Nigeria (MNN) ― Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in parts of the country following attacks from the Islamist group Boko Haram.

Boko Haram means “Western education is a sin.” The group is pushing to establish Sharia law and has been the source of explosive discontent over the last few years. They have been carrying out increasingly deadly attacks throughout 2011, including an August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in Abuja and Christmas violence that triggered fear and anger.

Focus on the Family launches its “Be a Voice for Life Campaign” this month as part of a yearlong effort to promote the dignity of human life at all stages. The emphasis during the first quarter of the campaign is preborn babies.

Besides being the Year of the Dragon in China, 2012 is full of global observances. World Peace Day was Jan. 1, World Rabies Day is Sept. 22 and the World Day for Laboratory Animals (huh?) is April 24. There is also Global Hand-washing Day (Oct. 15), Star Wars Day (May 4), International Cat Day (March 1), and—for all Johnny Depp fans—International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19).

I don’t know who comes up with these odd celebrations, but I’d like to add one more. Can we declare 2012 the Year of Discipleship?

David Vega, a Church of God pastor in Miami was the catalyst for a prayer gathering that drew 20,000 to a prayer celebration, despite the threat of rain. Thousands gathered to pray in the under-churched, cosmopolitan city, ripe with Santería – the syncretism of Christianity with elements of African and Caribbean witchcraft.

BELLFLOWER, Calif., Jan. 4, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ — As the award-winning prolife movie pushes 2 million views on YouTube, Stephen Kendrick – Producer of Fireproof & Courageous said, “I am so glad I took the time to watch ‘180.’ It is gutsy and very powerful.”

Christians in India celebrated Christmas under the threat of violence. While there were isolated incidents reported, nothing on the scale of the Orissa pogrom of 2008 emerged.

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman of Stamford, Conn., unleashed a crescendo of complaint when he opined that popular Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow might engender violence against Muslims, gays and illegal immigrants by reciting quiet, Christian prayers on the sidelines of NFL games.

The 2012 Seek God for the City booklet is now available for purchase. The booklet is being offered this year in a partnership with Church of God Prayer Ministries and Pathway Press. Again, it has a special Church of God prayer ministries section.

At the threshold of this New Year, people everywhere are concerned. Escalating political, economic and social unrest have caused many, even believers, to become perplexed and fearful about the future. Jesus warned us that before His return, perilous times would come. But thank God, He has provided a way for us to not only survive but even thrive during even the most difficult of times. Allow me to illustrate.