Muslims are our neighbours. Jesus instructed us to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matt. 22:39). International '30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World' started in 1993, and every year the number of Christians using their resources has increased. A new illustrated prayer guide booklet is published every year, with daily readings that focus on various topics, people groups and geographical areas of the Islamic world. Each day's subject focus is followed by prayer points. The booklet also features informative background articles and resources for involvement. We are in the midst of the greatest turning of Muslims to Christ in fourteen centuries of Muslim-Christian interaction. More than 80% of all the Muslim movements to Christ in history have occurred in the past two to three decades (a period which coincides with the modern prayer movement for Muslims). Praying Christians can download a pdf version ‘30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World’ for their personal use at:

With the calling of federal elections on 2 July, there will be a season of prayer up to that date. The Australian Prayer Network will be providing weekly prayer points from the web address below. The following points are from that list: i) Cry out to God for His righteousness, just nature, and ruler-ship to be established in Australia through the government, as they are in heaven. ii) In the light of His perfect righteousness, let Australians acknowledge sin and failures and in repentance and humility cry out for His mercy to be extended to the nation through the outcome of this election. iii) Approach His throne of grace with confidence, praying that the nation will receive mercy and grace in our time of need, and the Church in Australia will be like Esther finding favour and approval with our King so that He will hear and answer our prayers. iv) Pray that God will give His Church the prayers of Jesus so that we pray in righteousness, unity, and maturity.

The World Council of Churches is still complaining about the interrogation and treatment of its staff and professional colleagues at Ben Gurion International Airport a month ago. Some were interrogated repeatedly for up to eight hours, and Israeli officials accused them of arriving for an entirely different reason than for their stated purpose: a meeting on climate change hosted by member churches in the region. They were threatened with a ten-year ban on entry to Israel and being listed on Interpol watch lists; then they were detained in prison-like conditions for up to three nights before being deported. Many of the participants in the working group meeting had little or no previous experience of visiting Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In the light of this intimidating and traumatic experience, the WCC is carefully reviewing its procedures and advice to participants in such ecumenical visits and meetings, to eliminate ambiguities and to avoid misunderstandings. Pray for peace and justice for all people in the region.

For the first time since the formation of a transitional government of national unity on 29 April, the South Sudan leaders have met to review the implementation of the August 2015 peace deal. On Tuesday in Juba, President Salva Kiir and his first and second deputies were shown on national television shaking hands and meeting for discussions. The brief broadcast reported that the three leaders reviewed the implementation of the deal, with emphasis on a deteriorating economy. There were no details of the discussions’ outcome. There are many contentious issues - the number of states, containment of forces, reconstitution of the national legislative assembly, and more. No donors have pledged financial support to the new government, citing lack of commitment to peace by the former warring parties. Pray for both sides to humble themselves and allow the civil war to end. Meanwhile Christians are still being killed by bombs: see