February 2012
Refugee Beaten, Injured
UPDATE: A Christian Somali refugee living in KENYA was beaten by Muslims less than six weeks after an attack on his older brother. The younger brother’s mobility, vision, and memory have been impaired.
Pray for his recovery and for courage for his family. “Indeed, none who wait for You shall be put to shame.”
Refugee Beaten, Injured
UPDATE: A Christian Somali refugee living in KENYA was beaten by Muslims less than six weeks after an attack on his older brother. The younger brother’s mobility, vision, and memory have been impaired.
Pray for his recovery and for courage for his family. “Indeed, none who wait for You shall be put to shame.”
Praise for Pastor in Turkey
Praise God that one of our ministry partners in TURKEY was met with kindness when he discussed his church activities with regional authorities. Thank God also for people who attended an outreach event.
Pray that more will come to the church regularly. “My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.”
Church Raided, Congregation Arrested
On December 23 during a church service, IRANIAN authorities raided an official, long established church and arrested the entire congregation, including children. Most were released after interrogations and threats. The pastor’s wife was released on bail after 10 days. The pastor and two others remain in prison. He had received warnings from officials, including warnings not to allow Muslim background believers into his church.
Convert Disowned, Hunted
When his family learned of his conversion, an Muslim background believer in PAKISTAN was disowned, lost his employment and relatively comfortable lifestyle, and is now being hunted down by relatives and authorities who want to kill him. He says, “I will serve the Lord in my country even if it means putting my life on the line.”
Ask God to strengthen him and give him wisdom. “For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; ...He will lift me high upon a rock.”
Christian Village Attacked
On December 19 a Christian village in NIGERIA was attacked by Muslims. Five believers were killed and six wounded, including a 3-year-old cut with a machete.
Pray for comfort for the grieving and healing for the injured. “Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!”
LEARN MORE: Continued Violence in Nigeria
Missionary Summoned by Islamic Court
An Islamic court in INDIA summoned a missionary who runs two schools to appear before it on charges of proselytism and forced conversions.
Pray for boldness and wisdom. “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”
LEARN MORE: Missionary Charged in India
Churches Bombed, Christians Killed
The Islamic group Boko Haram bombed three churches in NIGERIA on Christmas Day. In one bombing at least 45 people died, most of whom were church members, and 73 were injured. Among the deceased were a widow’s only son, another woman’s husband and all their children, and a young girl’s parents. Boko Haram threatened that Christians must leave northern Nigeria. In early January they killed over 40 more people and injured others, including many at church and prayer meetings.
Believers Arrested at Prayer Meeting
In SAUDI ARABIA, 35 Ethiopian Christians were arrested on December 15 during their weekly prayer meeting. Officially the men and women were accused of mixing (or being in the same room) with the opposite gender, but a Saudi official told a believer’s employer that they were arrested for practicing Christianity.
Ask God to encourage them and bring about their release. “Make me know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.”
Pastor Attacked with Acid
In UGANDA Muslims threw acid on an a pastor who was on his way to a Christmas Eve celebration with his congregation and new converts to Christianity. Once an Islamic teacher himself, this outspoken evangelist has survived many attacks and threats on his life. Now his entire body is in continual pain from the acid.
Pray for his recovery and continued ministry. “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation.”
Former Muslim Comes to Christ
Praise God for a former Muslim who came to Christ through our WEST AFRICAN ministry partner’s microenterprise program! She was taught how to run her own business and was also introduced to Jesus. Through her hard work she has been able to send her daughter to school and to pay off the small loan that the ministry gave her. She has introduced her daughter to Christ, and wants all of her family to come to know the Savior.
Praise God for His salvation! “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.”
Believer Imprisoned after Baptism
A Muslim background believer in IRAN was sentenced to six years in prison for being baptized while he was in Turkey.
Ask God to sustain this believer. “The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped.”
LEARN MORE: In Prison for Baptism
Woman Still Under Death Sentence
UPDATE: A Christian woman under a death sentence for blasphemy in PAKISTAN is still awaiting appeal in prison. She asks for continued prayers. She testifies that she has forgiven the Muslims who put her in prison.
Ask God to sustain her and her family. Pray for her release. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.”
Persecuted Christian Worker Perseveres
Our ministry partner in the PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES faithfully perseveres in sharing the Gospel despite poverty, health problems, and the persecution he faces even from his own family.
Pray for his daughter, who is not allowed to talk to him. Ask God to bless his work in evangelism and discipleship. “The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.”
Woman Martyred, Husband Wounded
In December in NIGERIA a Christian man and his cousin were shot, and his wife was killed. He says, “I have been praying that these Muslims who attack us come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior, too.” He also says that he has forgiven the attackers and urges Christians to pray for their persecutors.
Ask God to comfort him in his grief and to answer his prayers. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
Church Building Destroyed
In a region of ETHIOPIA governed by Muslims, a judge ordered the demolition of a church supposedly built without proper authorization. The church has been operating for over 60 years and was built with a permit. Police destroyed the church’s roof, and days later Muslim students and police officials burned down the structure, with shouts of “Allahu Akbar” and “jihad.”
Pray that the congregation will persevere. “O my God, in You I trust, let me not be put to shame.”
Christian Prisoner Freed
A Christian woman who spent nine months in prison in IRAN was recently freed. She suffered from poor health, months of solitary confinement, and later an overcrowded cell.
Thank God for her release! Pray for the recovery of her health. “Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to You for help…”
Martyrs’ Family Forced into Hiding
In EGYPT the family of two brutally murdered Christian brothers is on the run because Muslims have threatened to kill other family members. Following a conflict between a Muslim and a Christian whom the family did not even know, Muslims targeted the brothers for punishment because they were considered to be Christian elders in their village.
Ask God to encourage, comfort, and sustain the family. “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”
Church Elder Martyred
In the PHILIPPINES a church elder was shot and decapitated by a suspected group of Muslims. He had developed friendships with local Muslims. When they would try to convert him, he would not waver in his faith and would instead share the gospel.
Pray for comfort for his widow and 13 children. “You have said, ‘Seek My face.’ My hearts says to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I do seek.’”
Christian Charged with Blasphemy
Following a dispute about rent between a Christian and his Muslim landlord in PAKISTAN, Muslims falsely accused the believer of burning pages of the Koran to prepare tea. These blasphemy charges are punishable with life imprisonment.
Pray for courage for this Christian. Ask God for his release. “The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Baptisms in Bangladesh
Our ministry partner in BANGLADESH reports that between January and November of last year 2,560 people professed faith in Christ and 1,077 people were baptized through his ministry there.
Praise God for His salvation! Pray for continued provision for this ministry. “All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness…”
LEARN MORE: News to Rejoice!
Pastor’s Case Stalled
UPDATE: A pastor sentenced to death for apostasy remains in prison in IRAN. A judge has reportedly stalled the case, possibly for another year, and ordered that continued pressure be put upon the pastor to recant.
Ask God to give him boldness and peace. “Oh, save Your people and bless Your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.”
Christians Accused
Muslim leaders in MALAYSIA recently accused Malaysian Christians of trying to “Christianize” the country. Converting Muslims to Christianity is against the law.
Pray that believers in Malaysia will persevere in their witness to the gospel. “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way.”
LEARN MORE: High Price for Obedience
Terrorist Plot Discovered
In December, Christians in the capital city of TURKEY learned that they had been the intended target of a plot by Al Qaeda. The Islamic group planned to bomb the city’s churches and also had lists of the names and home addresses of pastors and other church workers.
Praise God that police discovered the plot in time. Pray that the believers in the region will remain bold in their faith. “According to Your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD!”
