News and Prayer for the Persecuted

7/21/11 Egypt (ICC) Christians, Moderates Push Onward for Freedoms in Egypt - Protestors numbering in the thousands are pushing onward in their 14th day of demonstrations in Tahrir Square in an ongoing bid for immediate transition to civilian rule. Labeled the ‘days of warning,’ the protests that began July 8 condemn interim Prime Minister Essam Sharaf for failing to implement much needed reforms six months after his appointment. Most protestors believe the moment of opportunity to repeal Egypt’s repressive laws will be lost once free elections are held, as Islamist-based parties are expected to take the majority seat in parliament. Egypt’s military is believed by many leftists and moderates to be backing the Muslim Brotherhood. “There’s no doubt they’re allied,” said Coptic activist Wagih Yacoub. “If they weren’t, then the military would be supporting the people’s will to draft a new constitution before the parliamentary elections are held. Instead, there will be elections first so that the Muslim Brotherhood will have more leverage in developing an Islamist-leaning constitution.” “The Muslim Brotherhood is the primary party insisting that elections be held before the constitution is drafted,” reiterated Coptic scholar Magdi Khalil. “Other parties support immediate constitutional reform. So why is it that the military council is stalling? The obvious answer is that there's a deal between the Brotherhood and the military.” “Copts are protesting very loudly,” said Wagih Yacoub. “Copts and moderates together; we all fear an Islamist constitution and an Islamic state. We are protesting for our freedoms – freedom from the military council and freedom from the Islamic agenda that the [Muslim] Brotherhood will use to dictate Egyptian law.” Full Story Pray that the fears and needs of the Egyptian Christians are heard and taken into serious consideration as Egypt begins its rebuilding. Pray that the Father would thwart every plan of the Muslim Brotherhood to gain further influence and control in Egypt.

7/21/11 Somalia, Ethiopia (MNN) Refugee Camps Overflow Because of Mass Exodus from Ethiopia and Somalia - Refugee camps in Mozambique are overflowing with refugees from Somalia and Ethiopia fleeing persecution, war, drought, and famine. The worst drought in 60 years coupled with war and persecution has led to this major movement of refugees from Somalia and Ethiopia. Fortunately, with many fleeing with only the clothes on their backs, one ministry (Food for the Hungry) has stepped in to build an overflow camp. Food for the Hungry is pairing humanitarian aid with evangelism, encouraging Christian refugees who have left everything they own and ministering the Gospel to the hurting and the lost. Full Story Pray for the refugees to be met with food to nourish their spirits as well as their bodies. Pray for the environmental, political, and spiritual conditions to improve in Ethiopia and Somalia.

7/20/11 Vietnam (Charisma) Communist-sanctioned Church in Vietnam Celebrated While Brutal Persecution Continues - This week, the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (ECVN) celebrated 100 years of ministry since the Christian and Missionary Alliance began its outreach to Vietnam. While the celebration boasted of church growth, countless believers in illegal house churches continue to be arrested, tortured, and even killed for their faith. Many believers openly choose not to join the ECVN and other state-sanctioned churches at the risk of such persecution because they disagree with the communist regime's control of sanctioned churches and choose not to compromise their faith. It is not uncommon for local authorities to attempt to force Vietnamese believers to sign papers renouncing their faith or joining the state-sanctioned church through force, manipulation, or deprivation of rights. Full Story Pray for the strength and courage of the underground church in Vietnam as they continue to endure daily abuse and persecution at the hands of local authorities. Praise God for those people who have been genuinely brought to faith in Christ through the ministry of the Christian and Missionary Alliance and pray that they do not forget their suffering brothers and sisters.

7/20/11 Saudi Arabia (CSW) Eritrean Christian Faces Deportation from Saudi Arabia for Preaching the Gospel - Saudi Arabia has decided to deport an Eritrean Christian who was facing a possible death penalty in Saudi Arabia for preaching the gospel. Saudi police arrested Eyob Mussie for proselytising in February. Though initial reports said that Mussie would be executed, we have now learned that he will be deported to Eritrea. Unfortunately, though Mussie will escape the death penalty in Saudi Arabia - he is not out of harm's way. An estimated 3,000 Christians are currently imprisoned in the worst conditions in Eritrea. Most are subjected to severe torture, and many are actually kept in shipping containers. It is highly probable that Mussie will be detained, imprisoned, and tortured on his return to Eritrea. Full Story Pray that the Saudi government will reconsider its decision and send Mussie to a safe country for asylum. Pray that the Father will draw close to Mussie during this frightening time and grant him strength, vision, and wisdom.

7/19/11 Iraq (DeseretNews) Christianity Struggles to Survive in Iraq - "Iraq is a classic example of a church that is killed over time. The church will probably cease to exist within my lifetime." This sentiment, shared by many in and outside of Iraq, was expressed by Herman Teule, the chair of the Institute of Eastern Christian Studies at the Netherlands Radboud University Nijmegen. His estimate is not unfounded. In 2003, there were about 1 million Christians in Iraq. Now there are about 300,000. Historian Philip Jenkins, who wrote "The Lost History of Christianity: The Thousand-Year Golden Age of the Church in the Middle East, Africa and Asia — and How it Died," explained how it could happen: "What kills a church is persecution. What kills a church is armed forced, usually in the interest of another religion or an antireligious ideology, and sometimes that may mean the destruction or removal of a particular ethnic community that practices Christianity." Full Story Pray that the Father would preserve a remnant of authentic believers in Iraq to grow deep roots in Him and continue to preach the Gospel in the face of persecution. Pray that the Father would strengthen, encourage, and comfort the believers who have been forced to flee their homes and who have been separated from their families through death or displacement.

7/18/11 Mexico (ChristianPost) Crime Wave Targets Christian Communities in Mexico - While most never think of Mexico as a country where Christians are persecuted, the National Fraternity of Evangelical Churches has reported that at least 100 pastors have been kidnapped during the current president's term. Prevalent and growing crime in the country has been targeted primarily at Christians - including young people being treated at Christian rehabilitation centers. On April 10, evangelical pastor Josue Santiago Ramirez was kidnapped in the middle of a Sunday service in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan. His kidnappers demanded a ransom equivalent to $1.7 million dollars and would still not guarantee to return him alive. In the midst of this darkness, evangelical leaders have reported that 151 former murderers and kidnappers have turned to Christ and are now ministering to prisoners in Juarez. Full Story Praise God for the 151 lives He has already saved and pray that their work among prisoners would bring continued fruit. Pray for the repentance of the members of organized crime in Mexico that they might find Christ and His righteousness.

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