Persecution and Prayer Alert, Voice of the Martyrs
Two church buildings bombed in Kenya
 | By News on the Net (Bio and Archives) Thursday, July 5, 2012 | Print friendly | Subscribe | Email Us |
On July 1, several militants launched simultaneous attacks on two churches in Garissa, Kenya—a provincial capital about 120 miles west of the Somalia border. Suspicion for the attacks immediately fell upon al-Shabab, a Somalia-based militant group that western governments say has links to al-Qaida. However, at last report authorities have not officially named any suspects.
In the first attack, assailants threw grenades in a church building before entering and shooting. Others were shot by gunmen as they fled the building. At least 17 were killed in the attack, including two police officers who were on guard as a precaution against militant Muslims.
The second attack occurred at a church just two miles away. Three were seriously injured when grenades were thrown into the building. More than 70 others were injured as a result of the two attacks.
Please pray for believers in Kenya who have suffered injury or the loss of loved ones. Pray that they will remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray for God’s intervention to end al-Shabab and for the spread of the gospel amongst Somali and Kenyan Muslims.
To share your own prayer requests for these suffering brothers and sisters, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.
The August edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will share testimonies of believers facing persecution from al-Shabab in Somalia. To receive your free copy, go to our Newsletter Subscription Page.
Christians detained for distributing religious literature in Azerbaijan
(Source: Forum 18 News Service)
Police in Azerbaijan have threatened six Christians with criminal prosecution for sharing their beliefs with others and handing out religious literature. In Azerbaijan, all religious activity without state permission is illegal. Religious literature can only be given away or sold if it has passed through compulsory state censorship and only then in specialized state-approved shops. Heavy punishments are imposed for breaking these restrictions.
Three of the Christians were detained in Khachmaz Region on the morning of June 23. They were held until 1 a.m. the following morning. At last report, the believers were at home expecting to be summoned for further questioning. Three others were detained the month before on May 17 in the town of Kusar. A car belonging to one of the believers was confiscated along with Christian literature.
Thank the Lord for the faithfulness of these believers in Azerbaijan who have chosen to follow the Great Commission rather than the rules of men. Ask Him to strengthen their faith. Pray that they will not face charges or fines. Pray that their passion for Christ will be the light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).
For more on the persecuted Church in Azerbaijan, please visit the Azerbaijan Country Report.
Church buildings destroyed, schools confiscated in Sudan
(Sources: Compass Direct News, Middle East Concern)
Authorities in Khartoum, Sudan, demolished two church buildings on June 18, just days after confiscating three Christian schools.
One of the churches destroyed was informed in April that it, along with several other church buildings, would be demolished due to lack of structural integrity (for more, click here). However, church leaders were later informally notified that the orders would not be carried out. The destruction of the church building has raised concern that other churches will also be destroyed.
Church leaders said persecution was intensifying following the secession of South Sudan in July 2011, with officials targeting churches they claim to be associated with now unwelcome, largely Christian, South Sudanese people living in the Islamic-ruled country. Authorities have stated that there is a reduced need for Christian-operated schools because many people of South Sudanese origin (many of them Christians) have left Sudan. However, Christian leaders believe that these schools continue to meet a clear need.
Please pray that the government will allow all church property to continue being used for its intended purposes. Pray that church leaders will know the Spirit’s guidance and wisdom at this time. Pray that those opposing the Church in Sudan will know Christ’s love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).
For more information on the trials Christians face in Sudan, go to the Sudan Country Report.
Officials destroy two new church buildings in Vietnam
(Source: Compass Direct News)
Vietnamese officials in Muong Cha district, Dien Bien Province, destroyed two new church buildings belonging to ethnic minority Hmong Christians and threatened to tear down a third.
The Ho He Church, erected in April by the unregistered Vietnam Good News Mission, was demolished on June 17. The Phan Ho Church of the registered Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) was destroyed days earlier on June 13. The church building threatened with demolition, The Cong Church, also belongs to the Vietnam Good News Mission.
The Hmong Christian movement in Vietnam’s Northwest Mountainous Region has grown from virtually nothing to some 400,000 believers in the last two decades. The Hmong Christians remain under heavy government suspicion and are regularly objects of harassment and sometimes outright persecution.
According to a trusted source, these incidents demonstrate the dysfunction of the government’s church registration regime. More than half of Vietnam’s Protestants remain unregistered. Hundreds of these congregations have tried to apply for registration, only to have officials simply refuse to accept the applications. Others are told they cannot register because they are not legal or because there are no Christians where they live.
Pray the Lord will encourage the faith of these believers, particularly the church leaders. Pray that in spite of these setbacks and the opposition they face, God will fill the believers’ hearts with peace beyond comprehension as they bring their needs to Him with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7). Pray that God will soften the hearts of those opposing Hmong Christians in Vietnam.
Visit the Vietnam Country Report to learn more about the opposition our brothers and sisters face in Vietnam.
