The Weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert
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-Pastor-Dale-Morgan-
Jan 7, 2012, 1:29:12 AM1/7/12
to Bible-Pro...@googlegroups.com
The Weekly
Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, January 5, 2012
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
-- John 15:18-19 - ESV
***********************************
In this week's edition: reports from Nigeria, Laos, China and Uganda.
***********************************
1. Christians warned by Muslim militants to leave Nigeria's north within days
(Sources: CNN, Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin)
On January 1, the militant Islamic group Boko Haram issued an ultimatum giving Christians living in northern Nigeria three days to leave the area amid a rising tide of violence. Boko Haram spokesman, Abul Qaqa, also said that fighters were ready to confront soldiers sent to the area under a state of emergency declared in parts of four states by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
Vowing to render Nigeria "ungovernable," Boko Haram targets anything that does not support its fundamentalist Islamist ends and jihadist means: universities, police, secular courts, Christian churches and even liberal mosques.
The state of emergency came after a string of attacks in late December, where churches, a state security building, and a mosque were bombed. By December 31, President Jonathan had closed Nigeria's borders with Chad and Niger Republic and declared the state of emergency in 15 hard-hit local government areas of Borno, Yobe, Plateau and Niger states, sending tanks and soldiers to patrol the streets.
Pray for those who were injured or who lost loved ones over Christmas. Pray the Lord will minister to them and help them overcome their present sufferings. Pray that those responsible will be brought to justice and that they will come to repentance and gain knowledge of Christ. Pray that God will frustrate the plans of the enemy (Nehemiah 4:15) so the current threat will come to nothing.
***********************************
2. Officials force Christians to recant in Laos
(Sources: Compass Direct News, Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom)
Officials forced Christians in a Lao village to give up their faith in order to bury a family member in the village graveyard. In Huey, Ad-Sapangthong district of Savannakhet Province, the village's eight Christian families quickly began to arrange a funeral for a woman named Wang who died on Christmas Day. On December 26, however, village officials ordered that her body be buried according to Buddhist funeral rites or be taken to a burial ground in Savannakhet city. Lacking the resources for a city burial, the 40 Christians reluctantly agreed. But the village monk then refused to carry out the ceremony because Wang was a Christian. With Wang's body already decomposing and officials demanding that they recant, the Christians verbally agreed to cease practising their faith in order to bury her in the village cemetery. Once the funeral was over, five of the families told church leaders in another city that they regretted their decision and that they would continue to worship God.
Meanwhile, authorities in Boukham village arrested eight Christian leaders on December 16 for gathering some 200 church members for a Christmas celebration. Officials have since moved seven of the leaders to an animal pen, have blocked visits from family members, and have banned direct delivery of food. The Christians are being held in wooden stocks, causing swollen and infected legs and excruciating pain.
Please pray the Lord will strengthen the faith of those who recanted and give them courage to stand boldly for Him. Ask Him to comfort them after this difficult trial. Pray that the believers being held will soon be released. Pray the Lord will grow His Church in Laos.
***********************************
3. Update: Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng remains imprisoned
(Source: ChinaAid)
For the first time since his most recent forced disappearance 20 months ago, the whereabouts of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has been confirmed. Gao Zhisheng's older brother, Gao Zhiyi, received written notification of Gao's incarceration in Shaya Prison in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in far western China. The notification was signed and dated by the prison on December 19.
Gao Zhisheng has been repeatedly kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities for defending the persecuted. He disappeared into police custody in April 2010, the most recent in a series of forced disappearances since his 2006 conviction on a subversion charge. On December 16, just days before his five-year probation period was to have ended, the Chinese government announced that it was sending him to prison for three years for violating his probation. It was the first word that he was still alive, but no information of his condition was released.
Thank the Lord that Gao's family has received word on his whereabouts. Pray the Lord will strengthen and sustain him and his family. Pray that Gao will be given the grace to exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute him (Matthew 5:43-48). Pray for his release.
***********************************
4. Muslim extremists in Uganda throw acid on church leader
(Source: Compass Direct News)
Islamic extremists threw acid on a church leader on Christmas Eve, leaving him with severe burns that have blinded one eye and threaten his sight in the other. Bishop Umar Mulinde, 37, who was previously a sheikh (Islamic teacher), was attacked when a man who claimed to be a Christian approached him.
"I heard him say in a loud voice, 'Pastor, pastor,' and as I made a turn and looked at him, he poured the liquid onto my face as others poured more liquid on my back and then fled away shouting, 'Allahu akbar ,'" Mulinde said. At last report, his face, neck and arms bore deep black scars from the acid and his lips were swollen. The wounds are so severe that he may need plastic surgery. Police have reportedly arrested one suspect.
Mulinde is married and has six children. He has faced several injuries and attacks from Muslims since his conversion to Christianity in 1993.
Pray the Lord will heal Mulinde's physical and emotional wounds. Pray that he will receive all the treatment he needs. Pray he will remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray that the perpetrators will repent and turn to Christ. Pray for those in authority who are dealing with this case.
***********************************
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, January 5, 2012
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
-- John 15:18-19 - ESV
***********************************
In this week's edition: reports from Nigeria, Laos, China and Uganda.
***********************************
1. Christians warned by Muslim militants to leave Nigeria's north within days
(Sources: CNN, Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin)
On January 1, the militant Islamic group Boko Haram issued an ultimatum giving Christians living in northern Nigeria three days to leave the area amid a rising tide of violence. Boko Haram spokesman, Abul Qaqa, also said that fighters were ready to confront soldiers sent to the area under a state of emergency declared in parts of four states by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
Vowing to render Nigeria "ungovernable," Boko Haram targets anything that does not support its fundamentalist Islamist ends and jihadist means: universities, police, secular courts, Christian churches and even liberal mosques.
The state of emergency came after a string of attacks in late December, where churches, a state security building, and a mosque were bombed. By December 31, President Jonathan had closed Nigeria's borders with Chad and Niger Republic and declared the state of emergency in 15 hard-hit local government areas of Borno, Yobe, Plateau and Niger states, sending tanks and soldiers to patrol the streets.
Pray for those who were injured or who lost loved ones over Christmas. Pray the Lord will minister to them and help them overcome their present sufferings. Pray that those responsible will be brought to justice and that they will come to repentance and gain knowledge of Christ. Pray that God will frustrate the plans of the enemy (Nehemiah 4:15) so the current threat will come to nothing.
***********************************
2. Officials force Christians to recant in Laos
(Sources: Compass Direct News, Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom)
Officials forced Christians in a Lao village to give up their faith in order to bury a family member in the village graveyard. In Huey, Ad-Sapangthong district of Savannakhet Province, the village's eight Christian families quickly began to arrange a funeral for a woman named Wang who died on Christmas Day. On December 26, however, village officials ordered that her body be buried according to Buddhist funeral rites or be taken to a burial ground in Savannakhet city. Lacking the resources for a city burial, the 40 Christians reluctantly agreed. But the village monk then refused to carry out the ceremony because Wang was a Christian. With Wang's body already decomposing and officials demanding that they recant, the Christians verbally agreed to cease practising their faith in order to bury her in the village cemetery. Once the funeral was over, five of the families told church leaders in another city that they regretted their decision and that they would continue to worship God.
Meanwhile, authorities in Boukham village arrested eight Christian leaders on December 16 for gathering some 200 church members for a Christmas celebration. Officials have since moved seven of the leaders to an animal pen, have blocked visits from family members, and have banned direct delivery of food. The Christians are being held in wooden stocks, causing swollen and infected legs and excruciating pain.
Please pray the Lord will strengthen the faith of those who recanted and give them courage to stand boldly for Him. Ask Him to comfort them after this difficult trial. Pray that the believers being held will soon be released. Pray the Lord will grow His Church in Laos.
***********************************
3. Update: Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng remains imprisoned
(Source: ChinaAid)
For the first time since his most recent forced disappearance 20 months ago, the whereabouts of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has been confirmed. Gao Zhisheng's older brother, Gao Zhiyi, received written notification of Gao's incarceration in Shaya Prison in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in far western China. The notification was signed and dated by the prison on December 19.
Gao Zhisheng has been repeatedly kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities for defending the persecuted. He disappeared into police custody in April 2010, the most recent in a series of forced disappearances since his 2006 conviction on a subversion charge. On December 16, just days before his five-year probation period was to have ended, the Chinese government announced that it was sending him to prison for three years for violating his probation. It was the first word that he was still alive, but no information of his condition was released.
Thank the Lord that Gao's family has received word on his whereabouts. Pray the Lord will strengthen and sustain him and his family. Pray that Gao will be given the grace to exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute him (Matthew 5:43-48). Pray for his release.
***********************************
4. Muslim extremists in Uganda throw acid on church leader
(Source: Compass Direct News)
Islamic extremists threw acid on a church leader on Christmas Eve, leaving him with severe burns that have blinded one eye and threaten his sight in the other. Bishop Umar Mulinde, 37, who was previously a sheikh (Islamic teacher), was attacked when a man who claimed to be a Christian approached him.
"I heard him say in a loud voice, 'Pastor, pastor,' and as I made a turn and looked at him, he poured the liquid onto my face as others poured more liquid on my back and then fled away shouting, 'Allahu akbar ,'" Mulinde said. At last report, his face, neck and arms bore deep black scars from the acid and his lips were swollen. The wounds are so severe that he may need plastic surgery. Police have reportedly arrested one suspect.
Mulinde is married and has six children. He has faced several injuries and attacks from Muslims since his conversion to Christianity in 1993.
Pray the Lord will heal Mulinde's physical and emotional wounds. Pray that he will receive all the treatment he needs. Pray he will remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray that the perpetrators will repent and turn to Christ. Pray for those in authority who are dealing with this case.
***********************************
-Pastor-Dale-Morgan-
Jan 12, 2012, 6:47:54 PM1/12/12
to Bible-Pro...@googlegroups.com
The Weekly
Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, January 12, 2012
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
-- John 15:18-19 - ESV
***********************************
In this week's edition: reports from Somalia, Nigeria, Indonesia
and Egypt.
***********************************
1. Convert from Islam whipped in public in Somalia
(Source: Compass Direct News)
A Somali convert from Islam was paraded before a cheering crowd recently and publicly flogged as a punishment for embracing a "foreign religion." Sofia Osman, a 28-year-old Christian from Janale city in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region, had been taken into custody by al Shabaab militants in November.
The public whipping was meant to mark her release. She received 40 lashes on December 22 while jeered by spectators. " was whipped 40 lashes ... but she didn't tell what other humiliations she had suffered while in the hands of the militants," an eyewitness said, adding that the whipping left her bleeding. "I saw her faint. I thought she had died, but soon she regained consciousness and her family took her away." The whipping was administered in front of hundreds of spectators after Sofia was released from her month-long custody in al Shabaab camps.
In the days after the punishment while Sofia was nursing her injuries at her family's home, she would not talk to anyone and looked dazed, a source close in touch with the family said. "Please pray for her quick recovery," the source added.
Pray the Lord will completely heal Sofia of all physical and emotional injuries. Ask the Lord to protect her from further harm. Pray that she will rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd walks with her through this difficult time (Psalm 23). Pray her faithful testimony will be used as a witness for the gospel. Pray for all Christians in Somalia.
***********************************
2. Radical Muslims kill 29 Christians in two days in Nigeria
(Source: International Christian Concern)
Members of the radical Islamic group, Boko Haram, killed 29 Christians in two days. Twenty Christians were gunned down on January 6 while holding a meeting to discuss ways to transport a body of a fellow Christian who was killed in an attack a day earlier. The martyrs in the January 5 attack were attending a worship service at Deeper Life Church in Gombe when the attack took place.
The killings followed a threat issued on January 1 by Boko Haram telling Christians to leave northern Nigeria within three days. The group fights for the implementation of a strict form of Shariah law all over Nigeria, including the southern region of Nigeria where Christians are the majority. The Nigerian government declared a state of emergency to contain anti-Christian violence.
Rev. James Wuye, a northern Nigerian church leader, has urged Nigerian Christians not to resort to revenge in the face of increasing attacks. He said, "I ask Christians in Nigeria that we should exercise restraint and pray that the God of Elijah will surely fight for us. And Christians should show love for their neighbours because that is what Jesus Christ teaches."
Pray the Lord will give Christians the grace and strength to resist taking up arms against their attackers. Pray the Lord will bring rest and peace to this troubled nation. Pray for those who have lost loved ones; may they be filled with the joy that comes from knowing that they will see them again at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Pray for the Nigerian government, the military and the members of Boko Haram.
***********************************
3. Anti-Christian incidents in Indonesia nearly doubled in 2011
(Source: Compass Direct News)
Acts of violence and intolerance against Christians in Indonesia almost doubled in 2011. The Indonesian Protestant Church Union counted 54 acts of violence and other violations against Christians in 2011, up from 30 in 2010. The number of such incidents against religious minorities in general also grew, from 198 in 2010 to 276 in 2011. The worst is perhaps yet to come if authorities continue to overlook the threat of extremism, said a representative from the Jakarta-based Wahid Institute, a Muslim organization that promotes tolerance.
Indonesia's hot-bed of extremism is West Java, the most populous province that includes the nation's capital city of Jakarta. This province alone witnessed 160 incidents against religious minorities. Churches in West Java, where there are approximately 520,000 Christians, also suffered the most last year. On Christmas Day, two churches in West Java's Bogor city bore the brunt of growing extremism. "Islamist vigilantes screamed and yelled at us and threatened us, as we sought to hold a Christmas service," a leader of the Gereja Kristen Indonesia told Compass.
Pray believers will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Ask the Lord to continue to grow His church in number, wisdom, understanding and faithfulness. Pray for those who oppose the gospel in Indonesia.
***********************************
4. Update: One year later, no answers to Egypt church bombing
(Sources: AP, International Christian Concern)
Just over a year ago, Amira Maurice was attending a New Year's Eve Mass in the Saints Church in Egypt's Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria with her fiancé, their marriage set for only a few months away. Then a bomb blast ripped through the church. Now, the 28-year-old pharmacist is in Germany undergoing the latest in a string of surgeries to save her leg and deal with her burns. Her fiancé is dead, one of the 21 people killed in the suicide bombing targeting the church
The one year anniversary of the bombing of the Saints Church in Alexandria has passed with no new insights to the case. Named as Egypt's most dramatic anti-Christian attack, the bombing killed 21 people and wounded many more. While a few suspects were detained, they have since been released and no other inroads have been made in the investigation.
Pray for those who continue to grieve the loss of loved ones. Pray for the wounded who continue to heal from the attack. Pray that the perpetrators will be located and that the authorities will justly investigate the event. Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Egypt.
***********************************
***********************************
1. Convert from Islam whipped in public in Somalia
(Source: Compass Direct News)
A Somali convert from Islam was paraded before a cheering crowd recently and publicly flogged as a punishment for embracing a "foreign religion." Sofia Osman, a 28-year-old Christian from Janale city in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region, had been taken into custody by al Shabaab militants in November.
The public whipping was meant to mark her release. She received 40 lashes on December 22 while jeered by spectators. " was whipped 40 lashes ... but she didn't tell what other humiliations she had suffered while in the hands of the militants," an eyewitness said, adding that the whipping left her bleeding. "I saw her faint. I thought she had died, but soon she regained consciousness and her family took her away." The whipping was administered in front of hundreds of spectators after Sofia was released from her month-long custody in al Shabaab camps.
In the days after the punishment while Sofia was nursing her injuries at her family's home, she would not talk to anyone and looked dazed, a source close in touch with the family said. "Please pray for her quick recovery," the source added.
Pray the Lord will completely heal Sofia of all physical and emotional injuries. Ask the Lord to protect her from further harm. Pray that she will rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd walks with her through this difficult time (Psalm 23). Pray her faithful testimony will be used as a witness for the gospel. Pray for all Christians in Somalia.
***********************************
2. Radical Muslims kill 29 Christians in two days in Nigeria
(Source: International Christian Concern)
Members of the radical Islamic group, Boko Haram, killed 29 Christians in two days. Twenty Christians were gunned down on January 6 while holding a meeting to discuss ways to transport a body of a fellow Christian who was killed in an attack a day earlier. The martyrs in the January 5 attack were attending a worship service at Deeper Life Church in Gombe when the attack took place.
The killings followed a threat issued on January 1 by Boko Haram telling Christians to leave northern Nigeria within three days. The group fights for the implementation of a strict form of Shariah law all over Nigeria, including the southern region of Nigeria where Christians are the majority. The Nigerian government declared a state of emergency to contain anti-Christian violence.
Rev. James Wuye, a northern Nigerian church leader, has urged Nigerian Christians not to resort to revenge in the face of increasing attacks. He said, "I ask Christians in Nigeria that we should exercise restraint and pray that the God of Elijah will surely fight for us. And Christians should show love for their neighbours because that is what Jesus Christ teaches."
Pray the Lord will give Christians the grace and strength to resist taking up arms against their attackers. Pray the Lord will bring rest and peace to this troubled nation. Pray for those who have lost loved ones; may they be filled with the joy that comes from knowing that they will see them again at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Pray for the Nigerian government, the military and the members of Boko Haram.
***********************************
3. Anti-Christian incidents in Indonesia nearly doubled in 2011
(Source: Compass Direct News)
Acts of violence and intolerance against Christians in Indonesia almost doubled in 2011. The Indonesian Protestant Church Union counted 54 acts of violence and other violations against Christians in 2011, up from 30 in 2010. The number of such incidents against religious minorities in general also grew, from 198 in 2010 to 276 in 2011. The worst is perhaps yet to come if authorities continue to overlook the threat of extremism, said a representative from the Jakarta-based Wahid Institute, a Muslim organization that promotes tolerance.
Indonesia's hot-bed of extremism is West Java, the most populous province that includes the nation's capital city of Jakarta. This province alone witnessed 160 incidents against religious minorities. Churches in West Java, where there are approximately 520,000 Christians, also suffered the most last year. On Christmas Day, two churches in West Java's Bogor city bore the brunt of growing extremism. "Islamist vigilantes screamed and yelled at us and threatened us, as we sought to hold a Christmas service," a leader of the Gereja Kristen Indonesia told Compass.
Pray believers will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Ask the Lord to continue to grow His church in number, wisdom, understanding and faithfulness. Pray for those who oppose the gospel in Indonesia.
***********************************
4. Update: One year later, no answers to Egypt church bombing
(Sources: AP, International Christian Concern)
Just over a year ago, Amira Maurice was attending a New Year's Eve Mass in the Saints Church in Egypt's Mediterranean coastal city of Alexandria with her fiancé, their marriage set for only a few months away. Then a bomb blast ripped through the church. Now, the 28-year-old pharmacist is in Germany undergoing the latest in a string of surgeries to save her leg and deal with her burns. Her fiancé is dead, one of the 21 people killed in the suicide bombing targeting the church
The one year anniversary of the bombing of the Saints Church in Alexandria has passed with no new insights to the case. Named as Egypt's most dramatic anti-Christian attack, the bombing killed 21 people and wounded many more. While a few suspects were detained, they have since been released and no other inroads have been made in the investigation.
Pray for those who continue to grieve the loss of loved ones. Pray for the wounded who continue to heal from the attack. Pray that the perpetrators will be located and that the authorities will justly investigate the event. Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Egypt.
***********************************
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