China: Christians call to end internet censorship
A London conference was held last week by Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Release International to raise awareness of persecuted Christians in China. Release International called on Microsoft and Yahoo to follow Google's lead and refuse to censor the Internet and reports of persecution in China. ‘Religious persecution is a daily reality in China,’ said Release CEO Andy Dipper. ‘The Chinese people need to be told the truth and gatekeepers to the Internet, namely Microsoft and Yahoo, have a duty to let the truth be told.’ The conference highlighted the plight of human rights lawyer, Gao Zhisheng, who disappeared more than 400 days ago after defending leaders of the persecuted house church and practitioners of the banned movement Falun Gong. Praise God Gao has been interviewed, see Praise article below.
Pray: that Gao Zkisheng would be released immediately along with many others in similar circumstances. (Ps.4:1)
North Korea: High ranking defector speaks out
On Thursday AFP reported Hwang Jang-Yop, the highest-ranking official ever to defect from North Korea is calling for ‘ideological warfare’ against the hard-line regime and says China could easily bring it down if it chose to. Jang-Yop, who is at the top of North Korean agents' hit-list, is paying a tightly guarded visit to Washington as he seeks support from US policymakers and activists against his former government.The 87-year-old mentored leader Kim Jong-Il, presided over North Korea's parliament and is credited with developing the regime's ideology of ‘juche,’ or self-reliance. Speaking on Wednesday to a small audience at a think-tank, Jang-Yop discounted the options either of attacking or engaging Kim's regime and said it was instead crucial to show North Koreans the human rights violations around them. For insights from sensitive Christian sources to help you pray for North Korea click the info button below.
Pray: for God to give Jang-Yop the words that would be heard around the world to bring a colossal nonviolent turnaround of regime in North Korea. (Is.41:2)
Pakistan: Christians call for repeal of blasphemy laws
Riaz Anjum Masih, Chairman of the Pakistan Christian Movement has stressed the need for unity among the Christians of Pakistan and urges them to launch a united effort to scrap all discriminatory laws against minorities. He also called for repeal of those sections of the constitution which allegedly discriminate against religious minorities. ‘Although the constitution of Pakistan is unanimously agreed-upon, the Christians and other religious minorities have some reservations about it.’ said Masih. He went on to say that according to the constitution it is necessary to be a Muslim for attaining high posts of Government. He vowed to launch a struggle from the platform of the Pakistan Christian Movement to see the number of reserved seats for minorities increased. Unveiling his plans for uplifting the Pakistani Christian community Masih said they would establish a Christian educational fund to provide educational opportunities for Pakistani Christians as it is imperative for them to get higher education.
Pray: that God would strengthen the voice of the Pakistan Christian Movement and provide fresh standards of justice in that country. (1Pt.4:10-11)
Iraq: Christians under fire
Christians in Iraq face possible martyrdom as an ever present reality. The campaign of violence against Christians is one of the most under-reported stories of Iraq since the 2003 invasion and could fundamentally change the country's character. By the time the dust finally settles on the chaotic current chapter of Iraq's history, the Christian community may have disappeared altogether after 2,000 years as a significant presence. About 200,000 Iraqi Christians have already fled the country. They once made up three per cent of its population but now account for half of its refugees. Erbil in northern Iraq has become a safe haven for Christian refugees who are too poor to leave or do not want to abandon their country. It is the seat of the Kurdish Regional Government which treats the Christians well and there is an established Christian community to welcome them. Refugees also gravitate towards the traditionally Christian suburb of Ainkawa. (See also Prayer Alert 0110 & 0610)
Pray: for more of God’s protection and provision for our brothers and sisters in Christ living and working in Iraq. (Ps.5:11)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7550048/Iraqi-Christians-under-fire.html
Nigeria: Secret killings follow religious deaths
The religious massacres have stopped, but ‘secret’ killings of Christians and Muslims continue on a smaller scale across Northern Nigeria, claiming more than 30 lives this year police said on Tuesday. Three more people died and several were injured during an interfaith Easter prayer ceremony in Jos. The State Police Commissioner said the secret killings happen when Christians and Muslims stray into neighbourhoods dominated by the other faith. Police and security forces collect one or two bodies a night. The violence remains hidden from public view since it hasn't reached the horrors of earlier in the year when more than 200 people - mostly Christians - died in March massacres and more than 300 people- mostly Muslims - died in January during rioting in the same region.
Pray: for God’s life giving spirit to heal the broken, bring reconciliation to divided groups and invade the darkness still hovering over the region. (Is.42:16)
More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iNCU46VYMVf0VzhqkKJUus45PrDAD9ETOKLG4
Gaza: A generation of casualties
Israel's foreign minister warned Palestinians against plans to declare independence next year saying the move could prompt Israel to annex parts of the West Bank and annul past peace agreements. His remarks took aim at a Palestinian policy coming out of the stalled U.S. peace talks. see Last Friday Israeli warplanes, responding to Palestinian border assaults, bombed the Gaza Strip resulting in two children being hospitalised. The children of Gaza have much misery to contend with as they try to put memories of the war behind them. Much of Gaza is still piles of sand and rubble. The winter rains have brought leaks and floods for family homes and the blockades cause many shortages of necessities. Currently there is a shortage of cooking gas. Power cuts are also commonplace making it very difficult for children to study at night. The children are stuck in Gaza with little hope of the freedom we take for granted.
Pray: for the children of Gaza to have a future and a hope; pray also for the Palestinian Christians to have all their prayers powerfully answered. (Ps.69:32-33,36)
More: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/articles/children-of-gaza-filmmakers-feature
Kyrgyzstan: Opposition seizes power, dissolves parliament
Kyrgyzstan's opposition said on Thursday it had taken power and dissolved parliament after a bloody uprising forced President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee the capital. Roza Otunbayeva, leader of the interim government, demanded his resignation. She said Bakiyev was trying to rally supporters in his power base in the south. The uprising, which began in the northern town of Talas on Tuesday soon spread to the capital Bishkek. A missionary living in Jalalabad Bakiyev’s home town reports, ‘Bakiyev is reported to be in Osh - the second city of Kyrgyzstan located further west. It’s still peaceful here right now. Bishkek is a mess. There’s meant to be a new government led by a woman in the opposition party. Nothing has been signed officially so anything could still happen. There are differing reports on numbers dead maybe 1-200 casualties with hundreds more injured. Looting has been going on in Bishkek and even here shops are closed.’
Pray: for the situation in Kyrgyzstan that the problems will not escalate and there would be peace. (Pr.12:20)
Kyrgyzstan: Ex-leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev flies to Kazakhstan
Deposed Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has left the country and flown to neighbouring Kazakhstan. His departure comes in the wake of a 7 April uprising that killed scores of people and forced him to flee the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek. He had been trying to muster support in his home region of Jalalabad in the south of the country. Kyrgyzstan's interim government said Mr Bakiyev had signed a letter of resignation. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said Mr Bakiyev's departure had been agreed with the US, Russia and the EU. The Russian Interfax news agency said Mr Bakiyev may fly on to Turkey or Latvia. Gunfire had been heard earlier as Mr Bakiyev spoke in the southern city of Osh; an opposition rally was going on nearby. Mr Bakiyev was quickly bundled into his car and driven back to Jalalabad where a plane was seen taking off from the nearby airport. (See also Prayer Alert 1510)
Pray: for the people of Kyrgyzstan that there would now be peace leading to just and stable government. (Job.22:21)
More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8623021.stm
Turkey: Church group announces day of prayer
The Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey is inviting Christians worldwide to join in a day of prayer for the predominantly Muslim country. The International Day of Prayer for Turkey will take place each year on April 18, the anniversary of the horrific murders of three Christian workers in a Bible publishing house in Malatya in 2007 by a group of young Muslim Turks. The group is asking Christians to pray that Turkey’s small Christian community can be strengthened in the Holy Spirit to live for the glory of God and that the people of Turkey will open their hearts and eyes to the Kingdom of God.
Pray: for the Turkish nation that they will have their hearts and eyes opened. (Mt.5:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.group.announces.day.of.prayer.for.turkey/23052.htm
Iran: Another Christian is accused of evangelistic activities.
Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) reports that on March 7, 2010 a new Christian convert by the name of Saeed, was stopped by two unmarked cars, belonging to the ministry of information. After searching his car and personal identification he was taken to the local jail. Upon his release Saeed was told that none of his personal identification documents would be returned to him and he was barred from leaving the city of Tanriz. Saeed has been accused of starting a home-based fellowship, teaching Christian doctrines, attempting to baptize new converts, and other related Christian activities. Remember also the two Christian women by the names of Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh, who were arrested and detained for nine months at the Tehran Evin Prison. According to reports thier trial started on Tuesday April 13.
Pray: for Iranian Christians as they face pressure from the authorities over their faith. (1Pet.1:6-7)