Pakistan: Christians under increasing pressure
Bibles are being desecrated, churches attacked and human rights advocates threatened in Pakistan as Islamic extremists intensify pressure on the Christian community. Christians have faced persecution in Pakistan for years but the climate has deteriorated in recent months particularly since the burning of a Koran at the church of Florida by pastor Terry Jones last month. Last Saturday, the Sarhadi Lutheran Church in Mardan was targeted in a bomb attack. It is believed that Islamic militants planted the bomb. Despite people being present at the church at the time, no one was killed or injured in the explosion. The church’s pastor, the Rev Ghulam Shad, said: ‘It appears that the militants only wanted to demolish the church, but not to injure any of our people’. When asked by the news service about the church’s attitude towards the perpetrators, he answered: ‘All we can do is to pray for them as we are taught by our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (See also Prayer Alert 14-2011) Pray: again for the believers who are persecuted for their faith that God will protect them. (Ps.12:5) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.under.increasing.pressure.in.pakistan/27837.htm
India: Orissa group hauled into court for turning to Christ
Six recently baptised Christians were arrested in northern Orissa State after Hindu activists accused them of converting to Christianity 'illegally'. The six ethnic minority Christians, who had recently joined Good Shepherd Ministries in Mayurbhanj district, appeared in court but were released on bail, according to Release partner All India Christian Council (AICC). Their pastor, Mannuel Mahapatra, was also arrested and accused of forcible conversion. Hindu extremists frequently level accusations of forcible conversion at pastors – but allegations against those who are converted are less common. The state of Orissa has implemented anti-conversion legislation and its Freedom of Religion Act bans religious conversions without the prior permission of local police and a district magistrate. In Karnataka state, nine members of the New India Church of God in Mysore were arrested last Sunday after Hindu extremists stormed the church. Attacks on individual Christians in Karnataka also continue. Four Christians were beaten and charged with 'outraging religious feelings' after distributing pamphlets.
Pray: for the Church in Orissa and the new believers that God will empower them and protect them from the hand of the enemy. (Pr.2:8)
Nigeria: Riots break out in the north following election
Riots erupted across northern Nigeria on Monday as President Goodluck Jonathan secured a decisive win in the country's presidential poll, which observers have described as the fairest in decades. Deadly rioting erupted across Nigeria's largely Muslim north on Monday as youths torched churches and homes in anger at President Goodluck Jonathan's election victory. Observers have called the poll the fairest in decades in Africa's most populous nation. But supporters of the defeated Mr Buhari accuse the ruling party of rigging and rejected the results. The results show how polarised the country is, with Buhari sweeping the north and Jonathan winning the largely Christian south. Jonathan had nearly 23 million votes to just over 12 million for Buhari. The Nigerian Red Cross said churches, mosques and homes had been burned in rioting across the north and many people had been killed, but it was impossible to give a toll for now. Pray: against this violence in the north and pray that the peoples and religious groups will find ways of living together in peace. (Nu.6:26) More: http://www.france24.com/en/20110418-north-riots-over-goodluck-jonathan-election-victory-nigeria
God is not done with Britain yet
There may be chaos in our lives and in the nation too, but Christians serve a God who can bring order out of that chaos and use what little we give to bring about big changes. That was the message from Gavin Calver to thousands of Christians at Spring Harvest last Friday. Calver spoke honestly about the challenges of leading a ministry when so many people in Britain are turning away from Christianity. ‘But we as a church need to start hoping, believing and praying for more because I am not prepared to accept the recent state. I read that in two generations time the church will be considered in the past tense in this nation. That is not going to happen. God is not done with this island yet. He can breathe life into nothing.’ Calver suggested that the church start really believing that the Christian faith is all about life, rather than accepting decline as inevitable.
Pray: for the Church to respond by confidently proclaiming the Gospel and working for revival. (Phl.1:14)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/gavin.calver.god.is.not.done.with.britain.yet/27835-2.htm
