Kenya
Bible Translator Threatened
A Somali Christian refugee in KENYA has received threats from Muslims who learned that he did translation work with the Bible and a Christian film. His photo was recently posted in a mosque. He has been accused of being a threat to Islam.
Pray for courage in the challenges he faces. “...he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Refugee Family Threatened
After being severely beaten and having his house burned, a Somali believer from a Muslim background fled to KENYA. There he and his family have continued to face threats and discrimination from terrorists and Somali Muslims.
Ask God to heal his injuries and provide for his family. “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”
Refugee Severely Beaten
On October 27, a Christian Somali refugee living in KENYA was severely beaten and left for dead by Muslims who assumed he was an apostate. He says he was praying even as they beat him. His widowed mother, who is a Muslim background believer, says, “I will not return to Islam; I will stand with Christ.”
Ask God to heal his injuries and give the family courage. “So that...we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”
Grenade Thrown at Church
In KENYA two Christians were killed when suspected Islamic terrorists threw a grenade at a church compound.
Ask God to comfort those who grieve. Pray that the believers’ faithfulness and love will be a witness in this predominantly Muslim area. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Missionaries Tortured, Raped
In KENYA, six missionaries were attacked by Muslims and dumped by the side of a road. One woman was slapped when she said, “Jesus Christ is the Savior.” She and the other women were raped. The men were tortured. Then they were warned to stop teaching the Bible to Muslims.
Pray that they will recover physically and emotionally. “Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
Sharia Courts in Kenya
UPDATE: KENYA’S new constitution adopted in August establishes Sharia courts. Some Christians are appealing for amendments, but they are being called intolerant and divisive.
Pray that amendments will free Kenya of Sharia law (which makes Christians second-class citizens, forbids conversion to Christianity, and forbids anything that could tempt a Muslim to convert to Christianity). “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned.”
Christian Rally Attacked
UPDATE: A proposed constitution, to be voted on tomorrow, would give Islamic courts national jurisdiction in KENYA. Christians gathered at a rally to oppose the referendum, but were attacked with explosives. Six died, and over 100 were injured.
Pray that God will comfort the grieving, heal the wounded, and stop the advance of Sharia law. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up.”
Ruling Limits Islamic Courts
KENYAN judges have just ruled that Islamic marriage and inheritance courts cannot have constitutional status. The attorney general plans to appeal this decision.
Praise God for this ruling in favor of Christians’ freedom, and pray that it will not be overturned. “My mouth is filled with Your praise, and with Your glory all the day.”
Sharia Law Instituted
KENYA has drafted a bill that recognizes Sharia Law as part of the country's constitution. The laws governing the right to propagate religion and the right of conversion are now in serious doubt.
Pray that God will protect the Christians' ability to witness. "For the LORD had made them joyful."
Islamists release kidnapped nuns
Update: Two nuns, kidnapped by Somali Islamists (1/7), were released and returned to Kenya. They are receiving care.
Praise God for this answer to prayer. Ask the Lord to bring their kidnappers to Himself. "Whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Somali punished for "dishonor" of conversion
When a Christian Somali refugee in Kenya fought off angry Muslims who broke into his house, he was arrested until his family could pay the fine a camp "court" levied for the dishonor his conversion brought to Islam. After his release, attackers broke in again, shouting that they would punish him for converting. As he tried to escape, they shot him in the shoulder and left him for dead. Thank God for sparing his life.
Nuns kidnapped in Kenya
Somali insurgents kidnapped two nuns in Kenya and escaped back into Somalia -- a country controlled almost entirely by Islamists. Ask God to protect these women.
Pray for their kidnappers, and for rescue. "And I will place you in your own land."
Aid worker slain in Somalia
Militants had intercepted Mohammed -- an aid worker serving in Somalia -- earlier in the morning. That afternoon they gathered villagers, saying they would prepare a feast for them.
Five masked men emerged carrying guns, wielding Somali swords and dragging the handcuffed prisoner. One pulled back Mohammed's head, exposing his face, and scraped a sword against his short hair as if to sharpen it. Another recited the Koran as he proclaimed that Mohammed was a "murtid," an Arabic term for one who converts from Islam to Christianity.
Somali refugee attacked for his faith
A group of acquaintances ransacked a Somali refugee's house in Kenya, destroyed property, and beat up his family, breaking his young son's arm. The man's crime? He abandoned Islam to follow Jesus.
Pray for these and other Somalis who continue to face harassment even after being driven from their homeland. "In peace I will both lie down and sleep."
Sharia law coming?
Kenyan Churches criticized a leading presidential candidate for signing a Memorandum of Understanding, reportedly promising special status for Sharia law. A different candidate won, but allegations of a rigged election led to widespread intertribal violence, with over 200,000 people displaced.
Pray for justice and peace. "For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us."
