Prayer Tips

Pakistani Christian Men ‘Falsely’ Accused of Blasphemy Two young Pakistani Christians have been accused of blasphemy, resulting in threats by local Muslims to burn them alive. The two men, Nasir (aged 20) and Hanif (aged 24) -- known to be best friends in the town of Rahwali, a suburb of Gujranwala -- were implicated in a what is alleged to be a false case of blasphemy under article 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, according to a report from CLASS (Center for Legal Aid Assistance Settlement). Rev Sharif Allam, a local pastor serving in the Church of Pakistan in Gakhar, about 75 kilometers (an estimated 46 miles) from Lahore, and Mr. Joseph Francis, National Director of CLAAS, told that both men have been “falsely implicated” in the blasphemy case and have “fled the area in fear of their lives.” Rev Allam, who helps the Christian community in social, economic, political and legal affairs, said the matter is a “very sensitive issue in the area” and that the Muslim commun...

Ethiopian Muslims Burn Down Christian Homes and Farms Twenty-five Muslims are reported to have burned down 10 Christian homes, leaving 80 Christians homeless in Goda district of Jimma, Ethiopia. “The assailants asked the Christians to leave their homes and told them, ‘We will show you what we are going to do to your homes and if you inform this to anyone we will burn you the way we burn your homes.’ Then they set the Christian homes on fire and began celebrating by singing near the burned homes.”   Finally, one of the Christians managed to escape and report the attacks to district officials after walking for 16 hours. The police temporarily arrested the person who led the attack and a local official. But they were later released on bail. The Muslims have prevented the Christians from rebuilding their homes and the Christians now live under trees.

Chinese House Churches Raided, Two Foreign Pastors Missing On Sunday, September 26, 2010, Youqing Church in Qu County, Da Prefecture, Sichuan province, China, was raided by the local police. “Objects were smashed, books were confiscated and people were taken to the local police station,” said a ChinaAid spokesperson. “Their family members were requested to pay money to bail out the detainees. “On September 29th at 5 p.m. local time, four of the church members attempted to negotiate with Sichuan police in hopes of having their confiscated belongings returned to them in accordance with law. Instead, they were arrested on the spot.”

Burmese Officials Order Closure of Church in Chin State Officials in Chin state, Burma, ordered a Baptist church to cease holding worship services after the pastor refused to wear an election campaign T-shirt supporting the military government’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). The election commission summoned 47-year-old Pastor Mang Tling of Dawdin village, Gangaw township, Mergui division on Nov. 9, two days after the election and ordered him to stop holding services and discontinue the church nursery program.

Restricted Nation: Cuba A little history about Cuba: Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, threatening Cubans with socialism or death. In February 2008, as his health declined, President Fidel Castro turned power over to his brother Raul Castro. Observers hoped the change in leadership would bring more openness, but some Cuban Christians say it has gotten worse. Category: Restricted Nation Religion: Christian 46.88%, Non-Religious/Other 35.47% Ideology: Communism Head of State: President Raul Castro Ruz In the 1960s, Castro promised to rid the country of religion within 10 years. Forty-eight years later, there are eight times more Christians than before. Out of the population of 11 million, nearly one million are believers. Strict regulations against house churches went into effect in September 2005, prohibiting a church from being located within a mile and a quarter of another of the same denomination and restricting meetings to three per week. Other regulation...

Iran's Supreme Leader Targets the Church Iran's Supreme Leader is taking off the mask. Todd Nettleton with  Voice of the Martyrs USA says, "This is another step in what is becoming a very open animosity between the Iranian government and the house church movement in Iran." On Oct.19, Ayatollah Khamenei gave a speech in which he mentions the various ways in which he sees that Islam is attacked. He noted that young Muslims are being separated from the pure principles of Islamic faith by distractions, differing philosophies, and religions. In this speech, the ayatollah warned about the danger presented by the "network of house churches." The rapid growth of the church has been noted by both the Christians and by the Iranian government. The fact that Khamenei took special care to target the network of house churches is telling, and it could have a long-term effect that can't be determined yet. Nettleton says, "The concern is that local o...

Christian areas targeted in Baghdad attacks Iraqi Christians ‘terrified’; many prepare to leave country A series of bombings and mortar attacks targeting Christian areas has killed at least three people in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, security sources say. Six districts with strong Christian majorities were hit, and at least 24 people have been injured.   The attacks come days after more than 40 people died when Islamist militants seized a Catholic cathedral. The violence comes as top-level talks on resolving the country's political crisis ended without agreement.   Iraq's political leaders have been negotiating on forming a new government since inconclusive elections in March. Threat "Two mortar shells and 10 home-made bombs targeted the homes of Christians in different neighbourhoods of Baghdad between 0600 and 0800 (0300 and 0500 GMT)," an unnamed official told AFP news agency. More attacks on Christians in Baghdad a week after massacre Tw...

Afghan Christian to go to trial on Sunday for his faith Said Musa was arrested on 31 May. He is set to appear before a judge without legal counsel and without knowledge of the charges against him. Many fear he might be made an example to show that Sharia is the law of the land. Kabul :– An Afghan national, in prison since May because of his religion, will be put on tried this Sunday. However, he has been denied legal counsel. Local sources say no one knows what charges will be laid against him when he goes before a judge. The authorities arrested Said Musa, 45, on 31 May, a day after a local station, Noorin TV , broadcast images of Christians praying after being baptised. This was followed by a wave of arrests against Christians in what local sources describe as a manhunt. Apparently, Said Musa is the only Christian to go on trial. Leaving Islam for another religion is a capital offence under Afghanistan’s Islamic law, despite the fact that the Taliban lost power in 2...

Brunei has been added to a human trafficking watch list as a destination for forced laborers. Pray for an immediate end to this illegal and destructive activity. Pray for the freedom of those who are lured into slavery. Ask the Lord to move in the hearts of those who run human trafficking rings, drawing them into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for the Gospel to be preached throughout Brunei. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out and for the Kingdom of God to come to this nation with great power. (Isaiah 61:1)

Syrians have been fleeing across the border into Lebanon to escape the unrest in their country. "Hundreds of women and children" are among the refugees and many have reportedly made the trip on foot. Pray for this time of upheaval and displacement to become an opportunity for the Gospel to reach these people. Pray for the Church in Lebanon to receive the refugees and share God's love with them. Pray for the Holy Spirit to continue moving in this nation, drawing the hearts of the Lebanese people into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Pray for God's Kingdom to come to Lebanon and the Middle East. (Psalm 146:9)

A recent report says that Qatar has a record of repression, torture and other human rights abuses. "There are not adequate systems in place, in practice, to ensure prompt, independent investigation of allegations of torture or ill treatment," one human rights group notes. Pray for the government of Qatar to take action against these abuses. Pray for the salvation of key leaders in this nation. Ask the Lord to pour His Holy Spirit out on Qatar and bring forth a tremendous harvest of souls. Pray for those who are in bondage of this country to be set free and put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Invite God's Kingdom to come to Qatar as it is in heaven. (I Timothy 2:1-4)