Prayer for Persecuted Christians

Read the latest developments below and join with us in prayer for Christians persectued because of their faith. This information was taken from Release International www.releaseinternational.org

Iraq

Several Christians have been killed and others kidnapped in the city of Mosul in the run up to parliamentary elections on 7th March.

On 16th February 2 Christian students from Mosul University were attacked, Zayia Thomas was shot dead and Ramsin Shmael was injured. On the 17th 20 year old Wissam Georges was killed and two shop keepers Fatukhi Munir and Rayan Salem Elias were murdered. Reuters news agency reports that eight Christians were killed in Mosul in less than a fortnight last month.

Christians are also being specifically targeted for kidnappings. 3 Christians have been abducted earlier this month in efforts, it would appear, to drive believers out of the city. Many see the attacks as trying to persuade Christians from voting in the upcoming election.

Please pray that Christians know the peace of God and know him as their refuge and place of safety.
Pray that the elections will be fair and Christians will be able to stand up for what they believe in the face of persecution, and that minorities like Christians will be fairly represented in the new parliament.

Nigeria

A group of Muslims have burnt down 8 churches and some Christian shops in the city of Kazaure, Jigawa state. This follows news that a Muslim tractor driver had been killed allegedly after being chased by the police for a traffic offence.

The Muslim crowd protested at the police station against the man’s death, but were chased away and now appear to be venting anger onto the Christian community. Human Rights group International Christian Concern reports that relations between the two faith communities have been stretched since clashes in January, in which 300 people were killed.

Please pray for the Christians that have lost their churches and businesses, that the community will support each other and find strength and comfort in God.
Pray that the authorities act to improve inter-faith relations in the city.

Pakistan

An armed mob has attacked the Christian community in the Pahar Ganj settlement. On 21st February around 150 men raided the settlement, beating Christians, destroying property and churches and shooting at people’s homes.

'Seeing (the mob) approach the church, I closed the main gate,' local Christian Ashraf Pervaiz told UCA News. 'But they jumped over the gate... and opened fire on the church. I tried to stop them but they kept beating me with sticks and weapons.'

The raid, which lasted 2 hours, was allegedly caused by a row between a Muslim grocer and a group of Christians who intervened in a reported assault on a child by the grocer.

Peace talks have now begun between the communities, UCA News reports the talks 'aimed at forming a joint committee and preventing similar attacks in future'. More than 200 Muslims and Christians met together to discuss the recent raid.

Please pray for peace in the region and for easing of tensions between the communities.
Thank God for the peace talks and pray much fruit will be borne from them.

Feedback:

	Me (Guest)	09/04/2010 20:13
And Can you please also pray for hundred of thousands of Muslims persecuted in Palestine, Afghanistan,Iraq,Nigeria and chechnia. Lets be honest and truthful...thats what all religions teach us.
	Al Kafir (Guest)	11/04/2010 17:50
All religions persecute all other religions somewhere or other, they are totally intolerant of each other, historically and contemporarily. Whatever Humpty Dumpty club you belong to, be it Christian, muslim whatever.Why not grow up, forget these backward theologies and adopt a Humanist approach to life. By the way there is no god but Santa and Rudolf is his messenger-cheers Al Kafir
	Liz (Guest)	21/04/2010 19:33
It's really amazing, but the only people that have been persecuted and are still being persecuted are the Christians throughout this world. Jesus even said that since we (Christians) are His followers, that we will also be persecuted. Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for all of our sins and making our home in heaven.