Uzbekistan
Home Raided, Bibles Seized
Earlier this year in UZBEKISTAN, police raided a Christian family’s home, assaulted the husband, and confiscated what they called “banned religious literature”—which included the New Testament and the Bible as a whole.
The family is accused of illegal missionary activity among local Muslims. Pray that they will stand strong in the Lord. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer.”
Imprisoned Pastor Released
After being imprisoned for four years in a labor camp, a pastor in UZBEKISTAN was reunited with his wife and daughters in January. Before his arrest, he was active in ministry outreach to Muslims. Police now have him under severe “administrative supervision” restrictions.
Ask God to encourage him and enable him to return to the ministry. “Do not fear what you are about to suffer.”
Children in the Persecuted Church
Normally we tend to think of the persecuted church as comprising adult believers, but children can be equally hit by persecution, and their stories can be especially heartbreaking. A surprising number of the persecution incidents that Smyrna uncovered this past month (and that will be in the March prayer guide) involve kids and teens.
Prison Sentence for Believer
Two Christians in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic in UZBEKISTAN, were given 10-day prison sentences this summer for their religious activity. One had already been dismissed from his job because he would not renounce his faith. Although Karakalpakstan has a population of over one million, only one state-approved church is allowed to operate alongside the state-registered Muslim communities.
Officials Raid Church
The government of UZBEKISTAN promotes a moderate expression of Islam but restricts the freedom of Christians. Recently officials raided a legally registered church, fined or imprisoned various members, and confiscated Christian books and offertory money. A court ordered that the books be destroyed. The police sealed the building, and officials cut off electricity.
Pray that the congregation will not lose heart, and that their faithfulness will be a witness to the Muslim community. “And my tongue will talk of Your righteous help all the day long.”
Christians Fined and Bibles Confiscated
In UZBEKISTAN 13 members of an unregistered church were each fined 100 times the minimum monthly salary. They and other Christians have had Bibles confiscated. A judge declared that Bibles “must also be registered with the State Committee, and if they are not they will be destroyed once found.”
Pray that the fines will be dropped. “Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us.”
Fabricated Charges against Christian
A man in UZBEKISTAN was sentenced to ten years in prison for fabricated charges after he refused to renounce his faith. Fellow believers hired a lawyer for him, but neither they nor the lawyer were permitted into the courtroom during the defense.
Pray that God will give him courage to persevere. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
Man Arrested, Women Beaten
Authorities in UZBEKISTAN arrested a church leader and two women at a private prayer meeting. The women were beaten and threatened with torture.
Pray that God will protect these Christians and will make them more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”
Christian Youths Interrogated
Teaching religious beliefs privately, without special education, or without permission is illegal in UZBEKISTAN. Police interrogated the youth in one church and demanded from them a list of church members who taught the Bible. Authorities fined three Christians for teaching religion in a private home.
Pray that God will protect those who teach his Word. “Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”
Children in Uzbekistan Pressured
A TV station in UZBEKISTAN slandered Christians. Shortly afterward, schools summoned Christian parents and forced their children to promise not to attend church.
Pray that these believers will find strength in God and will seek to honor Him despite opposition. “But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find Him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Uzbekistan: Will we be silent?
Authorities brought false charges against him and claimed that he had stored or produced drugs illegally. He was framed after refusing to renounce his faith—refusing to keep quiet about what he believes.
The government of Uzbekistan uses intimidation in an attempt to halt the spread of Christianity. According to Mission Network News, a spokesman for Voice of the Martyrs Canada “says the persecution is having an effect on the church [in Uzbekistan]. ‘It’s not stopping the spread of the Gospel. In fact, it is growing the Gospel.’”
Sunday School Banned
UPDATE (9/17): Months ago an UZBEKI pastor was accused of "unlawfully teaching Christianity to children." Now, along with severe fines, he and his staff are being banned from holding any office in the country. This will seriously compromise the leadership of the church in UZBEKISTAN.
Pray that this pastor will be reprieved and that new leadership will be raised up in the body of Christ. "Let the work on this house of God alone."
Militant Groups Migrating
An Islamic militant group that began in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan has now spread into TAJIKISTAN and threatens the peace in this previously quiet country.
Pray that they will not take root and the church will be strengthened against attack. "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God."
Christians Fined for Socializing
Christians in UZBEKISTAN were fined 50 times the normal monthly salary for gathering together. Police raided and charged them with "teaching religion without religious training or permission."
Pray for the fines to be dismissed and for their faith to remain vibrant. "But He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness."
Teachers Imprisoned for Teaching Christ
December 3, 2009
Three believers in UZBEKISTAN are at risk of prison sentences for allegedly teaching children about Christianity without their parent's approval. Now, the parents are claiming that their charges were fabricated by the lead investigator.
Pray that this evidence will exonerate and free the Christians. "Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old."
Religious Activity Banned
November 11, 2009
UZBEKISTAN has defied the U.N.'s direction for religious tolerance and "has made unregistered religious activity a criminal offence." This gives the government complete power to define and authorize all religious activity.
Pray that the church will endure. "For land that has drunk the rain...receives a blessing from God."
Church Raided and Dispersed
Muslim officers raided a church in UZBEKISTAN. Seven members were arrested—three were released, while four were sentenced to a prison term. All their religious literature was confiscated and destroyed. In your providence, O Lord, you allowed these men to be sent to prison.
We pray that their incarceration will be a time of great witness and encouragement. "Son of man, all my words I shall speak to you, receive in your heart."
Handicapped Believer Barred from Worship
A handicapped believer in UZBEKISTAN has been banned from going to church. The police are demanding "an official document that says they are allowed to invite people to their meetings." All of his Christian tapes and books have been confiscated.
Pray this Christian will once more be able to find fellowship. "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered."
Handicapped Believer Barred from Worship
A handicapped believer in UZBEKISTAN has been banned from going to church. The police are demanding "an official document that says they are allowed to invite people to their meetings." All of his Christian tapes and books have been confiscated.
Pray this Christian will once more be able to find fellowship. "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered."
Children Denied Pastoral Care
A children's camp in UZBEKISTAN was closed down for the crime of "unlawfully teaching children about religion." The director of the camp, a pastor, is facing fines, confiscation of his property, and imprisonment.
Pray that these children will be able to be taught Christ. "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things."
Bibles Banned in Uzbekistan
A law introduced in UZBEKISTAN has "banned for all import, distribution, or use in teaching" all Christian books, including hymn books and Bibles.
Pray that there will be a great hunger for Christ in this country and the Holy Spirit will meet this need. "He shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord."
Prison for sharing Christ with children
Teaching children about Christ in Uzbekistan is rapidly becoming impossible. A pastor was given a 15-day prison sentence for reaching out to neglected children from poor families. In another case, 17 people were fined 100 times the minimum monthly salary because they were at a birthday party for a church member's child. Believers say the government wants their churches "to cease to exist."
Registered Church Raided
Some 20 officials raided a prayer meeting at a registered church in Uzbekistan. One believer was sentenced to ten days in prison.
Pray for a restoration of justice--and a spirit of forgiveness. "As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Uzbeki Police Raid Private Home
Uzbeki police raided a private home and arrested three Christians during a meal. They were found guilty of teaching religious doctrine as part of an unregistered church and sentenced to a short stint in prison.
Pray that they will be undeterred as they do the work of the Lord. "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Christian Family Refused Burial Rights
Local officials in Uzbekistan obstructed the burial of a Muslim man, because his wife and son are Christians. An imam told the widow that she must renounce her faith in order to bury the deceased. When he was finally buried, officials warned neighbors not to help the family with traditional ceremonies. Secret service police went from home to home warning residents that converts to Christianity would be punished.
