Raise Your Voice to
End Forced Church Closures
in Indonesia!
Since 2006, dozens of churches have been sealed shut by government
officials across Indonesia who fear pressure from radical Islamic
groups. As recently as March, hundreds of Indonesian Christians on the
outskirts Jakarta watched in utter dismay as authorities used heavy
machinery to tear down the church that they had been locked out after
more than 12 years of peaceful services.
Let those at the highest levels of Indonesia’s government know that
they cannot sit idly by while churches are shut down at the behest of
extremist groups. Sign our petition today!
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Christian Tortured by Islamists in Egypt Mosque
A mosque in suburban Cairo was used by Islamic hardliners to
terrorize a Christian and anti-Islamist protestors in suburban Cairo in
March. Amir Ayad was asked for his ID by who he thought were police.
Members of the Muslim Brotherhood hit him unconscious and Amir woke up
on the floor of the mosque. “Inside the mosque I was tortured, naked…my
hands were tied behind my waist. They came with thick wooden sticks and
metal rods and started to strongly hit my legs and arms in order to
break my bones,” Amir said. According to Amir, the facility was
installed in order to scare protestors who disagreed with the
Brotherhood’s policies, saying that he was beat alongside nine other
demonstrators. Christians and liberals are growing increasingly
concerned with the Muslim Brotherhood’s failure to protect religious
minorities.
Pray for complete healing of Amir, as well as the other captives attacked.
Pray for protection against further attacks.
Pray that the authorities will put an end to this atrocity and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
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Kidnapped Syrian Bishops Still Missing, Despite Reports Otherwise
Two Syrian bishops kidnapped on Monday by armed rebels in a village
near Aleppo are still missing, contradicting reports that the men had
been freed, Reuters reports. The bishops are the most senior church
leaders abducted in the conflict which has now killed more than 70,000
people across Syria.
Pray for the swift rescue of these two bishops, Paul Yazigi and Yohanna Ibrahim.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort their friends and families during this uncertain time.
Pray for peace in Syria.
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Christian Activist in Vietnam Blocked from Meeting U.S. Officials
A Christian human rights lawyer, Nguyen Van Dai, was blocked by
Vietnamese security agents from visiting with a high ranking U.S.
diplomat earlier this month. Although the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi had
invited Nguyen to visit, over 20 security officers and police came and
blocked the way to Nguyen's home. The incident is yet another indication
of just how much control the Vietnamese government exerts over citizens
who stand up to defend human rights and religious freedom.
Pray for
Nguyen, that he will not grow weary or discouraged by this persecution,
but be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to fight the good fight.
Pray that religious freedom will be recognized by Vietnam authorities in both word and deed.
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Total Amnesty for Boko Haram?
Recently, President Goodluck Jonathan called on the federal
government of Nigeria to set up a committee to consider whether Boko
Haram should be granted amnesty for crimes the group has committed
across Nigeria’s northern states. The announcement came on the heels of a
suicide bombing on a bus station in a Christian neighborhood likely
perpetrated by Boko Haram. As deadly attacks continue, Christians are
left dumbfounded and wondering why the government is considering
granting amnesty to the extremist group.
Pray for the
leadership of Nigeria, that those in power would act with integrity,
bringing justice and peace of mind to all of its citizens
Pray for Boko Haram to be labeled a terrorist organization, and be held accountable for their actions
Pray for Christians in Nigeria, that they would not walk in fear but in the knowledge that God is for them, not against them
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Pakistan Christian Family Hiding Amid Death Threats
Sadiq Masih Zafar, a Christian father, said that his family is
hiding after Islamic militants tried to abduct and kill one of his
daughters because they refuse to convert to Islam, BosNewsLife reports.
“Religious extremists brutally carry on their act without any problem as
they don't fear the law. The law enforcing agencies are helpless
against them making the religious minorities vulnerable," he said.
Pray for the safety and provision of Sadiq and his family.
Pray for
protection of Christians in Pakistan, especially for the protection of
Christian girls against abductions, forced marriages and forced
conversions.
Pray for religious freedom to be recognized in Pakistan in both policy and practice.
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Despite Suffering of Christians in Burma, EU Lifts Sanctions
International
Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the European Union (EU) has
announced it is lifting all remaining economic sanctions against Burma
despite regular incidents of violent discrimination against Christians
and other religious minorities. The EU and other Western governments had
maintained sanctions against the Burmese government for years due to
concerns over massive human rights violations until the nominally
civilian government promised to begin making reforms in 2010.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort the suffering Church in Burma.
Pray for those in authority to recognize the injustice Burmese Christians are experiencing, and act on their behalf.
Pray for Christianity to grow despite this persecution.
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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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