MAY/JUNE 2020 barnabasfund.org/au - To help you pray for the persecuted Church - Barnabas Fund
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Church
persecuted
pray for the
To help you
barnabasprayer
BARNABAS FUND - AID AGENCY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
BRINGING HOPE TO SUFFERING CHRISTIANS
MAY/JUNE 2020
barnabasfund.org/au
Thank you for your prayers for our through this crisis, and that our attitude
persecuted brothers and sisters in to danger and suffering will cause
Christ, which make such a difference to others to turn to Him too.
them. We sometimes have to change or
omit their names for security reasons, SATURDAY 2 An American missionary
and we have only limited space to share doctor in Kenya described the strong
their stories. But the Lord knows the spirituality that is sustaining many
people and places we are praying about. East African Christians in the midst
Please do not feel limited by the specific of the coronavirus causing such
prayer requests, but pray as you feel led. fear around the world: “There is a
On each Sunday we have provided a set remarkable, steadfast faith in God’s
prayer; please feel free to use these in goodness, even in the midst of the
their current form, to adapt them as you shaking. People who’ve learned
prefer, or to use the information they to trust God in the uncertainty of
contain to frame your own prayers. tropical disease, civil war, and hunger,
develop an unshakeable awareness
of the Lord’s trustworthiness.” Praise
May God for such an example to us, and
pray that our brothers and sisters in
FRIDAY 1 “If Christians are more afraid Africa will continue to stand firm,
May/June 2020 2
of death than the world during a letting nothing move them, giving
disaster, then the suffering they have themselves fully to the work of the
endured would be in vain. God wants us Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
to overcome difficulties through Him.
The epidemic provides an opportunity SUNDAY 3 O Lord, who heals the broken-
for us to introspect our faith, reflect on hearted and binds up their wounds, who
ourselves, strengthen our spiritual life determines the number of the stars and
and to depend on God.” These were the calls them each by name, we rejoice
words of Senior Pastor Huang Lei of that nothing is too big for you to handle
the Root and Fruit Church in Wuhan, or too small for you to be interested in.
China, where the coronavirus pandemic Protect our bodies from the Covid-19
began. Pray that Christians across the virus and keep our hearts from fear.
world will grow in their faith as we learn We ask, in Jesus’ Name, especially for
to depend more and more on the Lord, our persecuted Christian brothers and
sisters, who have already endured so
much suffering because of their love for
Him, that You will strengthen them with
grace upon grace to cope with this new
danger. (Psalm 147:3-4)
MONDAY 4 Coinciding with coronavirus,
another devastating natural disaster
has been afflicting East Africa, parts
of the Middle East, Iran and Pakistan
Pastor Huang Lei – a plague of locusts. By March theravenous swarms had already caused a mainstream church, so they would not
catastrophic loss to crops and pasture. be able to get the food. Please pray that
But the eggs which that generation laid our heavenly Father will provide for His
were due to hatch in late April/early May children at this time.
in East Africa, potentially magnifying
the disaster enormously. In many of THURSDAY 7 “This will be a pea in an
the locust-affected areas, Christians elephant’s mouth,” said a Nepalese
are discriminated against, poor and church leader to Barnabas Fund as
persecuted. Pray to the Lord who he described the near-futility of his
answered Moses’ prayers and blew away church’s efforts to raise funds to help
the locusts in Egypt long ago, asking coronavirus crisis lockdown victims
that He will again cause a locust plague in his country. Christians in Nepal are
to disappear. (Exodus 10:18-19) restricted and harassed in many ways.
Pray that their efforts to help will be
TUESDAY 5 In many countries, where appreciated in this strongly Hindu
church services are not presently country. An estimated 50,000 Nepali
allowed because of coronavirus, labourers, who had been working in
Christians are quickly learning the Covid-infected India, hastily crossed
skills necessary to provide their Sunday back into Nepal just before India closed
worship online in some form. But, the border, and scattered themselves
May/June 2020 3
in some countries, poverty or other across the country as each went to
reasons make this impossible, for their own family home. Pray that the
example Namibia where only 10% of the virus will be contained in this poor and
population have access to the internet. underdeveloped land.
Pray for Christians who are cut off from
all spiritual nourishment, just at the FRIDAY 8 The people of north-east
time when they must face new danger India have facial features rather like
(from coronavirus) and new hardship Chinese people, and they include many
(from lockdown and loss of income). Christians. They are encountering
Ask that the Counsellor and Comforter, discrimination and harassment in
the Holy Spirit, will teach them in their other parts of India, because the
hearts and remind them of everything coronavirus outbreak began in China.
that Jesus has said, so that they will be They are being “teased, abused and
filled with His peace. (John 14:25-26) humiliated by the people, who are
calling them ‘Coronavirus’. Some shops
WEDNESDAY 6 Sri Lankan Christian are refusing to sell them groceries.
converts from Buddhism and Hinduism Landlords are asking them to vacate
are greatly disadvantaged in their the houses,” wrote an Indian Christian
country’s response to coronavirus. A leader to Barnabas Fund. Pray that
Sri Lankan pastor, giving an update to the Christians affected may react with
Barnabas on 27 March, explained that Christ-like forgiveness, and thus be a
the government had announced it would powerful witness for Him. Pray that all
distribute food through the majority hostility to Chinese people and those
places of worship. But converts cannot who look Chinese will cease, in every
show themselves either at a temple or at country of the world.SATURDAY 9 In their fear about the the face of this unprecedented danger.
effects of coronavirus, some Indians (2 Chronicles 7:14)
have reacted strongly against foreigners,
including Westerners. There are TUESDAY 12 In response to coronavirus,
examples of verbal abuse, harassment churches and mosques in Jos, Plateau
and even stoning of foreigners. This State, Nigeria, were asked to ensure a
spells trouble for Indian Christians maximum of 50 worshippers at a time.
who are always struggling to convince When about 30 Christians with medical
the Hindu majority that they are loyal expertise met at their church to discuss
Indian citizens, not agents of the West. how to address the Covid-19 challenge,
Pray that such intolerance and violence the meeting was disrupted and brutally
may cease and that Christians may be harassed by state officials. However,
able to bring peace and hope to their when multitudes gathered at a mosque
fellow Indians. for Friday prayers, far exceeding the
supposed maximum of 50, the state
SUNDAY 10 O Lord, You are our refuge authorities took no action and did not
and our fortress, our God in Whom we even issue a reprimand. Pray for grace
trust. Surely You will save us from the and strength for our brothers and sisters
fowler’s snare and from the deadly in Jos as they deal with this kind of
pestilence. You will cover us with Your injustice and harassment on top of other
May/June 2020 4
feathers, and under Your wings we will coronavirus challenges.
find refuge. Thank you for the promises
in Your Word that bring hope and WEDNESDAY 13 Many churches
comfort to all in danger, whether from in drought-ridden Namibia are
violence or from virus, from persecution distributing food parcels and making
or from pain. Keep and protect all their water taps available for use by
Christians who suffer oppression and the community, because people in the
discrimination, and all who are suffering shanty towns do not have access to
from coronavirus or from its effects on water. The country has been put under
jobs, income and daily life. We pray in a martial-law style of lockdown. “We
Jesus’ Name. (Psalm 91:2-4) hope that our Lockdown Theologies will
bring some comfort,” said a Namibian
MONDAY 11 President Nana Akufo- church leader to Barnabas Fund,
Addo of Christian-majority Ghana, explaining how they were seeking to
responding to the coronavirus, called show, in word and deed, God’s love and
his country to “seek the face of the presence in the midst of the lockdown
Almighty … [and] pray to God to suffering. Pray that the ordeal of the
protect our nation and save us from coronavirus may strengthen the faith
this pandemic”. A National Day of of many in Namibia, where 90% of the
Fasting and Prayer was held on 25 population identify as Christian.
March, which included prayer for
“forgiveness of sins on behalf of the THURSDAY 14 Gurgen (81) and Lida
nation and the world at large”. Pray are survivors of the 1988 pogrom
that other nations will also turn to against Armenian Christians that took
God in humility and repentance in place in Sumgait in Muslim-majorityAzerbaijan. They fled to Armenia services and family visits. But most of
where they now live in great poverty on their church members work in brick
Gurgen’s pension of $124 a month. With kilns and factories, which have been
the coming of coronavirus, they are in closed to stop the spread of coronavirus.
even greater need of help than before. The pastor and his congregation are
By God’s grace, Barnabas is currently without income and cannot even meet
providing for the practical needs of together to encourage one other. This
Gurgen, Lida and many other elderly situation is replicated all over Pakistan
Christians in Armenia; ask the Lord to and is similar in many other countries
comfort their anxious hearts and fill where pastors are supported only by the
them with His perfect peace. giving of their congregation. Barnabas
Fund is sending help as we are able, but
the need is overwhelming. Ask the Lord
who owns the cattle on a thousand hills
to provide for His faithful servants at
this time. (Psalm 50:10)
SUNDAY 17 Lord Jesus, as many
Christians around the world are
prevented from meeting together to
May/June 2020 5
worship You because of coronavirus,
Gurgen and Lida we remember Christians for whom this
isolation is their normal situation - those
FRIDAY 15 Iran was one of the countries who have never been able to worship
worst affected by coronavirus in You with others because of persecution.
the early days of the pandemic. One We think especially of secret believers
of the government’s responses was in Saudi Arabia, converts from Islam and
to temporarily release more than thus potentially liable to execution by
80,000 prisoners from its crowded the Saudi authorities. We know that You
jails, where the virus was expected to are the bread of life; whoever comes to
spread rapidly. Praise God that several You will never go hungry, and whoever
Christians were amongst those released, believes in You will never be thirsty.
including Fatemeh Bakhteri and at Please satisfy the spiritual longings of
least three others who were given a few our Saudi brothers and sisters, enabling
weeks of “leave” from prison. But at them to grow up strong in their faith.
least ten Christians were excluded from (John 6:35)
the temporary releases. Pray that that
all those imprisoned for their faith in MONDAY 18 Myanamar military fighter
Christ may be permanently released. jets opened fire on four villages in the
western part of Chin State in mid-
SATURDAY 16 Pastor Nazir Nasir and March, killing 21 people, injuring more
his wife, who minister amongst poor and causing 2,000 people to flee their
Christians in Pakistan, depend for their homes. The Chin people are about 90%
livelihood totally on the offerings given Christian and Chin State is very poor.
by their church members at church Ask the Lord to comfort those whomourn and to change the hearts of the buildings must be supported by
Myanmar government so they will stop Muslims as well as Christians.
attacking their own non-Buddhist, non- This makes it almost impossible
Burman citizens. to replace the destroyed buildings
and some congregations in the
TUESDAY 19 Montagnard Christians in Aceh Singkil regency have therefore
Vietnam face numerous instances of been worshipping in tents for years,
local authorities trying to force them to sometimes having to move from one
deny Christ, sometimes by threatening location to another. Ask the Lord to
physical assault or banishment. A be their rock, their fortress and their
2019 report estimated that 10,000 deliverer in the midst of uncertainty,
Montagnards were stateless because danger and change.
local authorities refused to issue ID
cards, household registration or birth FRIDAY 22 The Islamic Defenders
certificates, often because the Christians Alliance (ABI) has been demanding
refused to renounce Christ. Pray that the demolition of a church building in
they will stand firm in the faith, even a shopping complex in Ampana Kota,
counting their trials “pure joy” because on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
the testing of their faith helps them to be The congregation removed the cross
mature believers. (James 1:2-4) and noticeboard from the outside, as
May/June 2020 6
they tried in vain to pacify the ABI.
WEDNESDAY 20 Vietnamese Christian They are seeking an alternative site
Y Ngun Khul, was released in March where they can build a replacement
after almost 16 years in prison. His church but, wherever they have
offence had been to call for religious tried, the local residents object to a
freedom for his Christian Montagnard church building being constructed.
community and to protest when Praise God that the local authorities
the authorities closed his church. are trying to mediate and maintain
His intestinal health has been badly good relationships. Pray that the
affected, he has trouble walking, and peacemakers, both Christian and in
he still bears scars from the beatings the local government, will be blessed
by the guards. During his absence, Y (Matthew 5:9) and that their efforts
Ngun’s family lost their home and land. will succeed.
Lift our faithful brother to the Lord
who heals (Exodus 15:26), praying for SATURDAY 23 Today is the last day of
full restoration of body, mind and spirit. Islamic month of Ramadan, when
Muslims fast between dawn and dusk,
THURSDAY 21 Aceh is the furthest abstaining even from water. Many do
west and the most Islamic province so not only to keep the rules of their
of Indonesia. The Church there is religion but also because they hope
growing, but under persecution. Many to draw near to Allah. Pray that those
church buildings have been destroyed who long for a loving relationship with
or demolished by Muslim mobs, and their Creator and the assurance of
Aceh law says that applications for sins forgiven may come to know Jesus
licences to construct new church Christ as their Lord and Saviour.SUNDAY 24 O Lord our God, we ask You groups, and human rights groups. A
to look in Your mercy on our brothers coalition government, established at
and sisters in Syria, struggling to the end of February, includes Ennahda
resume their lives after war and (Tunisia’s Islamist political party).
persecution and now afflicted with About a fifth of Tunisian Muslims
coronavirus too. May their faith burn dress in a conservative Islamic way,
brightly, may they be a source of peace, but many others are questioning Islam.
hope and stability in their troubled The Christian community is mainly
country. We ask for a lasting and just expatriates, especially from Africa, but
peace to be established in Syria and also includes some Tunisian converts
that the previously good relations from Islam and their children. Pray that
between all the different communities all will have opportunity and courage
in society may be restored. We pray in to meet with others and build up their
the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
MONDAY 25 Algerian courts ordered WEDNESDAY 27 The Tunisian Ministry
two more church buildings to be of Religion has a Muslim section,
sealed in January, under the Muslim- headed by an imam, and a Jewish
majority country’s controversial 2006 section, headed by a rabbi, but nothing
ordinance about church licensing. for Christians (even though they are
May/June 2020 7
Churches must have permits, but more numerous than Jews in Tunisia).
none have yet been granted, despite Historic churches with foreign links
repeated requests from Christian are in a relatively strong position
leaders; as a result the churches are legally. Local Tunisian churches are
operating illegally and can be closed not prevented from functioning but
down at any time. Christianity was have no legal status so cannot own
strong in Algeria in the early Christian property. Pray that the position of
centuries, but was wiped out by the Tunisian believers may be properly
advance of the Muslim armies until re- recognised and their freedom of
established by Western missionaries. religion affirmed in reality as well as in
Pray that believers will be allowed to the constitution.
meet and worship together freely.
THURSDAY 28 Licences were granted
TUESDAY 26 Compared to other to another 82 church and church-
countries in the region, Tunisia (98% affiliated buildings in Egypt on 11
Muslim) is relatively open, and even February by the committee that has
the Islamists are considered more been overseeing the process since
“reasonable” than those of other North 2017. This means that Christian
African countries. The 2014 post- activities are now legal. Pray that the
Arab Spring constitution guarantees 2,236 remaining applications will soon
freedom of religion, but at the same be approved also and that Egyptian
time sharia has a significant place society at large will accept the right of
within family law. Civil society is Christians to have sufficient places of
strong in Tunisia with trade unions, worship for their community of around
academics, media, journalists, lawyers’ ten million people.FRIDAY 29 Gunmen on motorbikes nephews were killed a few days later.
roared into the small town of Silgadji Pray for those who mourn that they
in northern Burkina Faso on 25 will be comforted by knowing their
January and threatened to kill anyone loved ones and their spiritual leaders
who would not convert to Islam. They died for Christ.
rounded up those in the market place,
separating the men from the women. SUNDAY 31 O God, we thank You for
They shot dead at least ten men and giving us Your Holy Spirit, who is not
told the women to leave Silgadji. The a spirit of fear but of power, and of
same town was the site of the Islamist love, and of a sound mind. We pray
terrorist attack in April 2019 that began that, through Your Spirit’s power and
a whole spate of anti-Christian violence guidance, all who suffer or are in danger
in Burkina Faso. Pray that the Lord will at this time will be bold and courageous,
be a refuge and a stronghold for His thinking clearly and wisely. We ask
people in Silgadji (Psalm 9:9), and that this for our persecuted brothers and
there will be no further attacks. sisters, especially those suffering also
from the coronavirus and the effects of
SATURDAY 30 Islamist militants lockdowns. We ask it for ourselves in
in Burkina Faso killed at least 29 whatever situation we are. We ask it in
Christians in a series of murderous the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
May/June 2020 8
attacks in February. Twenty-four Christ. (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)
people from a single congregation were
killed in one incident, some during the
attack, which took place in the middle June
of a Sunday service, while others were
abducted and killed later. In another MONDAY 1 Pakistani Christian Saleem
church attack, a deacon was shot dead Masih (22) died on 28 February,
and his car used to abduct the pastor three days after he was tortured on
and five of the pastor’s relatives. His the instructions of a Muslim farmer
daughters were released unharmed for having washed himself at the
but the pastor, his son and two farmer’s well. After unloading chaff
from a vehicle, Saleem rinsed himself
with water pumped from the well,
but the enraged farmer accused him
of polluting the water-supply by his
“unclean” Christian touch. He ordered
his men to tie Saleem’s hands and
feet, and then beat him with sticks
and heated iron rods, which caused
multiple fractures and internal injuries.
Ask the God of all comfort to abide
with Saleem’s family (2 Corinthians
1:3). Christian and Muslim religious
Pastor Tindano Omar (above) and three of leaders met after this incident to
his male relatives were martyred call for an end to such intolerance ofChristians and to condemn the police an axe in a dispute with some Muslim
for failing to intervene. Pray that their neighbours about the construction
words will be heeded. of a church building in a village near
Sahiwal, Punjab province. They had
TUESDAY 2 Aasia Bibi, the Pakistani rushed to the construction site when
Christian mother who spent nearly they heard that local Muslims were
eight years on death row after being demolishing the boundary wall. The
falsely accused of “blasphemy”, declared village of about 150 houses has around
in an interview that she had forgiven 40 Christian families but no building in
her tormentors. “I am not angry at which they can gather for worship. All
all, I’ve forgiven everyone from my three of the injured, who are related to
heart,” she said. “There is patience in each other, spent time in the intensive
me because I learned how to be patient care unit of a hospital in Sahiwal. Pray
after having to leave my children in particular for Azeem Masih (32) who
behind.” Thank the Lord for such a was shot in the head. When released
testimony of growth through suffering from hospital, he was paralysed from
for Him. Her arrest had followed a the right shoulder down and unable to
dispute with Muslim co-workers in speak. Ask the Lord Jesus to heal him.
June 2009 which began when she
drank water from a cup they also used, FRIDAY 5 The persecution of Christians
May/June 2020 9
thus making it “unclean” in their eyes. in Turkey has fluctuated up and down
Aasia said that while in prison she had in nearly a century since the secular
been offered her freedom if she would Republic of Turkey was established.
convert to Islam, but she refused. But under Islamist President Erdogan,
things have tended to get worse.
WEDNESDAY 3 A new law in Pakistan, Erdogan has made no secret of his
approved earlier this year, could make desire to re-establish the Ottoman
Christians even more vulnerable to Empire, under which Christians
false accusation of “blasphemy” which and other non-Muslims suffered
can lead to a death sentence. The law discrimination and had to live as
requires social media companies to minority communities called millets,
remove promptly any “unwanted and
slanderous” online content. No one
has yet been executed for blasphemy
in Pakistan, but two Muslims have
been awarded death sentences for
“blasphemy” on social media, and
Christians and other non-Muslims are
particularly at risk of this type of false
accusation. Pray that this law will not
be misused to stifle free speech or settle
personal grudges.
THURSDAY 4 Two Pakistani Christians
were shot and one was injured with A church service in Turkeyrather than as full citizens. Humanly MONDAY 8 Iran’s National Census
speaking, it looks as if Christians in Bureau has revised the application
Turkey (whether historic Christian form for a national ID card; now
ethnic groups, Turkish converts applicants must choose one of four
from Islam, or refugees from further named religions and there is no longer
east) will now face steadily growing an option to put “other religion”. The
persecution. Pray that they may rejoice four religions are Islam, Christianity,
and be glad, remembering that their Judaism and Zoroastrianism. This
reward is in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12). means that former Muslims who have
become Christians have to reveal their
SATURDAY 6 A small but much loved new faith, bringing with it the risk
church building on the Greek island of persecution as an apostate from
of Lesbos (Lesvos) was vandalized Islam. The new application forms also
yet again on 2 March causing great marginalize Hindu, Bahai and Yaresan
distress to local people. The situation (Ahl-i-Haq) people. An ID card is
at the time was tense on Lesbos, where compulsory for every citizen aged 15+
clashes were taking place almost daily and must be shown for many everyday
between police and asylum-seekers activities. Pray that converts who have
protesting about overcrowding in their hitherto been reluctant to declare their
camp. The asylum-seekers, mainly allegiance to Christ will find that when
May/June 2020 10
from Afghanistan and Syria, arrive they do it is a means to draw others to
by boat from nearby Turkey. Pray that know and love Him too.
they will not take out their frustration
on Christian targets. Thank the Lord TUESDAY 9 At the time of writing,
that some of the Muslim refugees Afghanistan is inching slowly towards
have come to know the Lord while in peace talks between the government
Lesbos. They have been persecuted; and the Taliban after nearly two
pray for their protection. decades of war. America is in the
process of withdrawing its troops over
SUNDAY 7 O Triune God, we pray today a 14-month period. Pray that peace
for isolated Christians who have no will truly come in Afghanistan, not
opportunity of fellowship, whether just between the warring Muslims of
they are secret believers converted different tribes and different theologies,
from another religion, converts whose but also that Afghan Christians may be
families will not let them meet with accepted and free to worship the Lord
other Christians, those punished by Jesus Christ without fear. At present,
the authorities by a ban on meeting both sides in the peace talks would
others, or those in lockdown because want to execute Afghan Christians as
of coronavirus. We ask that your apostates from Islam.
presence will be very real to them,
and that the grace of the Lord Jesus WEDNESDAY 10 Several Christian
Christ, the love of God the Father and villages in Cameroon’s Far North have
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will be come under the control of Boko Haram
with them all to encourage, comfort, Islamist militants, after a series of
console, teach and guide. violent night-time attacks in January.“Everyone is confused, we don’t know Women’s Fellowship meeting, and some
what to do and we don’t understand of the women were kidnapped by the
what is happening. We are asking: militants, who also burnt down several
is it because 98% of the villages are houses and other property, and killed
Christian? Pray for us Christians “many people” said reports. Within
in this area,” came one message to days, four of the church elders met
Barnabas Fund. A local pastor also for worship in the burnt-out remains
pleaded for prayer: “We don’t know of their building. Praise God for their
what to do. Pray for those who lost determined and persevering witness.
their beloved. Pray also for little
children left without even clothes.”
THURSDAY 11 Nineteen Christians
died when Fulani militants attacked
the village of Kwatas, in Plateau State,
Nigeria, on 26 January. Villagers were
taking part in a social gathering when
the militants struck at around 7 p.m. in
a relentless assault that continued into
the early hours of the following day.
May/June 2020 11
This followed several attacks on other Four Nigerian church elders meet for worship in
villages in the area. Pray that the Lord the burnt out remains of their church
will deliver His people, and the day will
soon come when “they will live in safety, SUNDAY 14 We pray, O Lord Jesus,
and no one will make them afraid.” for Christians in Tajkistan, facing
(Ezekiel 34:28) increasingly restrictive laws. We ask
that the authorities will relent from
FRIDAY 12 Five million people took their harassment of Your followers,
part in peaceful demonstrations in and we pray especially for Christian
28 of Nigeria’s 36 states on Sunday children, who have been banned by law
2 February. Organised by the for the last nine years from attending
Christian Association of Nigeria, the any public religious activities, or even
demonstrations, which followed three being on church premises. We rejoice
days of fasting, called on President that no earthly law can stop Your Holy
Buhari to act to end the attacks on Spirit from moving where He pleases
Christians. Add your prayers to those and ask that He will help these growing
of Nigerian Christians that their youngsters to grow in their faith too.
government and armed forces will
exert themselves to ensure peace and MONDAY 15 Turkmenistan is a very
protection for all Nigerian citizens. closed country. Its citizens have little
access to the internet, their movements
SATURDAY 13 On 21 February Boko are controlled by the authorities, their
Haram militants set fire to a church spending monitored and they must not
building at Garkida, Adamawa State, be out after 11 pm. It is thought most
Nigeria. The attack took place during a Turkmens would leave the country ifthey could. For Christians the pressures illegally in their homes for which they
could be arrested and imprisoned. Praise
are even greater. For example there
the Lord that hundreds of our brothers
are just five registered churches in and sisters have been rescued from the
the whole country, which are the only hands of their enemies and are now free
places where it is legal for Christians to to serve Him without fear (Luke 1:74).
meet. Christians are not only isolated
from believers outside the country but WEDNESDAY 17 “James” grew up in a
the various Christian groups inside Muslim family where drunkenness and
Turkmenistan have little contact with quarrelling were the norm, yet he yearned
each other. However, despite serious for something better. His sister told him
persecution, the Turkmen Christians about some people who did not drink,
smoke, lie or swear. James doubted such
(converts from Islam) are energetic,
people could exist but, when his sister
full of joy and have a great thirst for took him to church, he found it was true
the Word of God. Pray that they will be and gave his life to Christ. Persecution
a blessing to the society in which God began when his mother fell sick and
has placed them, by their prayers, their died, because James had nursed her
witness and their Christ-like lives. and she had become a Christian. Her
relatives threatened to kill James. Matters
TUESDAY 16 It seemed like a miracle to escalated, and James and his wife were
a congregation in Uzbekistan when the summoned by the police, only to find
May/June 2020 12
authorities gave them permission to the mayor, imam and a lot of journalists
construct an officially registered church waiting for them, threatening to show
building. Such a thing had not occurred the couple on TV as traitors to Islam.
for any congregation in the country for the His wife’s relatives forced her to divorce
last 20 years, let alone a church of Muslim James. All this happened in the strictest
converts like their own. Astonishingly, the part of Uzbekistan, where James got
head of the local city administration even dismissed from jobs because of his faith.
visited the church to show his support He moved to another area but one day
for the project. The new building, partly the police raided a worship meeting at his
financed by Barnabas, together with house and he was jailed. Praise God that
the older smaller building they already James never denied Christ, that his wife
had, now enables twelve unregistered is now back with him, and they support
congregations to worship legally in themselves with a small business set up
registered church premises, rather than with help from Barnabas.
THURSDAY 18 Three Sri Lankan
Christians had to be hospitalised
after they were ambushed and
attacked by a mob of about 50
people, led by three Buddhist monks.
The three were part of a group of
Christians driving away from a
village where Buddhist extremists
had threatened the worship meeting
Nearly finished: the new church already enables at a house church that morning. The
hundreds of Uzbek Christians to worship Buddhists claimed it was a Buddhist
without fear of arrest village and no Christian worship wasallowed. The cars of the Christians on them and their loved ones if the
were forced to stop because felled authorities discover that they follow
trees lay across the road. Pray that Sri Your Son. Give them grace day by day,
Lankan Buddhists will accept, even hour by hour, especially those who
welcome, the presence of Christianity
are right now in harsh labour camps,
in their land.
starved and tortured. We pray also for
FRIDAY 19 Eight Indian Christians have those who persecute them, that You
been acquitted of charges of forced will soften their hearts, cause them to
conversion and abduction of 60 children. question what motivates the endurance
The six men and two women had been of those they are so cruelly ill-treating,
arrested in May 2017 while accompanying and let them hear Your voice calling
the children, who were mostly under the them. We ask in the Name of Jesus.
age of 14, by train to a Bible camp near
Nagpur. The children were the children MONDAY 22 Mauritania is strongly
of Christian parents, but the charge of Islamic. Conversion from Islam is illegal
forced conversion to Christianity arose (punishable by death) and evangelism
because their parents had not completed is also illegal. Nevertheless, there are
the necessary paperwork when they Mauritanian converts from Islam,
themselves had converted to Christianity who meet discreetly in homes and are
and therefore their children were still gradually growing in numbers and
officially Hindus. Praise God that justice in confidence. Society in general is
May/June 2020 13
was done in the end. beginning to resist the Islamic discourse
that dominates media and politics.
SATURDAY 20 India’s BJP (Hindu Recently there was a major controversy
nationalist) government is in the final over apostasy laws, with people arrested
stages of creating a database that will for being politically challenging and for
track every aspect of the life of every atheism. Some protesters demonstrated
Indian citizen. It will record religion, in front of the main court chanting that
caste, income, property, education, they were ready to die under Article 306
marital status, family tree, house-moves, (which mandate the death penalty for
job-changes etc. for 1.2 billion people. leaving Islam) in order to claim religious
“We are dangerously close to an Orwellian freedom. Christians were not much
state and China-like clampdown. involved in this although some were
Muslims are suffering but major damage arrested in February. Christians ask
will be to the freedom and rights of prayer for the release of jailed believers
Christians and Dalits more than anyone from prison and that the Islamic
else,” commented an Indian pastor who is Republic of Mauritania should become
also an expert on cybersecurity. Pray that the Democratic Republic of Mauritania
Indian Christians may “live such good with equality and justice for all.
lives” that those monitoring them to try
to find fault may see their good deeds and TUESDAY 23 Jihadists have occupied the
glorify God. (1 Peter 2:12) northern part of Mali since 2013, and
are popular with local people, who find
SUNDAY 21 We praise you, heavenly them more honest than the government
Father, for the courage and and better able to provide law and order
steadfastness of Christians in North (through sharia courts which impose
Korea, standing firm in the faith despite punishments such as lashings and
the severe punishment it can bring amputations). They also provide Quranicschools, which are welcomed in an they killed him. Thank the Lord for His
area where there is very little education faithful child, who refused to deny Christ.
available. Christians are about 2% of this Around the same time at least 30 other
mainly Muslim country. Pray that they people in four villages were killed in
will not be fearful or dismayed, knowing night-time attacks by the ADF. Another
the God’s presence with them and His eleven Christians were killed on 18
strength to help them. (Isaiah 41:10) February. Pray for the protection of all in
north-east DRC, especially Christians and
WEDNESDAY 24 In Nigeria’s Kaduna in particular pastors, who seem to be a
State, Christians are being marginalized special target of the ADF.
by forcible changes to the traditional
chiefdom system. The state government FRIDAY 26 A militant Islamist
has been re-naming some of the organisation called Ahlu Sunnah Wa-
chiefdoms in predominantly Christian Jama and known locally as Al-Shabaab
southern Kaduna as emirates, an Islamic (not the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab) has
term. The Adara are a large tribe, about effectively gained control of a very poor
two-thirds Christian. In 2017 the title area of Cabo Delgado, the northernmost
Agom Adara (Chief of the Adara people) province of Mozambique. They burn
was changed to Agom Kachia (Chief of villages and behead, maim or kidnap the
Kachia town) thus reducing his domain inhabitants. Al-Shabaab started operating
from the whole tribe to just one town. in Cabo Delgado in 2015, at the same time
Christian protests were ignored and there as radical Muslims from the Gulf, Kenya
May/June 2020 14
were violent clashes between the Adara and Tanzania established a presence there
and the mainly Muslim Hausa-Fulani. and began marrying local people and
Then in October 2018 the Agom was teaching violent and extremist ideology.
kidnapped on his way home from a Full In 2017 Al-Shabaab carried out their first
Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship, and attack (on a police station) in October
a few days later killed. After a violent 2017, and to date have launched around
incident in February 2019, reportedly 370 attacks, killing at least 909 people.
started by the Fulanis, when many from In the areas controlled by Al-Shabaab,
both sides were killed, nine Adara tribal sharia is imposed and people who try to
elders were arrested and imprisoned for escape are killed. Locals are encouraged
over three months, but no Fulanis were to join their jihad and train for military
arrested. Pray for justice and protection operations; fighting for Al-Shabaab is one
for the Adara people. At least 166 were of the few ways of earning an income in
killed in eight attacks in 2019, and the Cabo Delgado. Another is to get involved
pattern has continued into 2020. in Al-Shabaab’s smuggling of timber,
coal, rubies, ivory and heroin. Pray that
THURSDAY 25 Ngulongo Year Batsemire Mozambican Muslims will resist the
(aged 60), a church leader in the violent extremist teaching, and that God
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), will protect the Christian minority.
was walking with his wife to his fields
when they were surrounded by members SATURDAY 27 Another jihadi militant
of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), group, who have been active in
an Islamist militant group that repeatedly Mozambique since June 2019, is called
targets Christians. They demanded that Islamic State Central African Province
Ngulongo tell them where they could (ISCAP). They are believed to be the forces
find other pastors and then tried to force who captured the port city of Mocimboa da
him to convert to Islam. He refused and Praia in a pre-dawn raid by land and seaon 23 March. This city, in Cabo Delgado MONDAY 29 Continue to pray for Eritrean
province, is large, strategic and symbolic. Christians who suffer great persecution
Many of the local people welcomed the by their government. Many are arrested,
insurgents, who were handing out money after which beatings and torture follow.
they had looted from bank vaults. ISCAP Some have spent months in solitary
fighters were reported to have ordered confinement in complete darkness, taken
Muslim residents to go to the mosque, out only for interrogation to try to force
while they themselves roamed the streets them to recant their faith. They can
hunting for Christians. Pray that our spend years in jail without trial. Praise
brothers and sisters will find refuge under God for their faithfulness and pray that
the wings of the Lord, who will be their they will be given the patient endurance
shield and rampart. (Psalm 91:4) they need (Revelation 13:10).
SUNDAY 28 Lord Jesus Christ, we lift to TUESDAY 30 Pray for Christian women in
you the Christians of Somalia, rejoicing places of pressure and persecution, where
that You know each one by name. You they are doubly despised - for being
know the dangers they face, the abuse, female and for being Christians. Ask that
our loving Lord will be specially close to
rejection and contempt, the real threat to Christian girls and young women in Egypt
their lives. Thank you for their courage in and Pakistan who have been abducted
obeying Your call, in the full knowledge by Muslims and forced or tricked into
that they might have to lay down their lives converting to Islam (a legal formality, not
May/June 2020 15
for You. Please protect and keep them. a heart belief) and marrying a Muslim.
Although we may never meet our Somali Pray that they may know His presence
brothers and sisters in this life, help us to with them to comfort and sustain them
learn from their example to gladly take up and, if it is His will, be enabled to escape
our cross and follow You. and return to their own Christian families.
Pakistani Christian women at prayerInternational Headquarters Northern Ireland and
The Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, Republic of Ireland
Wiltshire SN9 5DB, UK Office 113, Russell Business Centre,
Telephone 01672 564938 40-42 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6AA
Fax 01672 565030 Please send post to our UK office
From outside UK: address.
Telephone +44 1672 564938 Telephone 07875 539003
Fax +44 1672 565030 Email ireland@barnabasfund.org
Email info@barnabasfund.org
Singapore
Barnabas Fund Australia is a
charitable institution but gifts are not Cheques in Singapore dollars payable
tax deductible ABN 70 005 572 485 to “Olive Aid Trust” may be sent to:
Olives Aid Sdn Bhd, P.O. Box 03124,
For a list of all trustees, please contact Subang Jaya, 47507 Selangor,
Barnabas Fund UK at the Coventry address.
MALAYSIA
Singaporean supporters may send
Australia gifts for Barnabas Fund online via
PO Box 3527, Loganholme, QLD 4129 Olive Aid Trust:
Telephone (07) 3806 1076 or Beneficiary: OLIVE AID TRUST
1300 365 799 Bank Name: United Overseas Bank
Email bfaustralia@barnabasfund.org (Malaysia) Berhad
Swift Code: UOVBMYKL
Germany Location: KUALA LUMPUR
German supporters may send gifts Account Number: 140-901-654-0
for Barnabas Fund via Hilfe für
Brüder who will provide you with South Africa
a tax-deductible receipt. Please Office 301, 3rd Floor, Eikestad Mall,
mention that the donation is for “SPC 43 Andringa Street,
20 Barnabas Fund”. If you would Stellenbosch 7599
like your donation to go to a specific Telephone +27 21 808 1668
project of Barnabas Fund, please Email bfsa@barnabasfund.org
inform the Barnabas Fund office in
Pewsey, UK. USA
Account holder: Hilfe für Brüder 80 Abbeyville Road, Lancaster
International e.V. PA 17603
Account number: 415 600 Telephone (703) 288-1681 or
Bank: Evang Kreditgenossenschaft toll-free 1-866-936-2525
Stuttgart Email usa@barnabasaid.org
IBAN: DE89520604100000415600
BIC: GENODEF1EK1
UK
9 Priory Row, Coventry CV1 5EX
New Zealand Telephone 024 7623 1923
PO Box 276018, Manukau City, Fax 024 7683 4718
Auckland 2241 From outside the UK:
Telephone (09) 280 4385 Telephone +44 24 7623 1923
or 0800 008 805 Fax +44 24 7683 4718
Email office@barnabasfund.org.nz Email info@barnabasfund.org
Published by Barnabas Aid
1934 Old Gallows Road Suite 350, Vienna, VA 22182, USA
barnabasfund.org/au
© Barnabas Aid 2020
Front Cover: Christians from north-east IndiaYou can also read
