Violence against Christians in Sri Lanka

Several Christians were assaulted and threatened throughout Sri Lanka in recent weeks, reports the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL).

A pastor was assaulted after attending a meeting convened by a Buddhist monk in Ampara District, Eastern Province, on July 10.

During the meeting, which was in regard to land distribution, the pastor was assaulted by the monk and others present. The monk kicked the pastor, resulting in serious injuries to his arm and stomach. The assailants later followed the pastor to his home and continued to verbally abuse him and members of his family.

On July 19, a mob of approximately 50 people attacked the homes of five Christian families in Badulla District in Uva Province.

The assailants threw stones which damaged the roofs and broke windows with clubs and rocks. Some families fled in fear to the jungle and waited for the attack to abate. A grocery shop belonging to one of the families was demolished and goods were stolen. The shop owner was also seriously injured. At last report there were plans to force these Christian families to renounce Christianity or leave the village.

You can help by praying!

• Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks.
• Pray these Christians will not become fearful but will trust the Lord in all things.
• Pray the Lord will continue to make Sri Lankan Christians strong to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel amid persecution (Ephesians 6:18-20).

Pastors under attack in Sri Lanka

Pray for believers in Sri Lanka today!

Two pastors were recently attacked in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, reported the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka.

In early January, a man broke into the home of a pastor in Galle district. The pastor and his family came into the house to find the intruder inside. The man shouted threats at the pastor and began to assault him. Neighbours were alerted to the attack when they heard screaming. When the pastor's elderly landlord arrived, the intruder also attacked him. He then fled. The pastor and the landlord lodged a complaint with the local police against the attacker. He was arrested, but later released with a severe warning and only after he apologized to the pastor and the landlord.

Assailants also broke the windows of an Assemblies of God church building in the city of Middeniya, Hambantota district, on January 23. A complaint has reportedly been filed with local police. The pastor and his family, who were inside at the time of attack, were previously targeted in July 2008, when assailants set their house ablaze, following threats to him and his church.

Pray God's enduring grace will drive out any fear in the hearts of these believers in the face of opposition. Pray they will stand firm in their faith, putting on the full armour of God and praying in the Spirit on all occasions (Ephesians 6:13-18). Pray their attackers will repent of their actions and place their faith in Jesus Christ. Pray Sri Lankan Christians will proclaim the love and truth of Christ with courage, wisdom and compassion.