The Archbishop of Canterbury has invited all Primates to a meeting next week to reflect and pray about the future Anglican Church. The agenda is likely to include: -religiously-motivated violence -the protection of children and vulnerable adults -the environment -human sexuality. The meeting will be an opportunity to review structures of the Anglican Communion and decide on an approach to the next Lambeth Conference. There are factions within the Anglican community worldwide. Some believe there is a need to replace it with a much looser grouping, allowing North America, which recognises and encourages gay marriage, and the African churches (led by Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria), which are against all homosexual activity, to separate. Justin Welby suggested there is a need to consider recent developments, look afresh at ways of working in unity while paying attention to past developments. Pray for the church to move forward proclaiming the gospel, making disciples and living in holiness in spite of pressures that vary greatly between Provinces.

Pray: for the authority and discernment God has given His church to interpret Scripture correctly, allow the Holy Spirit to guide and do the things that Jesus did to remain undiluted and unchanged. (Is.1:2)
More: www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5613/archbishop-of-canterbury-calls-for-primates-gathering

Christians in some nations have faced intense persecution over the Christmas period in the past. Pray for protection of Christians and churches from bombings, beatings and imprisonment. Over the Christmas and New Year period of 2014/15 three states in Nigeria experienced bombings, beheadings and beatings by militants, resulting in dozens of Christians being killed. On Christmas day last year in Iran, nine Christians were arrested in a raid on a house, and the next day a prominent Assyrian pastor was arrested at his home, along with about fourteen others present for a Christmas celebration. Pray for Christians in places like North Korea and Saudi Arabia to know that God will strengthen His people there and help them find fellowship.

Pray: for God to remove all fear and strengthen them with His peace. (Ps.46:1)
More: www.releaseinternational.org/persecution-intensifies-over-christmas-and-new-year/

On Tuesday the Nigerian army freed 192 children and 138 women from Boko Haram's Sambisa forest stronghold in the volatile northeast. It was not clear if any of the Chibok schoolgirls were among those rescued. Troops also killed thirty suspected jihadists and seized a cache of arms and ammunition in the area. The freed hostages were moved to a camp for displaced persons in nearby Adamawa State. The army also said four Boko Haram suspects on a suicide bombing mission to Gubula town in Adamawa State were ambushed and killed by government troops. Some weapons, unexploded ordnances, mortar bombs, and cash were recovered from the suspects. In recent months the Nigerian military has claimed a string of successes against Boko Haram. The air force said on Tuesday that it had launched strikes on the group's vehicle and fuel depots ‘in a renewed drive to further degrade its assets’.

Praise: God for these encouraging successes against the six-year insurgency. May terror end soon in Nigeria. (Ps.118:25)
More: news.yahoo.com/nigerian-troops-rescue-338-people-held-boko-haram-094437751.html

Not long after IS terrorists hit Paris, Boko Haram terrorists hit Nigeria. An explosion hit a fruit and vegetable stand in the city of Yola in northeastern Nigeria. Thirty-two people lost their lives and eighty were wounded, according to reports from the Red Cross and the National Emergency Management Agency. The attack bore all the hallmarks of Boko Haram, who have killed thousands in Nigeria and surrounding countries in its quest to enforce Sharia law. Just as President Obama had commented that IS had been ‘contained’ days before the Paris attacks, a few days before the Nigerian attacks President Muhammadu Buhari visited Yola and stated that Boko Haram was losing strength and would soon be defeated. Both attacks serve as a reminder that terrorism remains a real threat that must be addressed. According to Christian Today, Boko Haram began its military campaign in 2009 and has recently joined IS as its African arm.

Pray: for all those affected by this latest attack, especially those who have lost relatives. Pray for God to protect Nigeria’s public places, bus stations, markets and churches. (Is.31:5a)
More: www.christianheadlines.com/blog/boko-haram-attack-kills-dozens-in-nigeria.html

Twelve fathers of the 200+ schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram from Chibok spoke out about the dangers their families face on a daily basis, and shared their pain of not knowing what has happened to their daughters. They are refusing to give up hope that one day they will return to them. One of the fathers, when asked, 'Where do you think your daughter might be?' said, 'She is in the hands of God'. It was a sentiment echoed by all the parents. They are not going to think about any other reality. Despite the media attention on Chibok, the whole region remains under heavy threat by the Islamic militants. Some of the fathers sneak out at night to be the first line of defence against Boko Haram and to protect their families. The challenge to international organisations is that Chibok is incredibly dangerous to reach. Earlier this month it was reported that one of the schoolgirls was pregnant and carrying diseases by Boko Haram terrorists. See:

Pray: for the girls suffering greatly under the jihadists, for the families in despair, for the communities living in fear. Pray that the government will know what to do next. (Is.25:3,4a)
More: www.christianpost.com/news/chibok-schoolgirls-nigeria-bring-back-our-girls-148229/

  1. Nigeria: Abuja hit by more bomb blasts
  2. Nigeria: 500 days since Chibok abductions
  3. Nigeria: Clergy conduct more funerals than weddings
  4. Nigeria: Another bomb blast as Boko Haram has a new leader

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