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
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
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/ 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]
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.]
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.]
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/ 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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------''Profiles in Courage: Moms Rejecting Abortion When Their Lives Were at Risk'' - by Brad Mattes | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 1/14/14; http://www.lifenews.com/2014/01/14/profiles-in-courage-moms-rejecting-abortion-when-their-lives-were-at-risk/
[AS I SEE IT - On this special Sunday, I offer this story in honor of those women who are examples of courage and selflessness that the world rarely hears of. It answers the argument of abortion helping mothers whose lives are in danger.It answers eloquently by saying, "It depends on the mother." - Stan]
There’s one exception that many are willing to make for abortion—when the mother’s life is at risk. But still, it’s a controversial subject. What’s it like to live through such a situation? A mother’s love for her child is a unique, sacred and sacrificial love. I can’t imagine how it feels when circumstances threaten that bond. Yet against all odds, some mothers have placed the value of the life of their unborn baby above even their own.
Michelle Kingsfield was a successful news reporter, happily pregnant with her second child. As her pregnancy progressed, she discovered there were lumps on her neck that were rapidly growing. Michelle had previously been told the lumps were not cancerous, however at 12 weeks into her pregnancy, tests revealed that was not the case. She was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Her doctor stressed the severity of her situation, “You’re going to need chemotherapy and I don’t know what it means for your baby.” Heart-broken, Michelle held her stomach as she cried for her baby. She felt the diagnosis was a death sentence. While Michelle did not believe in abortion, she admits that she did briefly consider it. But she decided it was worth the risk to continue the pregnancy while enduring chemo. Michelle proceeded with a positive mental attitude, determined that both she and her baby would survive. She endured six rounds of chemotherapy over the next six months and then was blessed to deliver a healthy baby boy named Robert. One month later, she was declared cancer free.
Clint and Jessica Council were the proud parents to son, Aiden, when they found out they were expecting their second child. Their happiness experienced an excruciating blow when Jessica was diagnosed with a rare and severe form of throat cancer. Her doctors recommended an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, but told her she would lose the baby. It didn’t take long for Jessica to tell them no. “That baby came first,” says her mother, Kathy Rogers. Abortion was never a thought for Jessica and Clint. Sadly, the cancer took its toll and three months later, Jessica slipped into a coma. The doctors then delivered her baby born at 25 weeks, a little girl they named Jessie, in honor of her mother. Clint was in the delivery room and welcomed his daughter with the knowledge that his wife was gone. “The price I paid for her was very dear,” Clint says. But his faith remains. He says, “I want to live a testimony of God’s grace.” As the family continues to cope, baby Jessie remains a comforting reminder of Jessica’s selfless sacrifice.
In honor of Sanctity of Life Sunday (January 19, 2014), the stories of Michelle and Jessica will be featured on our special half-hour radio program called ''A Labor of Love.'' I encourage you to check with your local Christian radio station for airing times. You can also listen to the full program on our website. (http://www.lifeissues.org/specials/SOL_14/index.html ) You’ll want to hear firsthand the inspiring and touching stories of how these families faced tragedy with faith and hope.If you know of someone facing an unexpected diagnosis, the death of a loved one, a lingering illness or other adversity, it can be hard to know what to do or say to show your love and support. As a part of this special, we’re pleased to offer a new resource called "Help for Those in Pain."(http://www.lifeissues.org/specials/SOL_14/SOL-2014-HG3.pdf) It contains practical suggestions, scripture references and encouragement to help you reach out to others during difficult times. It’s our prayer that you can be a light in the darkness, revealing the value of each and every life.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
LifeNews.com Note: Bradley Mattes is the executive director of Life Issues Institute, a national pro-life educational group. Mattes is a veteran of the pro-life cause, with over 33 years of educational, political and humanitarian experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment