[NOTE: It deeply saddened me that, just the other day, my home state of Hawaii became the 15th state of legalize "same-sex" marriage. (It was also one of the states that legalized abortion BEFORE the Supreme Court did!) It made the following song I recently saw performed even more poignant. I hope that you'll take a moment to check it out - and then pray for our nation to return to Godly sanity. - Stan]
“Women of Homecoming, #1 – Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days) (Live). Go to http://www.artistdirect.com/video/the-isaacs-grandpa-tell-me-bout-the-good-old-days-live/163186#o0F8kJpeVquKztMY.99
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS ::" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:
"Missionary in Philippines: 'Bodies Laying Everywhere'- By Dale Hurd and Heather Sells, November 12;http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/November/Truckloads-of-Bodies-Filipinos-Plead-for-Help/ - The official death toll from the Philippines typhoon stands at nearly 1,800, but authorities expect it to rise considerably. An estimated 11 million people were impacted by Super Typhoon Haiyen, with it's near 200 mile-per-hour winds and 20 foot storm surge. More than half a million people have been left homeless. In some areas, the survivors are being forced to live among piles of corpses. "It's just really death and devastation everywhere. Bodies laying everywhere. People need help," American missionary and storm survivor John Wynn said. [PRAY that relief supplies will get to the needed area in time to help the tens of thousands who are in great need. PRAY that security can be established in the midst of looters causing problems in the midst of the devastation. - Stan]
NEWS ALERT: Monday, November 04, 2013 - Saeed's Life in [Greater] Jeopardy After Prison Transfer - CBNNews.com, ; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/November/Saeeds-Life-in-Jeopardy-after-Prison-Transfer/ Saeed Abedini, an American pastor imprisoned in Iran for his faith, is facing life threatening conditions after a recent prison transfer, the America Center for Law and Justice reports. Saeed's family says he has been moved from the brutal Evin Prison to Rajai Shahr Prison, known to be an even more dangerous jail. "Going to Karaj is a severe punishment," Loes Bijnen, a Dutch diplomat from the embassy in Tehran, described the jail in a 2005 report. "Once in there one stops to be a human being," she wrote. "One is put out of sight, even of human rights activists and the press. Murders or unexplained deaths are a regular occurrence." ... "While there is broad bi-partisan support for a Senate resolution calling for Saeed's release, ... it's crucial President Barack Obama step in "directly and forcefully" to save his life. "[Go to http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign and sign a new petition.][PRAY for President Obama to forcefully speak out against this latest development; for the pastor to be finally released. (See below for more info.)]
NEWS ALERT: Oct. 23: "Christians Fleeing IRAQ Area Once Considered Safe," - CBNNews.com, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/October/Christians-Fleeing-Iraq-Area-Once-Considered-Safe/ "Increased violence in northern Iraq is pushing Christians out of that part of the country. The Kurdish north was considered a safe area for Christians fleeing from violent persecution in the central and southern regions. But bombings in recent months are causing panic and many are fleeing the country. Al qaeda has claimed responsibility for several of those attacks. Some Christians have been told by local police that they "should not be in Iraq because it is Muslim territory." The Christian charity Open Doors International is urging people around the world to pray for Christians in Iraq. They say that if the persecution continues, there may be no Christians left in Iraq by 2020.[PRAY that believers in Iraq will know God's protection and provision; that believers will know[ whether they are called to flee or remain and persevere; and that their persecutors may come to hear the gospel and come to faith in Christ. - Stan]
"SYRIAN Christians Brace for Strike, Ask for Prayer," - by Gary Lane, August 31, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/Syrian-Christians-Brace-for-Strike-Ask-for-Prayer/"As Syrians brace themselves for a possible U.S. military attack, many of the county's Christians are praying for divine intervention. They say military action against the Assad regime will only bring them greater hardship and suffering and they're asking Christians worldwide to pray that God intervenes to bring peace to their nation. They believe the collective prayers of Christians around the world could reverse an escalating conflict..."
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
Oct. 14, NORTH KOREA -"Kenneth Bae, Mom Meet; Release Not Guaranteed" - CBNNews.com, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/October/Mother-Visits-Missionary-Jailed-in-North-Korea/Update on Kenneth Bae: "US Ready to Bargain with N. Korea for Bae's Release,"- CBNNews.com, Aug 14, 2013 http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/S-Ready-to-Bargain-with-N-Korea-for-Baes-Release/ - The United States is willing to engage North Korea to secure the release of imprisoned American Christian Kenneth Bae. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the United States is "willing to consider a number of different options" to bring him home.In a video recently released by a North Korean newspaper, Bae requested the United States send a high-ranking official to North Korea to seek his pardon. It is unclear if he spoke of his own volition in the video. Bae, 45, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for sharing his faith. He suffers health problems such as diabetes and is currently hospitalized.[PRAY for 1) God's healing of and presence with Pastor Bae, 2) His earliest release by the North Korean government, and 3) God's comfort for his family and friends.]
Oct. 14, NORTH KOREA -"Kenneth Bae, Mom Meet; Release Not Guaranteed" - CBNNews.com, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/October/Mother-Visits-Missionary-Jailed-in-North-Korea/Update on Kenneth Bae: "US Ready to Bargain with N. Korea for Bae's Release,"- CBNNews.com, Aug 14, 2013 http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/S-Ready-to-Bargain-with-N-Korea-for-Baes-Release/ - The United States is willing to engage North Korea to secure the release of imprisoned American Christian Kenneth Bae. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the United States is "willing to consider a number of different options" to bring him home.In a video recently released by a North Korean newspaper, Bae requested the United States send a high-ranking official to North Korea to seek his pardon. It is unclear if he spoke of his own volition in the video. Bae, 45, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for sharing his faith. He suffers health problems such as diabetes and is currently hospitalized.[PRAY for 1) God's healing of and presence with Pastor Bae, 2) His earliest release by the North Korean government, and 3) God's comfort for his family and friends.]
IRAN - Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison. This afternoon, thousands of Americans from coast to coast will pray for his release. Events will be held in 40 states at capitols, city halls, parks and churches. Thousands more will join from 15 nations around the world
PRAY: - For comfort and peace for Saeed’s wife and children here in the U.S.\
- For a strong witness and testimony from Pastor Abedini in the prison where God has placed him
- For Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ
- BOLDly (Beside Our Leaders Daily) for leadership from the White House and State Department in defending the freedoms of Abedini and other Americans
- GO TO SaveSaeed.org to sign a petition over 600,000 others asking for his immediate release
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North Korea
Leader: Kim Jong-Un
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North Korea Government: Communist dictatorship Religion: Atheism/traditional beliefs
Population: 24.5 million (400,000 Christians)
Auschwitz, Dachau, Bergen-Belsen and Sobibor.
Four names of four Nazi concentration camps that were infamous for holding many political prisoners captive, but most for the systematic torture and killing of Jews, gypsies and others that were seen as impure.
We know the names and have images in our memories that we associate with them. But how many of us are familiar with names as Yodok, Bukchang, Kaechon and Chongori? Neglected by a large part of the international community, several hundred thousand people languish in these Nazi-like death camps, where they are stripped of all humanity.
Christians are kept in isolation from other people in the total control zone. What we know specifically about them are only bits and pieces. But Lee Soon-Ok, who was imprisoned in prison facility No. 1 Kaechon, wrote in her book 'Eyes of the tailless animals' about several hundred Christians who were kept there. "They received less food and were punished harder than others. Once or twice a month all the 6,000 prisoners needed to gather on a Saturday or Sunday and one or two Christians were publicly asked to denounce their faith. If not, they were beaten or stabbed with a sharp bamboo stick. I was amazed the Christians choose to suffer and did not betray their God. Often they just sang songs or said 'Amen'. The guards became furious and frequently killed Christians. The Christians also had to do the most dangerous and hardest work, like working in the rubbery factory. If a guard managed to force a Christian to denounce God, he or she would receive a promotion. Sometimes we had to walk over the Christian until he died."
For the eleventh year running, this is the most difficult place on earth to be a Christian. One of the remaining Communist states, it is vehemently opposed to religion of any kind. Christians are classified as hostile and face arrest, detention, torture, even public execution. There is a system of labor camps including the renowned prison No. 15, which reportedly houses 6,000 persecuted Christians alone. Despite the severe oppression, there is a growing underground church movement of an estimated 400,000 Christians.
Pray:
- For real political and economic change under the leadership of Kim Jong-Un;
- For God to reveal Himself through dreams and visions to Kim Jon-Un (as he is with many in d countries closed to the gospel around the world) as well as the entire leadership and peoples of North Korea, that many might come to faith in Christ;
- Spies have reportedly been sent to China to expose networks. Ask God to protect refugees and those helping them;
- Give thanks that Open Doors ministry and others are able to deliver emergency aid into the country.
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"N. Korea Executes 80 for Owning Bible, Watching TV" - CBNNews.com, November 12, 2013; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/November/N-Korea-Executes-80-for-Owning-Bible-Watching-TV/ [NOTE:The next time you feel unmotivated to read your Bible, or look at the many Bibles you own, or when you next watch a television program, remember and stop and pray for our bretheren facing such severe persecution as those in North Korea. May we be found as faithful should we be called on to stand for our faith! - Stan]
North Korea has executed 80 people by firing squad for minor misdemeanors, the South Korean newspaper, JoongAng Ilbo reported. - The misdemeanors include things like watching television programs from South Korea or possessing a Bible.
The article says the coordinated executions were held in seven cities earlier this month. In one place, the local government gathered up 10,000 people, including children, and forced them to watch. Relatives and friends of the victims were also reportedly sent to prison camps.
"Rare Video of North Korean Underground Christians"- http://blogs.cbn.com/globallane/archive/2013/11/07/rare-video-of-north-korean-underground-christians.aspx
Just about anyone who follows North Korea's underground church can tell you how rare it is to see actual video of North Korea Christians worshipping in their homes in North Korea. Now we have a glimpse of these bold believers doing what they do regularly under threat of discovery and imprisonment. The Colorado-based ministry that serves North Korean Christians--Seoul USA--recently obtained an exclusive video and has agreed to share it with CBN News.
Each year, North Korea tops the Open Doors Watchlist of the world's worst persecuting countries. That's because the Kim regime--though friendly to former NBA star Dennis Rodman--is unfriendly to North Koreans who practice any faith other than Juche, the state religion.
Seoul USA believes at least 30,000 Christians are currently imprisoned in North Korea.
Watch the rare video included in my Skype interview with Seoul USA CEO Rev. Eric Foley. Foley discusses the video and provides some insights on the North Korean underground church. The identities--faces and bodies of the North Korean Christians--are blurred to protect them from harm.[Go to website listed above for link to the interview.[
PRAY this Thanksgiving season and thank God for the bold example of devout faith demonstrated by our North Korean brothers and sisters in Christ. With His help, they are honoring Jesus and keeping the faith alive in the most restricted nation on Earth. May we be more like them!
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