starts burning among people. Let us draw near to God and ask Him to be merciful when He Himself approaches us.
The Truth About Pornography - Emergency Starting in October this ministry will be starting a 40 day journey addressing a topic that the church seems to be silent on - Pornography. The statistics of Christian men
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sins of his people and confessed their sins as if it was his own. When he prayed he said, “We have sinned” (Dan.9:36, 9, 13). 5. Acknowledge that the judgment of the Lord on His people is deserved because of their sins (Dan.9:11-15). 6. Call upon the mercy and forgiveness of God. Daniel believed there was only one hope for the nation, and that was the mercy of God. He appealed to God to be merciful (Dan.9:4,9,18-19). 7. Pray for God’s own sake, for His glory. As you pray, be more concerned for God than for the people or yourself. Too often our prayers are based on what we want or what we feel; and our prayers become self-centred (Dan.9:1819). www.bethedomino.org
Revive For Teens How do I pray for myself?
For Children - All About Prayer
1. Lord Jesus, give me the want to read the Bible, and give me the Holy Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I will understand the Word better (Eph.1:17).
Why is prayer such a big deal? If grownups believed in prayer, then why are they so worried? Can I really trust God to answer my prayers? How should I speak to God? How often should I pray to have a good prayer life? These 2. Lord Jesus, make me a fisher of people (Matt.4:19) and a are all questions we will try to answer this month and so disciple-maker. encourage you to pray! 3. Lord Jesus, help me not to fear people and give me boldness to be Your witness wherever I go (Acts 20:24). 4. Lord Jesus, I pray for my generation of young people who are searching, who experience much hurt and rejection (Isa.42:3). I pray that You will make Yourself known to them as their Saviour and Mender (Matt.11:27). 5. Lord Jesus, sexual intimacy is portrayed by the media in so many wrong ways, and is portrayed in so many forms in films and advertisements. Help me to recognize and understand Your purpose with sex and to live a sexually pure life. Set me free from every wrong and unbiblical idea of sex and from addiction to pornography (1 Thess.4:3). Help me to seek help if I struggle to get victory in this area of my life. 6. Lord Jesus, fill me with Your Holy Spirit and give me the spiritual power to live in victory over sin, be Your witness and do the work You give me to do (Eph.3:18-19). 7. Lord Jesus, help me to see the things in my life that are not in line with the Scriptures. Also show me what to do to put this right, and exactly how You want me to live (Rev.2:5).
What is prayer? Prayer is talking to God, as well as listening when God speaks to us! We talk often with our friends and family. God is our friend and our heavenly Father. He wants to talk to us. Heavenly Father, I love You and want to speak to You more often. Please remind me to speak to You right through the day! In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Why should we pray? There are many reasons for praying: To give the Lord our thanks and praise, to confess our sins, to ask Him for help with our problems, to ask His help for others, and just to talk with our Father. Heavenly Father, thank you for my life, and that I can tell you anything that happens in it. Help me remember to speak to You about my problems until they disappear, so that others can also come to know You are real. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. How should we pray? You can close your eyes, bow your head, kneel down or fold your hands to pray. This position shows respect. But, you can also pray while you walk to school, sit in the bus or taxi, or when you wake up in the middle of the night and feel scared. Remember to pray in Jesus’ Name, because Jesus told us to ask or pray in His Name and through the cross and His blood that was shed, we have free access to the throne of God (John 16:23b). Lord Jesus, teach me how You want me to talk to you. Help me remember at any time and place that I can talk to you and that you are never far away. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
8. Lord Jesus, help me to see the need of other people around me. I don‘t want to live a selfish life. I ask that the Holy Spirit will show me what I must do about the needs of When should we pray? Men and women in the Bible have people around me (Jas.1:27). taught us that we can pray anytime. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “Pray without ceasing”. There is never a bad time 9. Lord Jesus, my whole life lies ahead of me. I want to pray. Heavenly Father, thank you that You are always to make the best of it. You know the best path for me, awake and listening to my prayers; that You never get tired because You made me and I know You have a plan with my and are available to help me day and night! Remind me to life. I open myself up to You Lord, that You can show me pray all the time. In Jesus’ Name, Amen the way, and I choose to follow that path (Jer.29:11).
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