Nigeria: Potential ethnic violence flaring
Violence between the the Berom Christians and Hausa Fulani communities flared up in March this year and community leaders in Nigeria's Plateau State are appealing again for calm in villages outside the city of Jos. At least six people - women and children - were killed, cattle slaughtered and homes burned in one village this week. In January and March this year, similar attacks prompted a spiral of rioting and killing in the region that left hundreds of people dead. Leaders in Ranwianku are urging residents not to think of revenge. In one incident an elderly woman, unable to flee the armed gang, was killed along with a young mother and four small children. Ranwianku is a predominantly Christian settlement. The attackers spoke the Fulani language. Pray: that the two communities would learn to love their neighbour and live together peacefully. (Mt.6:12-13)
Vietnam: Crackdown on Christians
Since August thousands of armed soldiers, police and security forces have been trying to ‘wipe out’ Christians who refuse to join a state-approved church. The security forces have been ‘strategically placed’ to watch Christians in 23 villages in Vietnam's mountainous Gia Lai province to ensure no one is still worshipping God or attending an independent church for worship. The security police are ordered to arrest, torture and send to prison any one who violates this religious law. There was no immediate comment from Vietnamese officials, but the Foreign Ministry has in the past denied reports of wrongdoing. Vietnam's Communist government allows Christians to join the official Evangelical Church of Vietnam but many Degar Christians prefer to worship in house churches.‘The Vietnamese government has created a new religion and built a new church but it is not religion and church that we need.’ said a local Christian. Pray: for Vietnamese Christians to have the right to worship Jesus Christ in the church of their hearts.(Jn.4:23)
INSIGHT ARTICLE: Christian minorities in Iraq
More than twelve bombs struck Baghdad on Tuesday evening, killing 36 people and wounding 320 others in coordinated blasts two days after Al Qaeda linked gunmen stormed a church in one of the deadliest attacks in a year. (see item 1 above). Baghdad security officials were considering an immediate curfew on the city. ‘We don’t know what’s happening right now. There are so many explosions and reports we’re overwhelmed’ said an anonymous interior ministry official. The bombings were spread among coffee shops over a one-hour period in the early evening. Almost eight months after Iraqis went to the polls there is still no new government in place. Many say this political deadlock fuelled the violence. In 2008 the Chaldean Archbishop of Kirkuk, Luis Saca, asked the Iraqi government to protect Iraq’s Christians; for INSIGHT to aid intercession for Christians in Iraq click 'info'. Pray: for persecuted and displaced Christians to know God's provision and comfort and for God to raise up a righteous government. (Nu.15:16) More: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/IraqChristiansNov1.pdf
Iraq: Christians have requested our prayers
Middle East Concern have forwarded a prayer request for Iraqi Christians following a major incident at the Syrian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad Sunday. Claims of responsibility have appeared on websites used by extremists. Christian leaders in Iraq are concerned that this attack might prompt further internal displacement of Christians within Iraq. Iraqi Christians request our prayers that: a. The bereaved will know the peace, presence and comfort of Jesus. b.The wounded and traumatised will know the healing touch of Jesus. c. Those involved in providing pastoral care will know the Spirit's grace and gentleness. d. Christians across Iraq will know the Father's protection. e. The security situation in Baghdad will improve. f. Any Christians that feel obliged to leave Baghdad will find places of safety and be able to return soon. g. Church leaders in Baghdad will know the Spirit's guidance in all things, especially concerning services. Pray: that God would use every situation to draw people to Himself and strengthen the believers in Iraq. (Jn.8:36)
