The Empire Strikes Back: China Assaults Home Churches
While persecution of Christians in the world’s most populous nation
has changed dramatically over the past three decades, it still occurs
on a regular basis. One human rights organization with contacts across
China recently revealed that recorded incidents against Christians,
including raids on house churches, arrests, and imprisonments, had risen
dramatically in 2012 compared with previous years. The Communist
government typically uses a more subtle approach than in past decades,
but still views home churches as a political movement to be carefully
controlled.
Pray for the
immediate safety and provision of believers in China; pray for courage
and strength of Chinese believers to first serve our heavenly Father,
and to not be intimidated by the will of man.
Pray for the Chinese government to recognize religious freedom as a fundamental human right in both word and deed.
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Murder of Christians Ignored as Nigeria Seeks Peace with Boko Haram
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has criticized the
proposed plan by the Sultan of Sokoto to bring a peace agreement between
Boko Haram and the Nigerian government. The Sultan suggested the
government grant 'total amnesty' to members of Boko Haram in exchange
for peace. This proposal seems to forget that the extremist group is
responsible for an estimated 3,000 murders, many of the victims being
Christians. How will justice be served if Boko Haram is given total
amnesty? What is to stop other extremist groups from following Boko
Haram's example?
Pray for those in power to act with wisdom and integrity in this situation, and for the will of God our Father to be carried out.
Pray for members of Boko Haram, that they would have radical encounters with the Holy Spirit and their hearts would be transformed.
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Mass Arrest and Torture of Christians in Libya
"What is going on in Libya?” Middle East analyst Raymond Ibrahim
asks in reference to the rising persecution of Christians in the
country. Four Christian foreigners were arrested in Benghazi on February
10. Three days later, two more Christians from Egypt were arrested, one
of whom, identified as Sherif Ramses, was reportedly tortured. Three
days after that, a seventh Christian, also from Egypt, was arrested.
Then, on February 27, at least 48 Christians were arrested (with some
reports placing the number at closer to 100), and some were reportedly
tortured. Days later, a Coptic Church was attacked in Benghazi and two
priests were assaulted. “It is becoming clear that these arrests are
increasingly less about actual Christian evangelism to Muslims, and more
about Muslim hostility to Christians,” Ibrahim writes.
Pray that
arrests and torture of Christians ceases immediately; pray for the
complete physical, mental and spiritual healing of those who have
experienced this horrific situation.
Pray for international pressure to bring safety to all Libya citizens.
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Christian Boys Convicted of Descrating Quran in Egypt
Two Christian boys accused of blasphemy in Egypt were found guilty
of “showing contempt for Islam” in court, but they will not face
imprisonment, Morning Star News reports. The boys had been held in a
juvenile prison since April 2012 for allegedly desecrating the Quran.
Attorney Karam Ghoubrial said the boys had been falsely charged and the
accusations against them were “all lies.”
Praise God that these two boys were released!
Pray that this
growing trend of blasphemy accusations comes to an immediate halt; that
the Holy Spirit will comfort Christians who are terrified of being
accused. Pray for greater international pressure to release anyone
wrongfully accused and imprisoned.
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Two Christians Imprisoned 50 Days in Iran
Shahrzad, a 25-year-old woman, and Sam, 27, have been held in
Tehran’s notorious Evin prison for more than 50 days, Bos News Life
reports. The Christians were reportedly charged with the "formation and
promotion of house churches and holding gatherings intended for
committing crimes." It is uncertain when they will be released. “Iranian
Christians say the detentions are aimed at intimidating the growing
house church movement and an attempt by the government to halt the
spread of Christianity in the country, where at least 100,000
evangelical believers have been reported,” reports Bos News Life.
Pray for the
safety of Shahrzad and Sam, that no harm will come to them during their
detainment; pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort them in their time of
need.
Pray that these
two are immediately released, and are not forced to be pawns in the
government’s game to intimidate churches, but rather, would their
faithfulness be a testimony to the power and faithfulness of Jesus
Christ.
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Eritrea Continues to Repress Christianity
Another group of Christians has been rounded up and imprisoned by
the Eritrean government. Scared of losing power, the government often
rounds up and imprisons groups it considers to be a threat, including
Christians. Why doesn't the world care what is happening in Eritrea? Is
it too removed from mainstream media?
Pray for the immediate release of wrongfully-imprisoned Christians and other religious minorities in Eritrea.
Pray for increased international pressure on Eritrea to recognize religious freedom as a basic human right in both word and deed.
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Providing assistance, advocacy and awareness to persecuted Christians with integrity towards God and our donors.
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"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of the destitute."
Proverbs 31:8
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