Kazakhstan
The President of the country is a strong supporter of laws that would restrict Christian organizations. While officials say “there is no persecution in Kazakhstan,” they prosecuted a pastor for “causing severe damage to health due to negligence” because he prayed with a sick woman at her request.
All churches must register, including many details about the personal lives of every member of their congregations, and pastors are under constant threat of being deported. One pastor was warned to expect deportation at any time after the officials objected to his worship service. Another was fined 5 times his monthly salary because he led an unregistered prayer service.
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Kazakhstan
Pastor Charged for Praying
The government of KAZAKHSTAN, which has a “one nation—one religion” policy, recently called for greater suppression of what it calls “extremist religious ideology” that poses “a threat to citizens’ lives and health.” A pastor was charged this summer and could face two years in prison for supposedly harming a man’s health by praying for him.
Pray that the charges will be dropped. “For there is none like You, and there is no God besides You.”
Kazakh religious restrictions ruled unconstitutional
Update: Kazakhstan's highly restrictive religious law (2/8) was rejected by the Constitutional Council.
Praise God for this answer to prayer! Pray that He will continue to protect the freedom of His people to share and worship. "...holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God."
Pastor Fined for Preaching
A pastor in KAZAKHSTAN was jailed for refusing to pay a fine for unregistered worship--an action that is not legally a crime. Another registered church in the area was raided and disbanded and the pastor prosecuted for engaging in religious activity in a different region.
Pray for these harassed Christians that they will find ways to meet and have fellowship despite poorly defined and strictly enforced laws. "The righteous shall live by faith."
Family Man and Pastor Deported
A Christian in KAZAKHSTAN is being deported for "unregistered missionary activity." He was given no warning, and is leaving behind his wife and five children. What dangerous activity requires such severe and immediate punishment? He preached a sermon in a church.
Pray that the evangelist will soon be allowed to return to his country and family. "For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest."
Pastor Faces Charges for Prayer
While officials say “there is no persecution in KAZAKHSTAN,” churches are denied the opportunity to meet legally, and a pastor was imprisoned for praying for a dying woman. At her request, he laid hands on her and prayed. He was accused of “causing severe damage to health due to negligence,” and is in danger of losing his freedom and livelihood.
Pastors fined in Kazakhstan
Pastors in Kazakhstan have again been fined heavily for leading unregistered churches. One had to pay 100 times the country's minimum monthly wage.
Please make special intercession for believers as the government considers an even harsher religion law. "And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks."
Kazakh religious restrictions ruled unconstitutional
Update: Kazakhstan's highly restrictive religious law (2/8) was rejected by the Constitutional Council.
Praise God for this answer to prayer! Pray that He will continue to protect the freedom of His people to share and worship. "...holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God."
Christian Children Interrogated
Islamic government officials in KAZAKHSTAN invaded a church. They detained members for questioning, even interrogating the children. They even tried to force one member to become their spy. When she refused to cooperate, she was fired from her job and severely fined. At the sentencing, an imam helped advise the judge.
Pray that this church's witness will only be enhanced as a result of this persecution. "The heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God."
Pastor Threatened with Deportation
As punishment for leading a worship service in his home, a pastor in KAZAKHSTAN is being threatened with deportation.
Pray that he will not be forced to leave his congregation and family. "By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land."
More religious restrictions in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's parliament has sent a restrictive new law on religions to the president for final review. He has previously said that he is uncomfortable with the idea of missionaries in Kazakhstan.
Pray that somehow this law will be overturned, and that Christians will have freedom to live and preach the Gospel. "Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD."