Eritrea: End of year purge of Christians
Security forces in Eritrea have begun a vigorous clampdown on Christians in the run-up to Christmas. The discovery of details on the underground church enabled security forces to hunt down all believers and their families. About 40 people have been detained with the hunt for others continuing. Among those arrested are a young couple who had been caring for the weak and destitute in their area; they were forced to leave their one-year-old son behind. Between 2,000 and 3,000 Christians are in prison for their faith. They are held indefinitely in appalling conditions designed to force them to recant their faith, with no formal charge or trial. They are starved, deprived of medical attention, subjected to beatings, horrific torture or imprisoned in metal shipping containers, which are baking hot during the day and freezing at night. Pray: for God to give the underground Church His protection and wisdom as they continue their walk with Jesus Christ. (Ge.28:15) More: http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=news&id=925&rnd=0.3931085
Afghanistan: Pilgrimage aftermath
Last week many travelled the Hajj route to perform a series of rituals believing it will bring them forgiveness. Often they go at great personal sacrifice and expense on this once in a lifetime trip that is required by their religion. We are asked to pray that as pilgrims return home they will realize the futility of their efforts and that they would have opportunities to hear the Gospel and turn to Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. Pray that the Church of Jesus Christ will grow in this the second poorest country in the world. Many of the women there have a hard life of poverty and abuse, with no rights and are controlled by their husbands or relatives. We are asked to pray for foreign workers teaching and working with these women, and pray also that the husbands and/or relatives of the women will continue to allow foreigners to meet with and teach them. Pray: for God's mercy and grace to bring more signs, wonders and revelations of Him to the people of Afghanistan. (Ac.4:12 ) More: http://politifi.com/news/Hajj-Muslim-Pilgrimage-Observed-In-Saudi-Arabia-PHOTOS-1302244.html
North Korea: Overview and country profile
North Korea is one of the world's most secretive societies, and still nominally under communist rule. Their nuclear ambitions have aggravated their rigidly maintained isolation from the rest of the world. North Korea’s roots were birthed in 1948 amid the chaotic end of World War II and its history is dominated by Kim Il-sung. As Christians we can pray for a rebirth of Korea out of the chaos of war into God’s provision of peace for the nation. After the Korean War, Kim Il-sung introduced the personal philosophy of 'Juche', or self-reliance, which became a guiding light for North Korea's development. As Christians we can pray for God’s guiding light Jesus Christ to be shone over the nation at this time as avenues of Christian support are touching the nation. (See Archdiocese of Seoul outreach to North Korea) Pray: for an end to ‘leadership dependence on cult personality’ and the beginning of ‘God's Rule’ for the whole nation. (Eze.18:23) More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/country_profiles/1131421.stm
Sudan: Police raid, corruption and Day of Prayer
The Sudan Council of Churches is scrutinising out-of-country referendum registration processes in Kenya, Uganda and Egypt, while also reporting that on Sunday the police stormed their offices. Seven vans with 200 police broke down doors and searched the building for ‘suspected hidden weapons.’ These events happen as Africa's biggest country is preparing to vote in a referendum to determine if the Muslim North and Christian South should separate. See: Because of fears that the referendum results could send Sudan back into another civil war; a global Day of Prayer for Sudan on December 5th has been called by The World Evangelical Alliance. It is believed that a) the South is not prepared to receive the anticipated influx of refugees from the North. b) the government in the North cannot guarantee Christians safe passage South. WEA’s prayer requests are for a peaceful and fair referendum with the outcome accepted by all involved. Pray: for God’s grace to be so poured out in Sudan that the referendum would be a beacon to the world of what God can do. (Is.59:1)
