Day: November 21, 2013

In This Issue: Ways to pray for the nations

• PHILIPPINES: Devastation Heartbreaking
• BRUNEI: Stricter Sharia
• NORTH AMERICA: Christian Satellite Television Brings Arab Americans “A Voice from Home”
• KOSOVO: The Power of Prayer
• WORLD: Access to the Bible

Source: Christian Aid, November 11, 2013

As their nation reels from incomprehensible destruction in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, several Philippine ministries are pleading for immediate help and steadfast prayers.

One of the strongest storms in recorded history – with winds reaching upwards of 235 mph – slammed ashore November 8 in the central Philippines. Tens of thousands are feared dead and more than half a million are now homeless.

Entire coastal villages were swept away by giant waves reminiscent of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. The wide swath of structural destruction across the archipelago has directly affected some 4 million Filipinos.

The city of Tacloban on the island of Leyte was hit particularly hard, where the death toll is expected to rise to thousands.

Recovery efforts will take months, even years, and structural damage has been immense across the central Philippines. However, survival is the most pressing concern now, and water, food, and shelter are critically needed.

“The devastation on the islands is heartbreaking,” said a ministry partner. “We covet your prayers.”

» Read full story.

» Reports of how specific groups are responding to this disaster are too numerous to include here, but see How Churches Can Help without Hurting after Super Typhoon Haiyan (Christianity Today). Learn more about praying for the Philippines (Prayercast) and Muslims in the Philippines (30-days).

Source: Worthy News, October 23, 2013

The Sultan of Brunei has announced the implementation of severe corporeal punishments as his sultanate shifts towards a stricter interpretation of Sharia law, according to The Standard.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah – who first instituted Islamic law in 1966 – said a new Sharia Penal Code would soon be implemented in phases; punishments will now include stoning to death for adultery, severing of limbs for theft, and flogging for the consumption of alcohol.

Currently, Brunei has a dual court system with civil courts based on British law and Sharia courts that were limited to family issues and personal disputes.

» Read full story and a related story (PBS NewsHour), as well as more information about Brunei (Operation World) and how to pray for Brunei (Window International Network).

Source: SAT-7, November 8, 2013

» Read full story. See also recent demographic information about Arab-American Christians (Arab American Institute).

Source: OM News, November 19, 2013

As the woman served the team coffee, an OM team member asked if their family wanted prayer for anything. The woman’s eyes brightened, and with uncommon honesty she explained their struggles.

“We are always working so hard for the harvest,” she said, “but are never seeing the results of our efforts.”

A team from Transform (an outreach to Mediterranean peoples) heard this prayer request as they trekked the villages of Kosovo. For one week in July, 22 believers from around the world set out by foot to deliver Albanian New Testaments house by house.

While they walked, the teams kept their eyes open for opportunities for deeper spiritual conversations and prayer. When this Egyptian family opened their door, the team sensed this was a wider opening for Jesus’ work…

Source: Wycliffe Global Alliance, October 2013

Today, millions more people around the world have access to God’s Word in the language they understand best. God is accomplishing his mission through his power and through partnership.