Tanzania
Tanzania has been a peaceful country for many years, but the island of Zanzibar is 99% Muslim and is now attempting to declare independence from the rest of the nation and govern itself under Sharia law. Hard-line Islamists are gaining in influence. However, the church is growing, and 5 million people listen to Christian radio stations.
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Tanzania
Two Churches Destroyed
A mob of more than 100 Muslims demolished a church building in TANZANIA. The next week Muslims burned down another church.
Ask God to strengthen these congregations and provide a place for them to worship. “O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me.”
Island Churches Under Attack
Tanzania is a group islands off the eastern coast of Africa, and on one island in particular, Christians face routine persecution. That island is Zanzibar. Christians living on the 99% Muslim island have long reported oppression and violence committed in the name of Allah. On December 3, 2011, Muslim terrorists burned down the Pentecostal Evangelical Fellowship of Africa Church.
Three Churches Burned
Three churches in TANZANIA were burned this summer. Muslims slandered Christians and warned people not to befriend them.
Ask God to provide for them a place to meet and opportunities to share the Gospel. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”
Christians Spied Upon
Muslims in TANZANIA are spying on Christians’ activities and announcing them in mosques. When churches type or print their documents in cybercafés, shop workers sneak copies to Muslim leaders.
Pray that the believers will not be afraid, and that their testimony will lead many to Christ. “Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”
New Believer Threatened
A believer from a Muslim background in TANZANIA is facing death threats from relatives. In prison this summer, he became a Christian when a pastor shared the gospel with him. Within weeks of his release, his family’s threats began. He is in hiding and plans to flee the area.
Pray that he will be strong in his new faith. “And when Jesus saw their faith, He said… ‘Take heart, My son; your sins are forgiven.’”
Convert Sentenced to Prison
Earlier this year a believer from a Muslim background in TANZANIA was sentenced to prison supposedly for “disrespecting” Islam and “threatening public peace.” While he was at church one day, his landlady threw his things out of the house. On his return, she told him that he must burn his trash and then leave. He did not realize that in with the trash he burned was a small copy of the Koran. An angry mob threatened to kill him. To save his life he pled guilty and was sent to prison.
Believer Forced to Flee
A believer from a Muslim background in TANZANIA was forced to flee to another city this summer. His family beat him severely, withdrew their support and supplies for his vocational training, and threatened to kill him.
Ask God to give him courage and help him to forgive. “Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’”
Burial Ground Confiscated
Muslims continue to construct what appears to be a hotel over a 100-year-old Christian-owned burial ground in TANZANIA. Even though Christians hold the ownership papers, Police restrict their access to the land.
Pray that the burial ground will be restored to them. “My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my Savior; You save me from violence.”
Two Churches Demolished
UPDATE: Two churches in TANZANIA were demolished in November. Last year, officials forbade one of the congregations from meeting in its building or constructing a new building. Now Muslims are threatening to kill members of both churches.
Ask God to shield the congregation from danger and to give them perseverance. “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life.”
Christian Students Face Expulsion
A TANZANIAN university has two mosques but has banned all Christian religious activities, even in the residence halls. During the Ramadan fast, Christian students were not allowed to cook for themselves. Christian women who do not wear veils and headscarves are threatened with expulsion. Some lecturers have already barred them from the classroom.
Pray that these students will stand firm in their faith. “In the Lord your labor is not in vain.”