Escalating insecurity for Christians in Egypt

Nancy and Christine were kidnapped in 2011.
Pray that increased persecution in Egypt will result in
increased boldness among believers (Acts 4:29-31).
(Photo: FrontPage Magazine) 

By Elizabeth Kendal, Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin

Islamisation is advancing across Egypt post-Mubarak, facilitated by the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi ultra-fundamentalist Muslims. As the Islamic order is established, Christians are reduced to second-class citizens without fundamental human rights, their lives dependent on their total submission to the Islamic order.

These crimes are being committed with impunity, in accordance with Shariah. Thus Christians are finding their security is deteriorating dramatically and rapidly.

Escalating violence, theft and extortion

On January 20, a Muslim mob chanting “Allahu Akbar” went on a pogrom, attacking and torching properties belonging to Copts in the village of Rahmaniya-Kebly, Nag Hammadi, in Upper (southern) Egypt's volatile Qena Province.

According to Mary Abdelmassih of the Assyrian International News Agency, security forces were present but reportedly did not intervene and the fire brigade turned up 90 minutes late. Miraculously, nobody was killed or injured.

It is understood the pogrom started with a Muslim suggesting that a Coptic-owned hut be torched to make way for a mosque. This was no joke nor idle threat, with the trend towards escalating incidents of Muslim appropriation of Coptic properties for the benefit of the Muslim community.

Escalating kidnap, rape and forced Islamisation

Hundreds of Christian girls are forcibly Islamised every year in Egypt. As Coptic activist Mark Ebeid explains, the Salafi ultra-fundamentalist Muslims “believe strongly that converting a Christian Infidel is in some ways like earning a ticket to paradise – not to mention the earthly remuneration they get from the Saudis.”

Generally, the Christian girls are kidnapped and raped over many days. During this time they are brainwashed to believe they could never return home because of the shame they would bring on their families. The girls are then married off to Islamists and accepted by the Muslim community. The Christian parents frantically searching for their abducted daughters are obstructed at every turn.

Please pray specifically that:

• the Holy Spirit will draw Egypt's wounded, anxious Christians ever closer to him.
• Egypt's Christians will learn to look to and depend on the LORD; may He answer their cries and may the devil have no victory over them.
• God will reveal himself in Egypt as the One who judges, rules, compensates, loves and saves. (Isaiah 40:10,11 ESV)

For more information on Egypt’s suffering Christians, visit the Egypt Country Report.

Regime change in Syria bad news for Christians

Please pray for Christians in Syria.

A regime change in Syria would almost certainly have negative effects on Christians, reports our sister mission, VOM USA.

The Syrian uprising is "not about 'democracy' as the West knows it," wrote Elisabeth Kendal in the Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin. "It is about restoring [Sunni Muslim domination], Arab hegemony and the Islamic order to Syria."

During the uprising, Syrian Christians have been forced from their homes and Christian businesses burned. Protestors at one event reportedly chanted, "The Alawites to the grave and the Christians to Beirut."

While VOM-supported evangelists have long faced harassment and other difficulties while sharing the gospel, many fear that a change in Syria's leadership could raise anti-Christian persecution to levels seen in Iran.

Please pray for the protection and perseverance of God's children in Syria. To learn more about the trials Christians face in Syria, please visit our Syria Country Report.

Christmas: The day the balance of power shifted irreversibly

A devotional by Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate and a member of the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission. 

After rescuing Jacob's/Israel's descendants from slavery in Egypt, God brokered a covenant with them at Sinai, promising to be their faithful God if they would just trust and obey him. Thus, God's protection was dependent on the people's faithfulness. The trouble was the covenant required perfect faithfulness from every individual: thus it was too difficult for the people to keep, for sin reigned.

When God agreed to let the people have a king, the king became God's “vassal,” standing before God as the people's representative head. From that point on, God's protection was dependent on the king's faithfulness.
The trouble was kings, like commoners, were flawed, fallible and sinful by nature: they routinely let their people down, for sin reigned.

To solve the problems of sin and fallible kings, God promised “Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14; 9:1-7). Jesus Christ, son of David, Son of God, is HE (Matthew 1: 23). He was born a king (Matthew 2:2). He lived a sinless life of perfect obedience (Hebrews 4:15), thereby totally fulfilling the requirements of the covenant on behalf of his subjects. Then he died a king (John 19:19). As the “Lamb of God,” he paid the penalty for the sins of all who, through faith, would become his subjects (Matthew 1:21).

Having secured salvation, Jesus was then glorified by the Father who raised him to life and exalted him to the highest place. From “the throne of his father David,” this King Jesus now reigns forever, for “of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).

“He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill [have supremacy over] all things.” (Ephesians 4:10 ESV)

The coming of Immanuel heralded the beginning of the end for the forces of evil that have reigned in this world. Though Jesus won the decisive battle over sin and death at the cross, the defeated powers have not yet been eliminated and are resisting their inevitable end with everything they can muster.

“They [the combined powers of the world] will make war on the Lamb [Jesus Christ], and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17: 14 ESV)

As violent persecution escalates, as Christian security deteriorates and as religious liberty declines globally – undeniable facts – it is imperative that we “take heart” (John 16:33), remembering that Immanuel's kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36) and “cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 13:26-29). We, who through faith belong to HIM, are eternally secure.

It is also imperative that we never give up. For it was out of love for the world that God gave his only son (John 3:16), so that through him all the peoples of the world might be blessed (Genesis 12:3). The times in which we live are times of immense spiritual conflict, for God is in the process of bringing down all false gods and defeated enemies (Psalm 110:1). Yet ultimately all idols will be discarded and the true Saviour, Jesus Christ, will alone be exalted (Isaiah 2:10-21). As the battles rage, the world's greatest need, though it rejects it, is that the Church, God's instrument of blessing, be upheld in prayer. It is only through the strength provided by our glorious and victorious reigning King Jesus – strength he gives in answer to prayer – will these ongoing battles be turned back at the gate (Isaiah 28:5,6; Zechariah 4:6). Though she be assailed on every side, the Church must continue to preach the Gospel of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ, the hope of the world.

For the promise is this: the world will finally recognise HIM (see Isaiah 2:2-4; Psalm 22:27,28).

Yes, the coming of Immanuel marked the moment when the balance of power in the world shifted irreversibly! No wonder the angels rejoiced (Luke 2:8-14) – they understood!

May this knowledge – of who Jesus is and what happened at Christmas – lead us to rejoice AND inspire us to pray.

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.” (Revelation 19:6b ESV)

Boko Haram attacks nine churches in Nigeria

Rev. David Usman was killed by
members of Boko Haram in a
separate incident earlier this year.
Photo: Compass Direct News

On November 4, al-Qaeda affiliate Boko Haram launched attacks in Damaturu and Potiskum in Yobe State and in Maiduguri, Borno State, reports the Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin.

The death toll from the coordinated assaults presently stands at 150 and is expected to rise. Nine churches were targeted, along with mosques, a bank, an anti-terrorist court, police stations, and army posts. Boko Haram spokesman Abul-Qaqa has reportedly stated, "More attacks are on the way."

In Damaturu's mostly Christian New Jerusalem district, six churches were bombed. According to one resident, "The whole city is traumatised." Nigeria's The Nation reported on November 7 that "in spite their churches being burnt, Christians in Damaturu yesterday defied the security panic and held their Sunday service in open air at the premises of their burnt churches."

Please pray!

• Thank the Lord for the great unity and faithfulness displayed by these Christians; ask the Lord to protect and shelter them from further attacks.
• Pray for President Goodluck Jonathan and all those in authority in Nigeria; pray that the Lord will grant them strength and wisdom to deal with this Islamist group.
• Pray for the members of Boko Haram, that they will come to know Jesus Christ.

To post a prayer of solidarity for suffering believers in Nigeria, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall. To learn more about persecution in Nigeria, please visit our Nigeria Country Report.

Christians fleeing religious persecution

Please pray for Christians around the world who are
fleeing their countries because of their faith.

Christians around the world are fleeing for their lives, and they are now facing opposition in the very places they seek refuge.

The Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission recently released a Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin requesting prayer for the safety and refuge of Christians forced to take flight because of their beliefs.

Christians fleeing Eritrean persecution and totalitarian government have normally made for Egypt and Yemen. Both, however, are no longer considered safe havens for Christians.

Barnabas Aid reports about 500-600 Eritrean refugees are currently being detained by authorities in Egypt, while another 100-200 are in the hands of traffickers. Eritreans seeking refuge in Israel must cross the Sinai Desert. The journey is perilous because of the conditions and the risk of running into bandits or traffickers.

North Korean refugees in search of the Christian-organized “underground railroad” instead fall into Chinese captivity. The Chinese security forces return them to North Korea to be executed or jailed.

In the Ivory Coast, Christians are fleeing ethnic, religious and political cleansings enforced by the government. While some Christians remain despite the risks, others live as refugees in Liberia.

The increasing violence along Sudan’s North-South border is leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of predominantly Christian Southerners. As their home regions are bombed, many Christian families are being left with nowhere to turn.

Please join us in praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters!

• Pray God will keep them safe as they flee; hidden from wild animals, people-traffickers and criminals; and sustained while in oceans, deserts, dangerous cities and other hostile environments.
• Pray the Holy Spirit will sanctify them as they seek their place in the purposes of God, confidently looking to Jesus, as He is well able to meet their every need.
• Pray particularly for those who are currently in the hands of jailers or unscrupulous people-traffickers. May the God of all grace, mercy and justice draw these vulnerable believers into His presence, deliver them from violence and brutality and restore their liberty and security.

 

Consider Him this Easter

Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate, recently shared an Easter reflection via the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission’ Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin.

This Easter, we hope you’ll take a moment to “consider Him” and remember all that Jesus Christ has done and is continuing to do for you. Also remember to lift up our brothers and sisters around the globe who suffer for Christ’s name.

When contemplating persecution, consider Him. (Hebrews 12:3)

“CONSIDER HIM”

By Elizabeth Kendal

Does persecution bite;

    does fear consume your night?

        Consider Him.

Does tribulation strain;

    does mocking sore inflame?

        Consider Him.

Consider Him who crown of thorns did humbly wear; [Scripture: see end note 1] Despised, rejected, spat on, was stripped bare; [2] Unrecognised, object of scorn, Unfair! [3]

     Consider Him. (Hebrews 12:3)

Can those who hate you strike;

    take jobs, possessions, life?

        Consider Him.

Can government forsake;

    injustice overtake?

        Consider Him.

Consider Him who bore the blows and took the lash; [4] Falsely accused, betrayed, abused in purple sash; [5] At Golgotha, nailed to a cross, with Satan clashed; [6]

     Consider Him. (Hebrews 12:3)

Does righteousness take fright;

    does hope fade out of sight?

        Consider Him.

Does fear grip heart and head;

    strike hands and knees like lead?

        Consider Him.

Consider Him who with His gaze on heaven's home; (Hebrews 12:2) Endured the cross, despised the shame for promised throne; (Hebrews 12:2) Consumed with love, propelled by faith alone; (Hebrews 12:2)

     Consider Him. (Hebrews 12:3)   

When evil seems supreme,

    and rest seems like a dream;

        Consider Him.

When enemies grow bold,

    when shrouds seem to enfold;

        Consider Him.

Consider him whose violent death bruised serpent's head; [7] Who third day, shroud removed, rose from the dead; [8] Arisen, King of Love victorious, as he said; [9]

     Consider him! (Hebrews 12:3)

“. . . Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.' (Hebrews 12:1c-3 ESV)

Scripture References:

1. Mark 15:16-20
2. Isaiah 53:3; Matt 27:28-30; Psalm 22:18
3. John 1:11; Luke 22:63-65; Psalm 22:6; Isaiah 53:9
4. Matt 26:67; 27:26
5. Matt 26:59-60; Luke 22:47-48; John 19:2,5
6. John 19:16-18; Matt 27:39-44; Heb 13:12
7. Gen 3:15; Col 2:13-15; Rev 5:6-14
8. John 20; Isaiah 25:7,8
9. Matt 12:40; 16:21; 17:22,23; John 2:18-22

Conflict threatens peace in South Sudan

Pray for Christians
in Sudan today!

Conflict has increased within South Sudan since the January 9 referendum.

In February, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) clashed with forces of the southern opposition figure Gen. Akhor, leaving 200 dead. Some 50 were killed when the SPLA clashed also with the forces of Gabriel Tanginya who is backed by Northern Islamic Khartoum.

In the North-South border region of Abyei, 100 Misseriya Arab militiamen and other Khartoum-backed forces massacred police and civilians. On March 2, the same forces—1000-strong—attacked another Abyei village, causing 33 casualties.

This violence has triggered a massive displacement of 45,000 Southern Sudanese—mostly women and children—fleeing south. Both the North and the South are preparing for conflict.

Please pray for the long-suffering, war-ravaged, predominantly Christian masses of South Sudan.

Pray specifically that:

• God will have mercy on the impoverished, long-suffering, war-ravaged masses of South Sudan, especially those who faithfully love, worship, walk with and trust in the Lord.
• the Holy Spirit will encourage and embolden Christian leaders, pastors and evangelists to preach and demonstrate radical faith despite the circumstances. May this radical faith witness effectively to multitudes.
• God will grasp Sudan's leaders by their right hands and, for the sake of the Church, call them by name to do God's bidding, that all the peoples might know that God is the LORD (Isaiah 45:1-7).

This Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin was written for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (AEA RLC) by Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate, and a member of the AEA RLC team.

You can read previous prayer bulletins here.

Persecution escalates in Muslim areas of Ethiopia

Pray for Ethiopian believers who are
experiencing an increase in persecution.

The Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (AEA RLC) recently released a Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin about escalating persecution in Ethiopia. Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate, wrote it.

Here is a brief summary:

When the Ethiopian Government federalised the state in 1996, it devolved power to nine autonomous, ethnic regions. Rather than appeasing and pacifying Ethiopia's diverse peoples, this ethnic federalism only undermined nationhood while magnifying ethnicity and differences. Divisive forces are now stronger than ever.

Ethiopia's traditional Sufi Muslims are being radicalised by Saudi (Wahhabi) entities, inflaming religious tensions. Protestant believer Tamirat Woldegorgis (30s) is in an Islamic prison, having been falsely accused of defacing a Qur’an. Also, Christians in the southern town of Besheno are being told they must convert to Islam, leave or die. Persecution and application of Shariah law are increasing.

Yet, the central Government appears loath to intervene lest self- determination, “harmony” and “national unity” be undermined.

Please pray specifically that God will:

• Protect Tamirat Woldegorgis and deliver him safely back to his family; may the family all know the sustaining presence of the Lord, their provider.
• Protect the Christians living in restive Oromia and Islamic Somali, particularly the persecuted and threatened Christians in Besheno.
• Grant Christian leaders great wisdom to know how to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16 NKJV).
• Give the Federal Government much wisdom, strength and courage to tackle the issue of constitutional rights and the supremacy of the Federal Constitution over regional Islamic courts.

You can read the full prayer bulletin here.

Pray for Tajikistan

Pray for believers in Tajikistan.

A January 19 Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin reported there have been many answers to prayer for the Church in Central Asia:

• Unity among Protestant churches is growing.
• There are many testimonies of a growing interest in the Good News among Muslims.
• Many churches have a missionary vision for reaching out to the neighbouring Muslim countries.

However, much prayer is still needed.

Today, please consider praying for believers in Tajikistan.

• Almost all registered churches in Tajikistan were able to re-register in accordance with the legal requirements. However, the Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists was denied registration as a union of churches. That limits their rights, e.g. to open new churches. Also some smaller new churches faced problems with registration.
• The majority of the population continue to live in conditions of extreme poverty, unemployment and frequent electricity blackouts.
• Many labour migrants from Tajikistan and elsewhere in Central Asia live and work in Russia and become more open to the gospel there than in their home countries.

Pray for Kazakhstan

Pray for believers in Kazakhstan.

A January 19 Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin reported there have been many answers to prayer for the Church in Central Asia:

• Unity among Protestant churches is growing.
• There are many testimonies of a growing interest in the Good News among Muslims.
• Many churches have a missionary vision for reaching out to the neighbouring Muslim countries.

However, much prayer is still needed.

Today, please consider praying for believers in Kazakhstan.

• Kazakhstan currently chairs the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and proclaims religious tolerance.
• The Christian community is concerned that after 2010 the legislation will be changed imposing more restrictions on religious activities.
• While the majority of religious groups worship without government interference, the activities of unregistered minority groups, including some evangelical churches, are considered illegal. Some pastors and church members were fined for unregistered 'missionary' activities.
• In March 2010, new missionary visa regulations came into force that caused growing difficulties for some religious communities.

Pray for Kyrgyzstan

Pray for believers in Kyrgyzstan.

A January 19 Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin reported there have been many answers to prayer for the Church in Central Asia:

• Unity among Protestant churches is growing.
• There are many testimonies of a growing interest in the Good News among Muslims.
• Many churches have a missionary vision for reaching out to the neighbouring Muslim countries.

However, much prayer is still needed.

Today, please consider praying for believers in Kyrgyzstan.

• In Kyrgyzstan, 2010 was a year of political riots and ethnic clashes, which affected the church as well.
• The church leaders hope that the highly restrictive religious law brought in by former president Bakiev will be radically changed under the new government and restored at least to the level the country had before Bakiev.
• The churches are actively participating in helping those who lost their homes and businesses because of ethnic clashes between Kyrgyzs and Uzbeks in Osh.

Pray for Azerbaijan

Pray for believers in Azerbaijan.

A January 19 Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin reported there have been many answers to prayer for the Church in Central Asia:

• Unity among Protestant churches is growing.
• There are many testimonies of a growing interest in the Good News among Muslims.
• Many churches have a missionary vision for reaching out to the neighbouring Muslim countries.

However, much prayer is still needed.

Today, please consider praying for Azerbaijan.

• Religious freedom has been steadily deteriorating in Azerbaijan over the last few years.
• Since changes to the Religious Law were adopted in May 2009, the churches have faced problems with re-registration. Many have been denied registration and unregistered religious activities are illegal.
• Believers have been interrogated and fined when their gatherings have been raided by police.
• In October 2010, police raided the house where 80 members of an unregistered Baptist church were celebrating Harvest Festival. Four of them were arrested and sentenced to five days in prison.
• In December 2010, an Adventist church was raided by police and its members were interrogated and fined heavily.
• New amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences are expected to be discussed in the parliament and if approved would impose even heavier fines for unregistered religious activities.

 Stay tuned for prayer requests for other countries in Central Asia.

Pray for Turkmenistan

Pray for believers in Turkmenistan.

Yesterday's Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin reported there have been many answers to prayer for the Church in Central Asia:

• Unity among Protestant churches is growing.
• There are many testimonies of a growing interest in the Good News among Muslims.
• Many churches have a missionary vision for reaching out to the neighbouring Muslim countries.

However, much prayer is still needed.

Today, please consider praying for Turkmenistan.

• Religious freedom is under the strict control of the authorities in Turkmenistan.
• Only a small number of churches are registered, while many others have been unsuccessfully trying to get registration for years. None of the ethnic Turkmen churches was registered. The unregistered churches meet secretly in homes, often changing meeting places.
• Police regularly raid the houses of believers, confiscating and destroying Christian literature.
• Pastor Ilmurad Nurliev was sentenced to four years in prison and forced medical treatment under a false accusation of drug addiction in October 2010 and is now in a labour camp that has extremely tough conditions. He has not been allowed to have a Bible since his arrest in August.  He has diabetes and has been denied necessary medication. He was excluded from the recent prisoner amnesty.

 Tomorrow, you’ll learn about and receive opportunities to pray for Azerbaijan.

Pray for Uzbekistan

Pray for believers in Uzbekistan.

Today's Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin shared that there have been many answers to prayer for the Church in Central Asia:

• Unity among Protestant churches is growing.
• There are many testimonies of a growing interest in the Good News among Muslims.
• Many churches have a missionary vision for reaching out to the neighbouring Muslim countries.

However, much prayer is still needed.

Today, please consider praying for Uzbekistan and the following items.

• In 2010, Uzbek churches were raided by police, numerous Christians were detained and fined, while some were sentenced to short-term imprisonment.
• Pentecostal pastor Dmitry Shestakov served his fourth year in prison and is due to be released this month.
• A Baptist believer, Tohar Haydarov, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in a labour camp on fabricated drug charges in March 2010.
• The most restrictive situation remains in the Karakalpakastan region where none of the churches has been able to register. The authorities insist that individual believers must get permission even to have a Bible.
• A decision on new religious laws is possible in 2011, bringing even more restrictions on religious freedom in Uzbekistan.

 Stay tuned for prayer requests for other countries in Central Asia.