MARCH/ APRIL 2021 barnabasfund.org - To help you pray for the persecuted Church - Barnabas Fund
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Church
MARCH/
persecuted
pray for the
To help you
APRIL 2021
barnabasprayer
BARNABAS FUND - AID AGENCY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
barnabasfund.org
BRINGING HOPE TO SUFFERING CHRISTIANS
Thank you for your prayers for our that those who are stirring up this
persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, opposition will cease their activities,
which make such a difference to them. We and that God’s Kingdom will continue
sometimes have to change or omit their to spread and grow.
names for security reasons, and we have
only limited space to share their stories. WEDNESDAY 3 Four Christians were
But the Lord knows the people and places killed by Islamist militants in a remote
we are praying about. Please do not feel Christian community on the island of
limited by the specific prayer requests, Sulawesi, Indonesia, on 27 November.
but pray as you feel led. On each Sunday One victim was beheaded, one had their
we have provided a set prayer; please feel throat slit, one had their neck broken and
free to use these in their current form, to one was burnt to death. They were all
adapt them as you prefer, or to use the adults from the same extended family.
information they contain to frame your The ten attackers also razed the church
own prayers. building and set light to six homes in the
village. Pray that the Lord will be a wall
of fire around this Christian community
March to protect them, as well as its glory
within. (Zechariah 2:5)
MONDAY 1 Recent years have seen
March/April 2021 2
periodic violent attacks on Christians
and mainly-Christian ethnic groups in
Ethiopia. Ask the Lord to give Ethiopian
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is a
Christian from a Muslim background,
wisdom, insight and strength as he
seeks to lead Ethiopia from division
to unity. Pray for an end to the anti-
Christian violence, comfort for the
grieving, healing for the wounded, and
food and shelter for the displaced.
TUESDAY 2 Many villagers are turning to Indonesian Christians mourn the four martyrs
Christ in a certain area of Chhattisgarh
state, India, but others are reacting THURSDAY 4 Iranian Christians Sam and
strongly against this and threatening Maryam are still hoping and praying for a
the Christians that they must abandon breakthrough in their efforts to have their
their new faith or else leave the area. toddler Lydia restored to them. At the
This would mean losing their homes time of writing Lydia is back in the state
and the land on which they depend for orphanage from which Sam and Maryam
their livelihoods. Pastors from outside adopted her when she was three months
the area are being banned from coming old. Last year a court ruled that she
to visit the new believers to teach and should be taken away from her parents
encourage them. The pressure on because they are converts from Islam and
the Christians is getting worse. Pray had been convicted of various “crimes”
relating to possessing evangelistic SATURDAY 6 Pray that the Church in
literature. An open letter signed by 120 Kazakhstan will be given courage to
Iranian lawyers and activists, has been continue to spread the Gospel, despite
sent to Iran’s head of judiciary, asking the fact it is illegal, and wisdom to
him to overturn the court’s decision. Ask know how best to do it. Ask that they
the God of hope to continue to fill Sam will remain steadfast when suffering
and Maryam with all joy and peace as persecution, whether from the
they trust in Him (Romans 15:13). Pray authorities or from the Muslim majority
for the safety of Lydia (now nearly 2½) community. Pray that the many legal
who has serious health problems, and restrictions on religious freedom will be
that the court’s decision will be reversed. removed, if this is the Lord’s will.
FRIDAY 5 Ask the Lord to protect and SUNDAY 7 Heavenly Father, we lift to you
strengthen Iraqi Christians who feel all Christian refugees and Christians
unsafe in their own homeland. Pray displaced within their own country. We
that God will guide those displaced ask that You will be their refuge and
by Islamist militants as to where they strong tower. Please watch over and
should settle down and make their care for all who have lost their homes,
future lives. Ask that the promise of possessions, farmland or livelihoods.
peace and stability made through the Fill them with your comfort and peace,
March/April 2021 3
prophet Micah long ago will be fulfilled a peace that transcends human
for them. “Everyone will sit under their understanding. Remind them that they
own vine and under their own figtree, and all Your people are only pilgrims
and no one will make them afraid, for passing through this world, that their
the Lord Almighty has spoken. All the true citizenship is in heaven, where
nations may walk in the name of their You have prepared a city for them. We
gods, but we will walk in the name of pray this in the Name of our Lord and
the Lord our God for ever and ever.” Saviour Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 11:16)
(Micah 4:4-5)
MONDAY 8 Rejoice with Christians
in Kyrgyzstan for answered prayer
concerning a key meeting in November
2020 about a new constitution being
created by the new government (installed
after a brief “revolution” the previous
month). The new Director of the State
Commission for Religious Affairs had
proposed to remove the secular status
of Kyrgyzstan and make it a Muslim
or Islamic state. The meeting took
place in a friendly atmosphere, and
representatives of all religions, scholars
and government officials spoke. It was
An Iraqi Christian signs to confirm receipt of agreed that Kyrgyzstan should remain
aid from Barnabas a secular state, with no single religion
having dominance. Thank the Lord for He was appointed interim president in
this. Christian speakers at the meeting September 2020, after a coup, for an
described the problems Christians face 18-month period. Ask that Christians will
and the authorities promised to help. Pray not be fearful but will be filled with peace,
that real change for the better may come. knowing God’s presence is with them.
TUESDAY 9 Two Christian families in FRIDAY 12 Ask the Lord God Almighty to
Laos were evicted because they refused restore peace and stability in northern
to renounce their Christian faith. Their Mozambique, where relationships
homes were then demolished on the between the Muslim majority and the
orders of the village chief. After about Christian minority used to be good.
a month living rough in the nearby Ask Him to touch the hearts of the
forest, depending on gifts of food from Islamist militants who have killed
other Christians, they were allowed to over 1,000 people since the violence
return to the village but not to rebuild began three-and-a-half years ago. Pray
their houses. A law passed in December that their efforts to teach their violent
2019 is supposed to ensure freedom to and extremist ideology to the local
worship for evangelical Christians, but Muslims will fail. Thank the Lord that
in rural situations it is as if the law did many Mozambican Muslims still reject
not exist. Pray that the Lao authorities violence in the name of Islam, and pray
March/April 2021 4
will ensure this law is put into practice. that these peace-loving Muslims may
come to know the Prince of Peace.
WEDNESDAY 10 The Christian presence
in Libya is mainly foreign migrant SATURDAY 13 Lift up to the Lord the Chin,
workers and refugees, but there are Karen and Kachin Christians and other
also a very small number of indigenous persecuted ethnic minorities in Myanmar
Libyan converts from Islam. Islamists (Burma) including the Rohingya people,
target Christians for killing, kidnap, who are mainly Muslims. Pray that they
forced conversion and sale in “modern- will be given strength to endure hardship
day slave markets”. Violence against as they live in camps for displaced people,
Christian refugees in detention and that all who have lost loved ones
centres is commonplace. Pray that will be comforted. Ask that military
our weak and vulnerable brothers perpetrators, and government leaders
and sisters in Libya may know the who have been complicit, will turn
truth of God’s promise: “Not by might in horror from their atrocities. Pray
nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says especially for Rohingya Christians, a very
the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6) small minority amongst the Rohingya
people, asking for the protection of those
THURSDAY 11 Islamist violence is on living as refugees in Bangladesh and
the rise in Mali and the small Christian vulnerable to attack by Rohingya Muslim
minority is especially likely to be extremists in the camps.
targeted. Pray that the president, Bah
Ndaw, a retired officer in the Malian Air SUNDAY 14 O Jesus, our Good Shepherd,
Force with a reputation for honesty, will we thank You for pastors, church-planters
be able to bring an end to the violence. and evangelists who serve You diligentlyin contexts of opposition and violence. Nigeria on Christmas Eve. One attack
Please provide for their practical needs, targeted a Christian village. In the
even as the Holy Spirit equips and other attack, Christian individuals were
empowers them for ministry. Guard and singled out, and five lined up. “Celebrate
protect them from violent attack, and, if it your Christmas with the present of the
is Your will, save them from harassment heads of these Christians,” said one of
by the authorities and unjust punishment the militants and the five were then shot
because of their obedient service to You. dead. Nigeria’s President Buhari had
We ask that their work will bear much said in a Christmas message, “For me,
fruit for Your Kingdom as more people providing security for all residents in
put their trust in You and believers are the country remains an article of faith.”
strengthened to face persecution with Pray that he will make this pledge a
courage and perseverance. reality and bring an end to the long-
running slaughter of Christians in parts
MONDAY 15 Thank the Lord for rapid of Nigeria.
Church growth in Nepal in a Hindu-
majority context of mixed opposition and THURSDAY 18 “She was a light that came
support for Christians. Pray that pastors and warmed me when I was drowning
and other believers will have wisdom and in my sorrow … I would have killed
boldness in sharing God’s Word, as it is myself if it were not for her.” A former
March/April 2021 5
now a criminal offence to try to convert prisoner in one of North Korea’s horrific
a Hindu or Buddhist to another religion. “re-education camps” explained how a
Pray that Nepali Christians may stand fellow-prisoner, who was a Christian,
firm in their faith, knowing that the Lord encouraged and supported her even
is an ever-present help in times of trouble though being caught doing this would
(Psalm 46:1). result in a severe beating. So many died
on the virtual starvation regime, said
TUESDAY 16 Give thanks that the one camp survivor, that corpses were
government of Niger (a country that burned every few days and their ashes
is 98% Muslim) has a history of scattered on the fields to make the
supporting religious freedom, which crops grow better. Thank the Lord for
was re-affirmed in the first article of the courage and fortitude of Christian
a 2019 law. However, Boko Haram prisoners and their willingness to keep
Islamist militants have reached even serving Him and helping others.
into Niger, threatening especially the
tiny Christian minority (less than FRIDAY 19 Farah Shaheen, a 12-year-
0.4%). Pray for their protection and ask old Christian girl, was abducted in
that the Lord who makes wars cease to Pakistan by a 45-year-old Muslim man
the ends of the earth will bring peace in who forced her to convert to Islam and
this troubled region. (Psalm 46:9) marry him. For about three months,
the police refused even to register
WEDNESDAY 17 At least 24 people were the case, despite her father’s repeated
killed, over 20 abducted and a church pleas. Instead, the police insulted and
burnt by jihadi militants during two threatened him whenever he came to
anti-Christian attacks in north-east the local police station to ask them torescue his daughter. After another two pray especially for vulnerable Christian
months, Farah was found by police in widows and their children, without a
a locked room with injuries to her feet, human defender, and we praise You that
apparently due to torture though she You are a father to the fatherless and
was too traumatised to say what had a defender of widows. We pray in the
happened. She is now back with her Name of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 68:5)
family where she has been the main
caregiver to her younger siblings since MONDAY 22 Pray for the protection of
their mother died five years ago. Pray Christians in Saudi Arabia, whether
that she will recover from her ordeal. migrant workers or Saudi converts
from Islam. Anyone can be punished
if they show their Christian faith in
public in any way, and potentially even
if caught praying with other Christians
in private. Converts also face the
possibility of execution as apostates
from Islam, although this is not known
to have happened in recent times. Give
thanks for some small moves towards a
more lenient interpretation of Islam in
March/April 2021 6
Saudi Arabia and pray that this will be
Farah Shaheen expanded to allow Muslims to choose
to follow another religion without being
SATURDAY 20 Pray that Christians in punished for their choice.
Russia will be filled with grace and
peace as they seek to live for the Lord TUESDAY 23 Somali Christians face the
and be salt and light in their society. strong possibility of violent attack, even
The situation varies across this huge death, for their faith in the Lord Jesus.
country, the largest in the world by Pray that they will find protection under
area and stretching across eleven time the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm
zones, but many believers and churches 91:1). The Somali Islamist militant
face harassment from the authorities. group Al-Shabaab controls much of
Pray that our brothers and sisters will southern and central Somalia and
be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent raises as much revenue as the Somali
as doves in the way they respond. government. One of their aims is to
(Matthew 5:13-16; 10:16) kill Somali converts from Islam. Pray
that these men of violence may have a
SUNDAY 21 Our loving Lord, we lift personal encounter with Jesus and give
up to you Christian women and girls their lives to Him.
living in contexts of marginalisation
and persecution, where they are often WEDNESDAY 24 Christians in Sri Lanka
doubly despised – for being women and come from Buddhist, Hindu and
for being Christians. Please provide Muslim backgrounds as well as from
for all their needs and protect them families who have been Christian for
from those who plan to harm them. We generations. Many are desperately poorand all are vulnerable to harassment the authorities will relent from their
and sometimes violent attack. Pray that harassment of Christians and will not
such persecution may cease, if it is the use the data from the October 2020
Lord’s will. Pray also for unity amongst census to track down Christians and
the Christian community, which spans persecute them. Ask the Lord to provide
the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil for the practical needs of Christians,
minority, so that the love of Christians who are mostly very poor, especially
for each other will be a witness for converts from Islam who often lose
Christ. (John 13:35) their jobs when they decide to follow
Christ. Christian children are banned
THURSDAY 25 Give thanks for the from attending church; pray that their
dramatic changes in Sudan over the parents will be enabled to bring them
last two years, as it moved from one of up in the way of the Lord.
the strictest Islamic governments in the
modern world to a secular state that SUNDAY 28 O Jesus, our Lord and Saviour,
guarantees freedom of belief, worship we thank you for every new convert
and religious practice to all and forbids from another religious background who
discrimination on the basis of religion. willingly takes up their cross to follow
Pray that Christians will make wise and You, enduring loss and suffering for Your
godly use of this freedom after 30 years sake, knowing that they may even have
March/April 2021 7
of harsh persecution. Pray also for the to lay down their life for You. Please
protection of the moderate Muslims in strengthen, encourage and protect them.
government who have brought these Equip them with all they need to grow in
changes to pass, thus making themselves the knowledge and love of You. Be very
a target for violence by extreme Muslims. close to those who have been rejected
by relatives, friends and community
FRIDAY 26 At the time of writing, Syria and assure them that their place in Your
is in a terrible predicament, ravaged by family can never be taken from them.
Covid-19 and cut off from outside help
by American sanctions. This follows MONDAY 29 Pray for Muslim-
their bitter civil war, which included background Christians in Tunisia that
violent anti-Christian persecution they will have opportunity and courage
in a country where Christians had to meet with each other, whether in
previously enjoyed respect and person or online, to worship You and
equality with the Muslim majority. build up their faith. Thank the Lord that
Give thanks that the faith of Christians churches for local Tunisian Christians
has emerged stronger from the furnace are not prevented from functioning,
of affliction. Pray that the Lord will even though they have no legal status.
continue to provide for them as they Pray that they may be given the same
rebuild their lives, and ask Him to have legal standing as the churches of
mercy on the whole country. expatriate Christians.
SATURDAY 27 Ask the Lord to uphold TUESDAY 30 In its final hours, the
Christians in Tajikistan, facing Trump administration in the US signed
increasingly restrictive laws. Pray that a Memorandum of Understandingwith Turkey about cultural property. for His protection in 2020 and believe
This appears to have granted the that by His grace they will be kept safe
Turkish state legal rights to claim the in 2021.
vast religious-cultural heritage of its
minority populations including Kurds,
Jews and many Christian communities April
such as Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians,
Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans and THURSDAY 1 Praise God that the
Maronites. The shocking agreement Church in Uzbekistan is growing and
responded to a request made by the that persecution is decreasing. Thank
Turkish government more than a year Him for the faith and courage of our
earlier. Turkey has a long track record brothers and sisters who still live daily
of “destroying minorities, desecrating with many risks and restrictions and
their holy sites, and erasing even their – for converts from Islam – the pain
memory from the landscape of their of rejection by friends and family. A
ancient, indigenous homelands,” said new rule requires all church leaders
an Armenian leader, Aram Hamparian. to receive theological training. Pray
Dr Elizabeth Prodromou, formerly of that God will use this to be a blessing
the US Commission on International to His people in Uzbekistan, and that
Religious Freedom, commented that their leaders will be enabled to study
March/April 2021 8
the agreement has “put the United for acceptable qualifications that will
States in the position of enabler to also equip them with all they need to
Turkey’s weaponization of cultural strengthen believers in their faith.
heritage policy, used for a century
as a cudgel to erase the country’s GOOD FRIDAY As we remember
vulnerable religious minorities.” Pray today, with thankfulness beyond
that the new American administration words, the death on the cross of
will act to protect the minorities of Jesus our redeemer, praise Him for
Turkey and their heritage. the perseverance of His martyred
followers, especially those who have
WEDNESDAY 31 The authorities in died in the last year, who did not love
Turkmenistan may not yet admit there their lives so much as to shrink from
is Covid-19 in their country but they death (Revelation 12:11). Pray that their
have introduced a strict lockdown. sacrifice will embolden others to endure
People used to be fined for wearing persecution and to be a powerful
face-masks but now masks are witness to their killers. Ask that the
mandatory. The few churches that exist Lord will comfort their grieving loved
are closed. But believers continued to ones, giving them His peace that passes
gather in small groups in homes for all understanding.
worship, Bible study and preaching
the Gospel. A Turkmen pastor told SATURDAY 3 In some parts of Vietnam,
Barnabas Fund that the Christians Christians are treated well, while in
are full of joy because the Church has other parts they suffer arbitrary arrest,
an unshakeable foundation in Jesus brutal police treatment and jail. Pray
Christ. They are very thankful to God that the good treatment will spreadthroughout this communist state mother had died that morning, that they
and that the 2018 law which requires may find peace, love and wholeness in
authorities to protect religious freedom Jesus Christ.
will be implemented whole-heartedly,
without efforts to ban Christian activity
on pretexts of harming social order or
national unity.
EASTER SUNDAY Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your victory
over death, which gives us, who trust
and love You, the sure and certain hope
of heaven. We pray for our brothers
and sisters who face harassment,
discrimination, violence and persecution Ramsis outside his shop, which sold
in their daily lives, who may have lost plastic goods and household items
(Source: Watani International)
homes, possessions and livelihoods just
because they follow You. We ask that
they will stand firm in the assurance of TUESDAY 6 Praise God for the brave and
this living hope and of their heavenly kind Muslim neighbours who protected
March/April 2021 9
inheritance that can never perish, spoil a Christian family in Egypt from an
or fade. May they be sustained by the angry Muslim mob on 25 November. The
comfort of Your Holy Spirit and Your mob, who attacked Christian homes and
resurrection power. (1 Peter 1:3-4) a church building in al-Barsha village,
Minya governorate, were enraged by an
MONDAY 5 Egyptian Christian brothers, allegation that a Christian called Girgis
Ramsis and Adel Hermina, each Sameeh had made a Facebook comment
ran a small shop in Alexandria. On that insulted Muhammad. Girgis said his
10 December Ramsis (47) heard a account had been hacked. The Christians
commotion as two Muslim brothers, defended their homes and church from
well known locally for their hatred and the stones and Molotov cocktails that the
harassment of Christians, approached mob threw, and the only person seriously
carrying knives, clubs and a sword. injured was an elderly Christian woman
Ramsis hastily began to bring in the whose face was burnt when a Molotov
goods displayed outside his shop, but the cocktail hit her bedroom. Four days later
Muslim men grabbed him and stabbed the extremist Muslims set fire to farm
him in the abdomen and neck. Adel huts where Christians kept the feed for
(60), coming from his shop next door, their cattle. They also called for a boycott
and Tareq Shenouda, another Christian of Christian-owned businesses. Pray
shop owner, arrived on the scene to help for an end to this persecuction of our
Ramsis but each got stabbed. Ramsis brothers and sisters.
died later in hospital. Senators and MPs
attended his funeral, showing solidarity WEDNESDAY 7 Christians in Egypt were
with the shocked Christian community. outraged in December 2020 when an
Pray for the two Muslim brothers, whose appeal court acquitted three Muslimmen who had been charged with enabled believers to draw close to the
stripping naked an elderly Christian Lord in more authentic ways; the result
woman, Suad Thabet, and dragging her was spiritual growth for the Christians
through the streets of al-Karm village and effective witness to non-Christians,
in Minya province during mob violence with many giving their lives to Christ.
in May 2016. Afterwards President Sisi Give thanks to our God, who in all things
apologised on behalf of the shocked works for the good of those who love
nation and ordered that the five Christian Him, who have been called according to
homes set on fire by the rioting Muslims His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
be repaired. Many moderate Muslims
expressed outrage at the acquittal and SATURDAY 10 Police in Shahjahanpur
a Muslim actress posted online photos district, Uttar Pradesh state, India,
of a life-size sculpture she had made of have been instructed to keep a watch
Mrs Thabet, while studying Fine Arts on Christian prayer meetings to see
at Minya University. It had been her if there are any unlawful efforts to
graduation project and the theme set convert people to Christianity. A new
was “a sculpture of a public figure in anti-conversion law came into effect in
Minya”. Praise God for this affirmation this state in November 2020 prohibiting
of Egyptian Christians by Egyptian conversion by “force, misrepresentation,
Muslims and pray that it will spread to undue influence, and allurement, or
March/April 2021 10
the whole Egyptian population. fraud, or marriage”. There are now
nine Indian states with legislation of
THURSDAY 8 Extremists conducted a this kind in force, making it very easy
pooja (Hindu religious ceremony) in the for Christians engaged in genuine
grounds of a Christian church in Goa, evangelism to be falsely accused of
India, on 30 December. The Christians using wrong methods. Pray that Indian
called the police, who asked the Christians will have courage to obey
extremists to move elsewhere but did God rather than human beings and
not file a report of the incident. Similar keep sharing the Gospel. (Acts 5:28-29)
incidents have occurred at churches in
other states across India and also at the SUNDAY 11 O Prince of Peace, we pray
famous Muslim tomb, the Taj Mahal. for the Christian town of Mozogo in
Pray that Christian and Muslim places the far north of Cameroon, attacked in
of worship in India will be treated with January by militants, armed with guns
respect by the majority community. and machetes, and a girl suicide bomber.
Please comfort those who mourn for
FRIDAY 9 The lockdown in India last the twelve dead, five of them children,
year has led to great blessing in some even as young as three years old. We ask
village Christian communities. Instead for Your healing touch on the injured,
of meeting just once a week in a big including six children seriously wounded.
Sunday service, the Christians began to We long to see the increase of Your
meet in small groups, each with its own government and of peace, and Your just
leader – mostly new young leaders who and righteous rule, as promised in Your
had had no active role in the large-scale Word. Please hasten this day and glorify
Sunday worship. The small meetings Your Name. (Isaiah 9:6-7)MONDAY 12 Boko Haram militants expected to be held in late June, will
attacked the mainly Christian village be successful. (Sign our Open Letter at
of Gabass in Far North Cameroon barnabasfund.org/save-nigeria)
in the early hours of 26 November,
killing at least three people and THURSDAY 15 Joseph Swanta (20), a
abducting another. On the same night, member of his church choir, heard
Boko Haram also attacked Guidi gunfire in his village in Plateau State,
village, also in the Far North, setting Nigeria, on 1 December. When it
fire to five homes. Rural Christian stopped, he went out to see if he could
communities in this part of Cameroon help the victims, despite the pleas
are frequent targets of Boko Haram, of his mother, Ruth. Ruth heard the
whose aim is to establish an Islamic gunfire resume and very soon heard
Caliphate in West Africa. Pray, in the her son’s scream as the Fulani militant
words of David, for our Cameroonian attackers shot him first in the hand
brothers and sisters, that the Lord will and then in the chest, killing him. Two
protect them from violent men who other Christians died in this attack. A
devise evil plans in their hearts and woman called Adegoke, who had been
stir up war. (Psalm 140:1-2) lying on her bed reading the Bible,
was abducted. Pray that the Lord, the
TUESDAY 13 At least 30 Christians maker of heaven and earth, will keep
March/April 2021 11
were killed, 14 seriously injured and His people in Nigeria from all harm,
ten young women and girls raped, in a watching over their lives and their
string of jihadi attacks on five villages coming and going. (Psalm 121:7-8)
in the north-east of the Democratic
Republic of Congo between 20
November and 3 December. According
to reports, the militants tried to force
some of the Christians to convert
to Islam and killed them when they
refused. Our heavenly Father knows all
the details – ask Him to comfort and
care for the survivors.
WEDNESDAY 14 Six Christians died
in an attack on the Christian village
of Ungwan Bido in Kaduna State, Joseph Swanta
Nigeria, on Sunday 29 November.
Pray for those who mourn for Silas, FRIDAY 16 North Korea punishes
Malaki, Geofree, Anna, Sunday and all religious believers, but often the
Fidelis. Pray too that Barnabas Fund’s harshest punishments are given to
campaign to have the deteriorating Christians. This is the conclusion of a
situation for Christians in North London-based research group, based
and Middle Belt Nigeria put on the on interviews with more than 100
agenda of the biennial Commonwealth North Koreans who had survived and
Heads of Government Meeting, escaped their country. From theirharrowing testimonies, the research MONDAY 19 Praise God that Imran
group identified 215 Christian victims Ghafur, a Pakistani Christian, has been
of persecution, some of them children, acquitted after more than eleven years
who had suffered in the period 1990- in prison on a charge of “blasphemy”.
2019. Arrest, interrogation, hideous He received a life sentence after being
torture and the terrible “re-education accused of burning a portion of the
camps” were the repeated theme of Quran while cleaning his bookshop in
these testimonies. Praise God for Faisalabad. Pray that our brother Imran
the faithfulness of our North Korean may be fully restored to hope and peace
brothers and sisters, as they suffer after his long ordeal of injustice and
for Christ. suffering (Joel 2:25-26). There are still
more than 20 Pakistani Christians
SATURDAY 17 Some North Korean in prison on charges of blasphemy, of
Christians manage to escape over the whom seven have been sentenced to
border to China but sometimes the death. Pray for them to be acquitted.
Chinese authorities forcibly return
them to North Korea. Engaging in TUESDAY 20 When three Muslim
religious activities while in China is men held up a rickshaw in Pakistan
a crime in North Korea, along with on 28 December in order to rob
religious practice, possessing religious the passengers, they found that the
March/April 2021 12
items, contact with religious persons, travellers were a group of Christians
attending places of worship, and including two teenage girls, whom
sharing religious beliefs. These are they decided to rape. Normally they
typically what North Korean Christians just robbed and did not rape, and said
are punished for. Remembering that afterwards, “We only raped because
nothing is too hard for the Lord they were Christian.” The older girl
(Genesis 18:14) pray that He will bring (aged 16) begged the men to leave her
relief to suffering Christians in and 14-year-old sister alone, which they did,
from North Korea. but gang-raped the older sister. Please
pray for our loving Lord’s peace for both
SUNDAY 18 O God of justice, we lift to girls, especially the 16-year-old.
You three of our Christian brothers
in Pakistan, who have been falsely WEDNESDAY 21 Sonia Bibi, a 24-year-
accused of “blasphemy” without any old Christian woman living in
evidence against them. We pray for Rawalpindi, Pakistan, was shot in the
Azeem, who was arrested on Christmas head on 30 November and died on
Day, and for Saleem and Abbas, from her way to hospital. A Muslim man
the same village, who were advised to had wanted to marry her, but Sonia
surrender themselves to the police so and her parents declined the offer,
that their whole Christian community knowing that marrying a Muslim would
would not be attacked by an angry mob. mean converting to Islam. Her suitor
Lord, may their innocence be proved. then threatened to kill her. “We are
We ask this in the Name of our Saviour Christians from generations,” said her
Jesus Christ, who was Himself falsely father, “and Sonia was a true Christian
accused. (Isaiah 30:18) and strong in her faith and she hasbeen killed for following her Christian who mourn and those who still do not
faith.” Sonia, a domestic servant, was an know whether their loved ones are alive
important breadwinner for the family, or dead. (2 Corinthians 1:3)
as her father is a low-paid sanitary
worker and her mother has a disability FRIDAY 23 “A new war with Armenia is
which means she has had to give up now inevitable … This time the war will
work. Pray that the Lord will protect, go to the territory of Armenia.” This
comfort and provide for Sonia’s family. tweet from Ahmad Shahidov, head of
the Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy
and Human Rights, is one of a number
of Azerbaijani threats to the country of
Armenia, which have been made since
Muslim-majority Azerbaijan, supported
by Turkey, attacked the enclave of
Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2020,
and successfully seized control of much
of its territory. This part of Azerbaijan
is inhabited by Armenians, who are
Christian. Pray that Armenia, the first
Christian nation in the world, will not
March/April 2021 13
be conquered by the Muslim armies of
Azerbaijan and its allies.
SATURDAY 24 Today is the annual
commemoration of the terrible genocide
Sonia Bibi of Armenian, Assyrian, Syriac and
Greek Christians, in which an estimated
THURSDAY 22 At the time of writing 3.75 million people died in the Turkish
there are known to be around 150 Ottoman Empire over a period of time,
Armenian soldiers held by Azerbaijan the worst year being 1915. Many countries
as prisoners-of-war and still alive. have not yet officially recognised these
But the fate of 1,300 other Armenians terrible mass murders of men, women
is still unknown, after the short and and children as a genocide. Pray that the
bloody war in September-October 2020 international petition and campaign,
when Muslim-majority Azerbaijan which Barnabas Fund and others are
seized territory in the Armenian- running at present, will persuade more
populated enclave of Nagorno- governments to acknowledge this as
Karabakh. Christianity is a vital part of genocide and act to protect Armenians
Armenian identity. At least 11 Armenian from being targeted for destruction again.
prisoners-of-war have been killed by (barnabasfund.org/armenian-genocide)
the Azerbaijainis and videos show the
beheadings of two elderly civilians SUNDAY 25 O God, we rejoice that You
by men dressed in the uniform of the know us fully and one day we shall
Azerbaijani armed forces. Pray that the see You face to face. Please help Your
God of all comfort will console those children in China. As surveillance intheir country increases, and facial Saudi Arabia. Another attraction is the
recognition cameras tell the police way in which Islam does not separate
exactly who went to church, who spoke religion from state, which fits with
to whom and what the sermon was local people’s preference for religion
about, let our brothers and sisters not to be central in their daily lives. Pray
become fearful. Though earthly life is that Christians will love the Lord so
very hard for Chinese Christians, fill strongly that they will not convert to
them with confident hope that one day Islam despite these attractions.
You will wipe every tear from their eyes,
Your Name will be on their foreheads, WEDNESDAY 28 From small beginnings
and they will see Your face. We pray in the 1970s, when Muslim labourers
this in Christ’s Name. (1 Corinthians and diplomats arrived, Islam has
13:12; Revelation 21:4; 22:4) been growing in Papua New Guinea.
An Islamic Society was established
MONDAY 26 Five Christians in Shenzhen, in the early 1980s, the first mosque
Guangdong province, China have was opened in 2001 (with an imam
been prosecuted for selling audio Bible from Saudi Arabia, later replaced by a
players (small electronic devices that Wahhabi Muslim from Nigeria), and
play pre-loaded digital audio files). They the first Islamic school in 2004. The
were found guilty of “illegal business number of Papuan Muslim converts
March/April 2021 14
operations”. Some who bought the Bible increased by 1,000% in the first twelve
players, which are very popular with years of this century. The Christian
Chinese Christians, have been warned majority began reacting strongly,
by police that they were potentially and sometimes violently, against the
breaking the law by purchasing them. Muslims. Some Christians wanted
This is apparently part of the atheist legal solutions to ensure the continued
Chinese authorities’ increasingly strict primacy of Christianity. Pray that the
control of Bibles in their vast country. Lord will lead Papuan Christians in a
Praise God that no earthly authority loving, just and righteous response to
can prevent the Word that goes out this challenge. Ask that they will be
from God’s mouth accomplishing what filled with peace-loving wisdom from
He desires (Isaiah 55:11). heaven. (James 3:17)
TUESDAY 27 When missionaries THURSDAY 29 The Muslim minority
brought the Gospel to the Pacific in the Solomon Islands is divided
Islands, it was welcomed eagerly in between two extremes of the Islamic
many places, though violently opposed spectrum. This is the result of two
in some. Eventually this part of the separate Muslim missionary efforts
world became strongly Christian. But in the late 20th century: Ahmadiyyas
in the 21st century, Islam is beginning (regarded as heretics by most Muslims)
to advance. One attraction seems to and the Tablighi Jamaat (a strict and
be practical help, and many children very conservative Sunni group). From
from Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu twelve Muslims in 1998, the number of
have had a free education at Islamic Muslims could now be in the thousands.
schools in Malaysia, Yemen, Fiji and Many of the new converts to IslamMarch/April 2021 15
A church in Vanuatu (Source: Luganville Baptist Church)
blame Christianity for destroying became Muslims, all living in the
their traditional customs, including same village on a tiny island and
retribution, gender segregation and worshipping on the beach. Later Islam
polygamy. They like Islam’s external spread to other parts of Vanuatu. By
codes of behaviour, which they feel 2007, mosques were already appearing
hopeful of adhering to, rather than on several islands even though there
the impossibly high Christian goal of were estimated to be only 100-200
perfect inner holiness, which they say Muslim converts. The constitution
leads to immorality in society. Pray that of Vanuatu guarantees freedom of
church leaders in this country, which is religion but also states that Vanuatu
approximately 90% Christian, will teach is founded on “traditional Melanesian
believers clearly about salvation by faith values, faith in God, and Christian
not works, and Jesus’s redeeming death principles”. In 2017 the president of
once for all. Vanuatu declared, “We have only
one religion in Vanuatu and that is
FRIDAY 30 Islam is said to have come Christianity. We have declared this
to the Melanesian nation of Vanuatu nation in Yahweh’s name and no other
when a local Christian went to India God.” Pray that Christianity will
to train as a Bible translator and continue to flourish in Vanuatu, and for
converted to Islam before returning wisdom and justice in responding to
home in 1978. Scores of his relatives the growth of Islam.International Headquarters Germany
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