September 1, 2009 – October 31, 2009
Introduction by Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan
What gives us perspective in a world of inequity?
Our teleconferences with ISJC members of our global United Nations team always conclude with prayer requests. The past few months we have regularly heard the same request from our ISJC UN representative in Nairobi – Lieut Colonel Julius Mukongo, who lives the African proverb: ‘When we pray, we move our feet’. He asks us to pray for rain – rain that refreshes the land so that it can produce food.
In those moments we don’t think of climate change as a social justice issue. We feel the dryness of the land and see the footprints in the dust of a people who look up into a cloudless sky with hungry tummies, praying for rain.
May the prayers emanating from ISJC reach across to the cloudless skies of Kenya. May the rains fall on Kenya out of faithful and urgent prayer.
Please pray with us for this and on the following topics:
With grateful hearts, we give thanks that:
- The Social Justice Day of The Salvation Army Leaders Conference brought over 40 inquiries. Questions arose beyond our presentations but in a desire to lead under the Principles of Justice.
Pray: That inspiration following the presentations become concrete conviction and action.
- The meeting with the United Nations Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-moon and General Shaw Clifton, Commissioner Helen Clifton and ISJC was thought-provoking. We thank God that he was present in the room our mission was both respected and trusted.
Pray: That our application to the UN for elevated status is accepted by 2010.
We also pray for these coming events:
- August 31 – Sept 2, 2009 –
International Moral and Social Issues Council
Pray: That issues in our world are discussed at a depth that creates Salvation Army Positional Statements with faith that is translated into action. ‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world.’
- September 13, 2009 –
Ocean Grove, New Jersey: Service on ‘Social Justice’ in the ‘tabernacle’ where ISJC is the chosen speaker
- September 20, 2009 –
The Salvation Army Peace Sunday: Pursuing the Peace of Christ for relationships to be transformed concerning: racism, poverty, violence and crime
Pray: That reconciliation among God’s people will remove divisions and hostilities,marking relationships among Christians with love, joy, unity and peace; for conflict of greed to become reconciliation of generosity; for God to intervene in wars, restraining spiritual forces of evil, subduing terrorism and protecting the lives of those affected.
- September 30-October 6, 2009 – ISJC International Team Meeting in New York
Pray: For a visa for Lieut Colonel Julius Mukongo from Kenya; for the Greater New York Officer Gathering during this time at the ISJC on Jesus and Justice; for a greater understanding as a team to fulfil our five strategic goals.
- October 13-25, 2009 – Trip to Kenya and South Africa by Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan
Pray: For travel of safety and strength; for teaching that becomes culturally and respectfully relevant. Pray that the challenges of daily African life may find new discoveries of forward action.
The ISJC reminds itself with both accountability and encouragement of the mission-life we are reaching for. Dr Jim Read, our team member in Winnipeg, Canada, shared this quote with us:
‘People are, if anything, more touchy about being thought silly than they are about being thought unjust.’ E. B. White
Urgent Prayer Request
As you may know the ISJC with others has been involved in conversation with the leadership of Iran on issues of human rights especially religious freedom. Please pray for the release of two Iranian women, who are on trial for apostasy and are being pressured to recant their faith in Jesus Christ. The two Iranian Christian women, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30), continue to be held in Evin prison in Iran because of their Christian faith, unfairly labeled as ‘anti-government activists’, because of the hostility of the government towards practising Christians. Our sisters Maryam and Marzieh since March 5, 2009 have suffered greatly while in prison, suffering solitary confinement, ill health and interrogations for many hours. Throughout the interrogations they reply to particular questions: ‘We love Jesus’, ‘We have no regrets’, ‘We will not deny our faith’, ‘If we come out of prison we want to do so with honour’.
Please continue to pray for the safety of Maryam and Marzieh. Pray they will continue to experience the strengthening presence of God and that they will be a witness of the love and grace of Christ in Evin prison.
N.B. For updates Google the names Maryam and Marzieh
M. Christine MacMillan
Commissioner
Director, International Social Justice Commission