Palestinian Territories
Muslims harass and persecute Palestinian Christians with little interference. Christian businesses are bombed and believers beaten. When churches are destroyed in Gaza, they are not permitted to rebuild. “Hamas digs up the bodies of Christians from burial sites in the Gaza Strip claiming that they pollute the earth,” said one Christian leader.
The manager of a Christian bookstore was martyred at the entrance to his shop in Gaza. As the Islamic persecution of Palestinian Christians has increased, their percentage of the Palestinian population has dwindled from 10% in 1940 to 1.4% in 2000.
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Palestinian Territories
Evangelist Perseveres
Our ministry partner in the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES is now in a town with 5 new believers from a Muslim background. He is still suffering from loneliness because his Muslim wife divorced him after his baptism.
Pray that God will encourage him and use him greatly in the lives of these new believers. “After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Children Come to Christ
In the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, a Christian VBS program faced opposition from neighbors and local authorities. The youth center was vandalized and the leaders’ car tires were slashed. Nevertheless, many children attended, and over two dozen accepted Christ.
Praise God for His salvation! “But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.”
Martyr’s Widow Faces Challenges
In the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, a martyr’s widow and her children face difficulties in a Muslim society. Her husband was tortured and killed several years ago for running a Christian bookshop. She and her young children continue to persevere, despite the many challenges they face.
Pray that their testimony will lead many Muslims to Christ. “For it is God who works in you…”
Bomb Thrown at Believer's Car
In February in the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, a bomb was thrown at a Christian’s car. He survived, but is now receiving text messages warning him to stop his evangelical work. In his region Hamas has been enforcing Sharia law, which forbids evangelism.
Ask God to continue to protect this believer and his family. “Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.”
Christian Graves Desecrated
Muslim mobs in the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES went on a rampage and desecrated seventy Palestinian Christian graves. Rioters claimed the attack was in response to the Pope's visit to the region--two weeks earlier.
Pray for peace between these neighbors. "He has told you, O man, what is good."
Gaza Christian school attacked
Gunmen tied down and beat guards at a Christian school in Gaza, threatened the director, and stole a bus.
Pray that in the midst of insecurity Christians will know God as their protector. "I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me."
Christians caught in Gaza crossfire
As war broke out in Gaza, Christians once again found themselves caught in the crossfire. Some had gone to Bethlehem for Christmas; with the border sealed they were separated from family. A church building sustained shattered windows and other damage when an Israeli plane bombed a police station across the road. Believers reportedly met in small groups in homes to avoid being targeted by bombs or Islamic militants.
Christians Forced to Abide by Sharia Law
November 29, 2009
Muslim authorities in GAZA are forcing Christian girls to abide by Muslim standards of dress. Those who refuse are denied entry to school. Girls and boys are also being divided into separate classes. Earlier this year a law was passed that required all women to cover their hair while in public.
Pray that Sharia will cease to govern the Christians and that their children will be able to attend school. "And this we will do if God permits."
Muslim cleric boasts
An Islamic cleric in Gaza predicts that "Very soon, Allah willing, Rome will be conquered, just like Constantinople was." It will become "an advanced post for the Islamic conquests, which will spread through Europe in its entirety, and then will turn to the two Americas...."
Humanitarian facilities destroyed
Humanitarian facilities operated by Christians in Gaza were destroyed by Hamas. So far they cannot get permission to reopen.
Pray that believers will continue to love Palestinian people for whom Christ died. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds."