JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2019 - To help you pray for the persecuted Church barnabasfund.org - Barnabas Fund
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Church
JANUARY/
persecuted
pray for the
To help you
barnabasprayer
BARNABAS FUND - AID AGENCY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
barnabasfund.org
FEBRUARY 2019
BRINGING HOPE TO SUFFERING CHRISTIANS
Thank you for your prayers for our buildings. In the first attack, whose
persecuted brothers and sisters in victims included a family of seven, the
Christ, which make such a difference to gunmen, dressed in black, shouted
them. We sometimes have to change or “Allahu Akbar” as they opened fire.
omit their names for security reasons, Pray that the Lord will bring an end to
and we have only limited space to share the constant violence against Nigerian
their stories. But the Lord knows the Christians “so that mere earthly
people and places we are praying about. mortals will never again strike terror”
Please do not feel limited by the specific (Psalm 10:18).
prayer requests, but pray as you feel led.
On each Sunday we have provided a set THURSDAY 3 On 11 October a church
prayer; please feel free to use these in building in Niamey, the capital of
their current form, to adapt them as you Niger, was ransacked, looted and set
prefer, or to use the information they on fire, leaving it a charred shell. A
contain to frame your own prayers. church leader from Niger wrote to
Barnabas Fund asking for prayer that
the Lord will support the congregation
January (led by Pastor Eduard) and safeguard
the churches of Niger. Christians
January/February 2019 2
TUESDAY 1 At the start of a new in Niger are less than 1% of the
year, pray to the Lord Jesus, who is population, which is mainly Muslim.
the Alpha and the Omega, the first
and the last, the beginning and the
end, that He will have mercy on our
troubled world, wracked by wars,
hunger, injustice and natural disasters.
Pray especially for Christians living
under pressure and persecution, that
they may look to the new year with
hope and joy despite their suffering.
Remember also Christians in Western
countries where the secular humanist
agenda is making rapid strides and
Christians seeking to live a godly
life in Christ are increasingly facing
discrimination and harassment; ask
that they will watch, pray and act with
wisdom and courage in the coming Viewing the damage at the church attacked
year (Revelation 22:13). in Niamey, Niger
WEDNESDAY 2 Fulani herdsmen FRIDAY 4 The Allied Democratic
targeted two Christian communities Forces is a violent Islamist group that
in Nigeria’s Plateau State on 3 and 4 has been operating in the north-east
October 2018, killing at least 23 people of the Democratic Republic of the
and setting fire to houses and church Congo for more than two decades and
repeatedly attacks Christians. In one recent years. Please equip Nepali
attack, on 24 September, 14 civilians Christians with wisdom and boldness,
were killed and many families fled. as You did Peter and John, to follow
The place attacked was in the middle Your commands to be Your witnesses,
of an outbreak of Ebola, and, because to speak of what they have seen and
the violence scattered people far and heard of Your grace, power and love
wide, all efforts to trace and vaccinate in their lives. May they listen to Your
those who had been in contact with voice and obey Your commands, even
known carriers of the disease had to though the new law which came into
be halted. Cry to our Father in heaven force in Nepal in September means
to deliver our Congolese brothers and that any public Christian activity is
sisters from evil. potentially illegal. We ask this in Your
Name, Lord Jesus. (Acts 4:13, 18-20)
SATURDAY 5 In October 2018 the
Israeli government announced MONDAY 7 A Christian police officer
that they were revoking the group in Nepal, Dilip , was arrested on 3
protection for asylum-seekers from October for giving his testimony at a
the Democratic Republic of the Congo. church conference. He was accused
The Congolese, numbering just over of propagating Christianity with the
January/February 2019 3
200, were given until today to leave intention of converting people. Under
Israel. At the same time Israeli Prime Nepal’s new law (see above), it is
Minister Netanyahu announced that illegal to attempt to convert a Hindu
the peace treaty between Eritrea and or Buddhist although the law is very
Ethiopia (July 2018) meant that Israel vague about what such an “attempt”
could accelerate its programme to might involve. Pray that our brother
expel almost 30,000 Eritrean asylum- Dilip will not suffer punishment and
seekers – whom he calls “infiltrators”. that other Christians in Nepal will not
Both the Congolese and the Eritreans be made fearful by his arrest.
are mostly Christians, and will be
in grave danger if sent home. The TUESDAY 8 Prayers have been
Eritreans did not flee their country wonderfully answered for Pakistani
because of war with Ethiopia but Christian mother Aasia Bibi, who had
because of persecution by their own been on death row since November
government, which remains in place. 2010 after being convicted under the
Pray that the Israeli government will country’s notorious “blasphemy” law.
be merciful to African Christians On 31 October, the Supreme Court
seeking safety and freedom. Thank announced their decision to acquit her.
the Lord for the loving welcome and The hearing itself had taken place on
practical care which many ordinary 8 October 2018, and on that day Aasia
Israelis have given them. had had a dream in which she saw all
the doors of the prison opened. In her
SUNDAY 6 Our Lord and Saviour, dream she worried that the prison
we remember today Your followers superintendent would be furious if
in Nepal and praise You for the she saw the open doors. The dream
tremendous Church growth there in made Aasia certain that, despite so
many past disappointments, this time FRIDAY 11 Muslims in Pakistan typically
her appeal would succeed. Praise our hold Muhammad in such esteem
gracious, loving, Almighty God! that it amounts to veneration, almost
worship. That is why they react with
WEDNESDAY 9 Aasia Bibi’s Muslim great ferocity to any hint of disrespect
lawyer, Saif Ul Malook, was amazed to him and many believe it is right to
at how resilient his client remained kill anyone accused of such disrespect,
during the long years in prison. “I which they call “blasphemy”. The
have not seen such a strong woman in political party Tehreek-e-Labaik
my life,” he said. When he visited her Pakistan (Here-I-Am Movement
on 10 October she told him about her Pakistan) is particularly focused on
dream (see above). “I have such a full blasphemy, and called out large crowds
faith in God,” she said to him, “that I of Muslims on to the streets to protest
have a strong feeling that nobody can against Aasia Bibi’s acquittal. The word
hurt me.” Aware that he was at great “Labaik” carries the meaning “I am
risk of being assassinated because he ready to obey your orders, O Allah”,
was representing her in court, she told showing their religious devotion as
him not to worry, because Christ was Muslims. Pray that the Lord Jesus will
watching over him so no harm would reveal Himself to them, so that their
January/February 2019 4
come to him either. Ask the Lord to love, energy and zeal can be channelled
protect this brave man, now living to serving Him.
in another country, and that he will
recognise the Lord Jesus at work in his SATURDAY 12 At the time of writing
life. Pray also for the three judges who Sri Lanka is in crisis. The president
acquitted Aasia Bibi; they will be in has appointed a new Prime Minister
danger from zealous Muslims for the called Mahinda Rajapaksa but the
rest of their lives. old prime minister is refusing to step
down. Rajapaksa, a former president
THURSDAY 10 Pray that Aasia Bibi and of Sri Lanka, remains a controversial
her family may be able to settle down figure in a country where the scars
in a safe, new location and re-start from the long civil war (1983-2009)
their lives . Pray that there will be have yet to heal and Sinhalese-
no backlash of violence against the Buddhist nationalism has been a
Christian community in Pakistan major driver of conflicts and current
because of her acquittal. Lift up to the tensions. During his regime, state-
Lord also the many people (Christians sponsored restrictions and attacks on
and others) who are still in prison churches and mosques raised concerns
in Pakistan for false accusations of for religious freedom. A UN report
“blasphemy” just as Aasia Bibi was, found credible allegations of war
some of them sentenced to death. crimes committed by the Rajapaksa
Pray that they will be acquitted and government during the final stages of
released. Pray also that Pakistan’s the fighting, when tens of thousands
“blasphemy” law will be amended so of civilians were killed. Join Sri
that it can no longer be misused to Lankan Christians in praying for all in
settle personal grudges. authority in Sri Lanka that its people,
whatever their religion or ethnic group, minority in Sulawesi may be a blessing
may be able to live quiet and peaceable to the whole community, as the long
lives (1 Timothy 2:1-2). slow process of recovery continues.
Ask that our brothers and sisters will
SUNDAY 13 O Lord, You hear the desire rejoice in the Lord, keep themselves
of the afflicted, You encourage them, from worrying as they make their
and You listen to their cry. We pray requests to God and thank Him, and
today for Christians in Bangladesh know the peace of God which passes
– poor, vulnerable and despised but all understanding, even in the midst
faithful to You. May they know Your of bereavement and destruction
provision for their needs and Your (Philippians 4:4-7).
protection from those who seek to
harm them. May they experience Your TUESDAY 15 On 27 September the
presence and Your power in their lives. city administration in Jambi, on the
As they boldly share the Gospel, please Indonesian island of Sumatra, shut
add to their number those who are down three churches, claiming they
being saved, and enable them to grow did not have a permit to meet. Some
in knowledge and love of Jesus Christ, church members burst into tears when
in whose Name we pray. (Psalm 10:17) they saw what had happened. Church
January/February 2019 5
leaders were told they must either
MONDAY 14 Pray for all those who relocate to several kilometres away
suffered in the terrible earthquake or merge the three congregations (all
and tsunami which struck Sulawesi, different denominations) into one.
Indonesia on 28 September 2018. After An official stated that 70 churches
these disasters, the soil in many places in Jambi are without permits. Pray
liquefied and buildings sank into that the authorities will back down
the ground. Pray that the Christian and allow the Christians to continue
meeting in the city.
WEDNESDAY 16 In October the
Polish government vetoed the
adoption of an annual report on the
application of the European Union’s
“Charter of Fundamental Rights”.
Poland’s objection was because the
report did not mention the need to
protect Christians and Jews from
discrimination although it did mention
the need to protect immigrants, women
and LGBT people. As Christians in
Wilson, a Bible School student in Palu, Europe become, like Jews, a minority
Sulawesi, stands in front of the remains of who are all too often despised, pray
his home, in which his father died. Barnabas that the Polish government’s action
Fund is providing a new house for Wilson and may help to halt the decline in religious
for many other Indonesian Christians liberty in Europe.
THURSDAY 17 Yet another Christian Christian citizens as much security as
doctor has been murdered in Egypt. Muslims have.
Dr Episkharoun, a 65-year-old
urologist, was stabbed to death in his SUNDAY 20 Lord Jesus, we ask Your
clinic in Assiut. The police say that blessing on Your persecuted followers
his murderer, Mr Muhammad (aged in many countries – those whom the
24), had a mental illness, but many world hates. May they draw comfort
Egyptian Christians have expressed from the knowledge that You also were
their doubts about this on social media. hated by the world without reason. May
In other similar cases, there has been they find strength in remembering that
a clear Islamist motive behind the You also were persecuted and that their
murders. Pray the Lord Almighty will suffering is for the sake of Your Name.
protect His people in Egypt. May their lives shine with Your love,
joy and peace, drawing others to You,
FRIDAY 18 Two buses of Egyptian even their persecutors. Help us to learn
Christians returning from a visit from their patient endurance, their
to a holy site were ambushed on 2 forgiveness and faith, that their lives
November. Seven Christians died and and ours will bring glory to You.
19 were injured. Later Islamic State (John 15:18-21)
January/February 2019 6
in Egypt claimed responsibility for
the attack. Ask that the Holy Spirit, MONDAY 21 A 40-year-old Muslim
the Comforter, will bring peace and woman in Algeria is taking her
consolation to the bereaved. Six of Christian husband (50) to court,
the seven people killed were from the accusing him of trying to convert her
same extended family. Pray that their to Christianity. Also accused of the
loved ones will be strengthened by the same “crime” are three members of
knowledge that those who died were another family, all Christians, who
martyrs for Christ. had tried to mediate between the
couple. At the time of writing, the
SATURDAY 19 The attack on 2 case had not yet been heard. “Inciting
November in the desert of Egypt’s a Muslim to change his religion” is a
Minya province (see above) came six crime under Ordinance 6-3 of 2006.
months after a similar terrorist attack The punishment is two to five years
in much the same place in which 28 in prison and fine of up to a million
Christians died. “This violence is a dinars (approx. £6,500; US$8,500;
tax we pay just for being Christians,” €7,500). Pray for the four Christians
said Kamel Hanna, a Christian accused, that the charge against them
building contractor, as he lamented will be dropped.
the way the authorities seem unable
to prevent Christians being killed. TUESDAY 22 Authorities in the Algerian
Kamel’s niece and nephew were village of Azaghar, south-east of
among those injured in the November Algiers, sealed a church building on
attack. Pray that the Egyptian 16 October after falsely claiming that
authorities, at all levels and across the it failed to comply with health and
country, will exert themselves to give safety regulations. The 300-strong
congregation had responded to an and children are regular in church
earlier request to install fire exits and attendance. Pray for all who minister
fire extinguishers. The church has a to them, whether pastors or those who
powerful ministry to local Muslims. lead choirs, women’s groups, youth
Pray that the authorities will cease groups and children’s work. Ask that
their harassment and hindrance of they will be channels of God’s healing,
these believers as they seek to obey hope and peace for those who have
Christ’s command to be His witnesses. endured so much.
WEDNESDAY 23 Thank God for the FRIDAY 25 A year after the liberation
second acquittal of a 29-year-old of Mosul, Iraq, from Islamic State
Algerian Christian from Tizi Ouzou (IS), only about 20 Christian families
who has been charged with “illegal were living in the city. Up to 200,000
importation of Christian materials”. In Christians had fled from Mosul and
2016 he had visited a Middle Eastern its surrounding villages when IS
country and brought home with him to seized the territory in 2014. One was
Algeria some items, like keyrings and Maryam, then aged 17. Like most of
scarfs, with Christian inscriptions on Mosul’s Christians, her family does
them. He was tried and acquitted once, not dare to go home to Mosul because
January/February 2019 7
but in September 2018 the prosecutor of the changed attitudes of so many of
decided to appeal against the acquittal. their Muslim former neighbours, who
The young man appeared in the have become hostile to Christians.
Appeal Court in Algiers on 18 October Maryam thinks that with time the
and was again acquitted of all charges. Muslims of Mosul might forget the
extremism they learned under IS
THURSDAY 24 The trauma and rule. “It’s four years that they are
hardships endured by Christians under them [IS], so of course they
in Syria during the recent war have will need time to be more open-
made them hungry for spiritual food. minded.” Remembering how the
Not only adults, but also teenagers people of Mosul (called Nineveh in
ancient times) repented so quickly and
wholeheartedly long ago (Jonah 3:6-9),
pray that Mosul’s Muslims will soon be
ready to welcome back their Christian
neighbours as friends and equals.
SATURDAY 26 Saudi children are
taught an extremely negative view of
Christians. School textbooks for the
last academic year contained material
that depicted Christians as liars and
encouraged intolerance and violence
including the killing of apostates from
Islam. It is therefore not surprising
Syrian Christians that Saudi society in general despises
Christians. The law bans them from TUESDAY 29 R, his brother and two
any public expression of their faith, sisters were arrested in Iran, and put
and even gathering in private for under intense psychological pressure
Christian worship sometimes leads to try to make them renounce Christ.
to arrest. Pray for Christians in this After hearing threats of what would
land, most of them migrant workers be done to his sisters if he continued
enduring terrible conditions of as a Christian, R decided to return
employment. Pray also for the few to Islam. He was brought before the
Saudi believers, converts from Islam, interrogator and opened his mouth
who could be executed for apostasy, to recant, but found the words that
that they will be protected and came out were saying just the opposite,
enabled to grow in knowledge and affirming his faith in Jesus! Eventually
love of the Lord Jesus. a wealthy Muslim neighbour paid
their bail money, saying they were
SUNDAY 27 O Jesus, we pray today for “good people”. All are now in another
Christians who cannot meet together country, where their elderly parents
to worship You, their beloved Lord came to visit them before returning
and Saviour. We think of those whose to continue their pastoral ministry
hostile, unbelieving families will not let in Iran, where persecution is likely to
January/February 2019 8
them go to church; of those who live await them. Pray for God’s protection
so far from any other Christian that of the parents and their ministry to
there is no one to come together with other converts in Iran. Pray that He
in Your Name; of those who are secret will continue to use their children
believers, their faith known only to to build His Church wherever He
You. Please speak to each one, by Your may take them. Praise Him for the
Holy Spirit, encourage, teach, guide generosity of their Muslim neighbour.
and strengthen them. Bless them with
the knowledge of Your presence as WEDNESDAY 30 Sudanese officials
they abide in You. raided a house church in Nyala, South
Darfur, on 13 October, arresting all
MONDAY 28 “Your house church is 13 Christians who were there. They
like a Christian factory. Every time a released two who were from Christian
Muslim walks in the door, a Christian backgrounds but detained the other
walks out.” These were the words of eleven who were converts from Islam.
an Iranian Revolutionary Guard to A Barnabas Fund contact reported,
“R”, the first in his family to convert “They tortured them, beating them a
from Islam to Christianity. Since whole day and night and telling them
he believed, about 70 of his family you face death because you changed
and friends have also decided to your religion.” The group’s pastor,
follow Christ. Praise the Lord for the Tajdeen Yousif, was held for several
persecuted yet rapidly growing Church more days after the other ten had been
in Iran and ask our heavenly Father to released. All eleven were ordered to
protect and provide for His children report daily to authorities, but went
there, especially as the US sanctions into hiding instead. Sudan is one of
bite deeper with passing time. the few countries in the world whereconverts from Islam can and have
been executed for apostasy in modern February
times. Pray that they will be kept safe
physically and will be strong in the FRIDAY 1 Barnabas supports 30
Lord spiritually. Kenyan missionaries who are planting
churches amongst unreached groups
in mostly Muslim areas of their
homeland, often facing hostility and
sometimes violence. Pray for their
safety and protection, especially those
in the north-east where Al-Shabaab
terrorists are active. Two missionary
families had to be urgently airlifted out
in early November because the threats
and activities of Al-Shabaab had
reached such a point that the security
forces were unable to be effective.
SATURDAY 2 A Kenyan missionary
January/February 2019 9
serving amongst Muslims in his
country was asked to help carry the
Pastor Tajdeen Yousif body of a woman from her house
to the burial place. On the way, the
THURSDAY 31 Al-Shabaab terrorists missionary felt God telling him the
flagged down a bus in a Muslim- woman was not really dead. Despite
majority area of Kenya on 14 insults and taunts from the Muslims,
September and ordered all on board the pastor took the hand of the woman
to show their identity cards. They and prayed, “Father, that Your glory
separated out three passengers who and power be shown to these people
were non-local (assumed to be non- through this action. Live!” at which
Muslim) and asked them to recite the the woman coughed. This made all
first chapter of the Quran and the the onlookers “start to enquire more
Islamic creed. The first chapter of the about this Jesus Christ in whose
Quran is familiar to all Muslims as name a woman was brought back to
part of their daily prayers. Saying the life before their very eyes,” reported
Islamic creed is seen by Muslims as the missionary. Pray that they may
conversion to Islam. Two of the three commit their lives to our risen Lord.
refused and were then tied up and
killed. One who died was a labourer SUNDAY 3 O Lord Jesus, who said “I will
from another part of Kenya and the build my Church and the gates of hell
other was a boy called Joshua who will not prevail against it,” we praise
assisted the bus driver. Pray for an You for the Church in China, which has
end to the violence of Al-Shabaab survived persecution by Buddhists,
terrorists against Christians in north- Taoists, Muslims, Confucianists,
east Kenya. Communists and more, over manycenturies. We rejoice in the wonderful recognition may encourage Japanese
growth in numbers of Christians in our believers and draw others to seek the
time, perhaps as many as 200 million, Lord Jesus Christ.
but only You know. We pray that You
will sustain and encourage each one, WEDNESDAY 6 All citizens of North
especially as pressure on them grows Korea live under constant scrutiny
under the government of President and surveillance. Groups of 15-30
Xi. May they know Your presence, families living close to each other
Your peace and Your power every day. (called inminban groups) are headed
(Matthew 16:18) by a female official who must look out
for suspicious activities and make sure
MONDAY 4 More than a thousand there are no forbidden items in the
Chinese police and other government homes e.g. tunable radio sets, Western
agents forced their way into an DVDs, Bibles. So there are random
unofficial church (“house church”) midnight searches of homes. Twice
in Henan province at 7.00 a.m. on a week people must attend lectures
14 September 2018 and seized items about the greatness of the Kim family,
from the building. Church members who have led the state in turn since
had locked the doors, but the officials 1946 and are venerated almost as if
January/February 2019 10
broke in. In the midst of a growing they were gods. Every Saturday people
crackdown on Christianity, pray that must attend public criticism sessions
Chinese believers will shine like stars, when they criticise themselves and
as they live pure and blameless lives in each other for their failings in the
a Communist society, and hold firmly previous week. Pray for the protection
to the word of life (Philippians 2:14-16). of Christians, trying to survive in this
Ask that they be seen as bringers of context, when their loyalty is to the
wholeness and harmony. Lord Jesus Christ, not to Kim Jong-un.
TUESDAY 5 Christians in Japan are THURSDAY 7 Evangelical Christians
only 1-2% of the population, although in Russia continue to be the main
four centuries ago they were around targets of the 2016 Religion Law, often
6%. Since 1947 there has been a called in Russia the “Yarovaya Law”
constitutional guarantee of religious after the person who first proposed
freedom and Christians now face it in the Duma. The law is ostensibly
little more than minor disapproval an anti-terrorist law but most of
from society and some issues about the cases are accusations of illegal
burial of their dead. But earlier there missionary activity. Some Christians
were times of great suffering with are also accused of extremist
perhaps as many as 40,000 martyrs. activities, of holding activities without
For over 200 years Christianity was the proper permissions, or of failing
completely “hidden” underground. to put up a sign displaying the full
Last year, twelve Christian sites in name of their organisation. The
Japan, all related to persecution, Christian community is asking for
were added to UNESCO’s list of amendments to the law, which is so
World Heritage sites. Pray that this vague that it is virtually impossibleto avoid being accused. Pray that they can get official registration to
their calls will be heeded and helpful make the building legal for use as a
changes will be made to the law. church. At the time of writing there
are three court cases in progress
FRIDAY 8 Out of the first 280 cases with congregations trying to prevent
filed against Christian believers demolition of their buildings. Please
under the 2016 Religion Law (see pray that the Christians may obtain
above), only about 10% were won justice and that no hindrances will
by the Christians. The other 90 lost prevent them gathering together for
their cases and were fined. Please teaching, prayer and fellowship.
pray for three Russian lawyers, who
have recently started working full- SUNDAY 10 O righteous God, who tests
time (with support from Barnabas minds and hearts, we pray for those
Fund) to give legal representation to who persecute Your people, who plan
Christians under pressure. Ask that and work to do them harm, to accuse
God will grant them favour with the them falsely, to attack them violently,
judges and success in the courts. to weaken their faith in whatever way
they can. We pray that the evil of the
SATURDAY 9 Russian believers request wicked will come to an end and that
January/February 2019 11
prayer about the issue of church the righteous will be made secure. We
buildings. Typically an evangelical ask that You will soften and change the
congregation will buy a house and hearts of those who persecute, and work
adapt/rebuild to create premises in their lives so that they may come to
suitable for worship and ministry know and love Your Son Jesus Christ, in
with some living accommodation. whose Name we pray. (Psalm 7:9)
Now these “prayer houses” are
threatened with demolition unless MONDAY 11 The last year has seen
growing pressure on Protestant
Christians in eastern Ukraine, also
known as the self-proclaimed Lugansk
People’s Republic (LPR). In October.
Barnabas Fund learned that all their
activities were to be banned, most
likely meaning that all their church
buildings would be forcibly closed.
Congregations hastily began to empty
their buildings of books and furniture.
Pray for wisdom and strength for the
church leaders, and for full religious
liberty to be maintained in the LPR.
This prayer house in Tula, Russia, is in danger TUESDAY 12 A congregation in Albania
of demolition unless the authorities will grant it that is more than 80% converts from
registration. The words on the outside say “Our Islam has many young people (aged
Father … hallowed be Your name” 13+) who are distressed by Muslimsattacking their faith in Jesus and and to those who gave the money.
the Bible, attacks which they do not Many testify to how being freed has
know how to answer. At school, they given their spiritual lives a great boost
encounter atheistic materialism as well as changing their physical
which is propagated by most of the situation. Pray that they will continue
teachers. Please pray for a discipleship growing and rejoicing in the Lord, and
programme, supported by Barnabas that more families can be freed.
Fund, which is aimed at helping
these young believers from a Muslim FRIDAY 15 The Evangelical Fellowship
background to know how to respond to of India (EFI) noted a sharp rise in
the accusations and questions they face incidents of violence and targeted hate
so that their faith may not be shaken. against the Christian community in
the northern state of Uttar Pradesh
WEDNESDAY 13 Bashir Masih (aged last year. Uttar Pradesh is the most
60) and his family were the only populous state of India, with 17% of the
Christians living in the village of Gujar country’s total population. Christians
Khan, in Punjab province, Pakistan. make up 0.18% of the state. The EFI’s
On 20 September a group of Muslims Religious Liberty Commission has
attacked Bashir and his wife as they called on the government of Uttar
January/February 2019 12
stood at the door of their house. At 4.00 Pradesh to “restore the confidence of
a.m. the next day they got a phonecall the Christian community by enforcing
telling them to leave or be killed. In the law and order and through exemplary
afternoon, at least twelve armed men punishment to communal elements
stormed the house. They hit Bashir who attack peaceful Churches and
and his sons with iron rods, ripped the worship services on flimsy and made
clothes of his daughters-in-law, and up charges.” Pray that the state
threw the young children against the government will respond favourably.
walls. Then they looted the house and
set it on fire. Pray that this family may SATURDAY 16 Please pray for the
know the Lord’s peace in their hearts, Christian minority in South India,
healing of their injuries, and provision as they struggle to rebuild their lives
for all their practical needs. after the terrible floods six months
ago, the worst for almost a century.
THURSDAY 14 Praise God that, by the It takes years to recover from such
generosity of Barnabas supporters, 387 devastation. Many of the Christians
Pakistani Christian families who used are Dalits, the despised lowest stratum
to be bonded labourers in brick kilns of society, so they are doubly despised.
are now free. The debts they or their Before the floods they were poor,
parents had incurred long ago, at times now they are destitute and even more
of family crisis, used to keep them hated than previously because some
tied to their jobs and burdened with Hindu extremists blamed Christians
a feeling of shame and hopelessness. for causing the floods by angering
But, with the debts paid off, their the Hindu gods. Ask our heavenly
lives are transformed and they are Father to comfort the bereaved and
overflowing with thankfulness to God to provide for those who have losthomes, possessions and their means of refugees from the Montagnard ethnic
livelihood. Barnabas Fund is assisting. group, whom they rounded up en
masse in August. The adults are in
SUNDAY 17 O Lord Jesus, we seek a detention centre and the children
Your blessing on our brave brothers are held somewhere else. Most of
and sisters in Vietnam, who face the group have been granted refugee
persecution of many kinds, including status by the UNHCR, but the Thai
arrest, detention, and mob violence. authorities have a track record of
May they cling faithfully to You, ignoring refugees’ status and instead
resisting all attempts to make them detaining or deporting them. The
deny Your Name. We pray especially adults (aged 18 to 70) must wear
for ethnic minority Christians, who prison-style uniforms and share
are often treated the worst. Be their squalid, crowded cells. But their
strength and their shield. We ask greatest concern is not their present
that you will move the hearts of conditions, appalling though they are,
the Vietnamese authorities to take but rather what might happen if they
concrete steps toward increasing were deported back to Vietnam. Pray
religious liberty. Touch their hearts that they will be strong in the Lord and
and make them see that Christians not give way to fear.
January/February 2019 13
are not dangerous but have a positive
influence on society. TUESDAY 19 Twenty Christian families
(105 people) in a rural part of Laos
MONDAY 18 At the time writing the were given one month to abandon
Thai authorities are still detaining their Christian faith, leave the village
a group of Vietnamese Christian or be put in prison. The church leaders
responded by showing to the local
district head the national constitution/
laws stating that Christianity is a
recognised religion in Laos. But the
district head simply replied that in his
area Christians will not be allowed.
At the time of writing, the church
leaders are trying to get their case
brought to the attention of the central
government. Five of the 20 families
have given up their faith, because they
are so frightened. Pray that the other
15 will stand firm.
WEDNESDAY 20 In the last year, the
Rwandan government has shut down
an estimated 7,000 churches across
Ethnic minority Montagnard Christians face the country. Because group prayer is
particular persecution in Vietnam banned except in government approved
Image Source: Stoptorture-vn.org buildings, this means the Christiansmust now gather secretly. Some of Christians are beginning to fall away
them are reportedly worshipping in from the faith. Pray that the Holy
caves. The official reason given for the Spirit will remind the bereft believers
closures is that the buildings do not of the teaching of the Lord Jesus
meet new strict building regulations (John 14:26).
introduced in February 2018, but
the closures also signal that the SATURDAY 23 Kazakhstan society is
churches are under observation by undergoing a process that could be
the authorities. Over 90% of Rwanda’s called “soft Islamisation”. Radical
population identify as Christians. Pray Muslims have taken control of most
for them, as they react to the changing of the small businesses, and Islamic
environment, that they will be faithful money – mainly from Turkey – is
to the Lord in everything. funding most of the educational
institutions. Christians comprise
THURSDAY 21 A ministry in Uganda about 25% of the population of this
brings the Gospel to Muslims while vast Central Asian republic. As they
also discipling and caring for converts become increasingly marginalised and
from Islam. They link new believers (humanly speaking) powerless, pray
with mature Christians who meet that they may be powerful witnesses for
January/February 2019 14
together in fellowship groups, weekly Christ, drawing many Muslims to Him.
or more often. The recent converts can
grow and the mature Christians have SUNDAY 24 Heavenly Father, we ask
an opportunity to serve and love these for Your wisdom, peace and hope for
vulnerable new brothers and sisters, Christian parents in Tajikistan, who
who have usually sacrificed so much to are forbidden by law to take their
follow Christ. Praise God for bringing children to church or allow them to
so many Ugandan Muslims to Himself participate in any public Christian
and ask His blessing, protection and activities. Help them to take every
guidance for this ministry and its opportunity to teach their children
brave leaders. Your Word and Your ways, talking to
their children about You at home and
FRIDAY 22 In the chaos and violence of outside, at any and every time of day.
Cameroon, as languages and religions May they take comfort in knowing
vie with each other, a Cameroonian that Your father heart feels for them
Baptist pastor has compared the and understands their concerns for
situation with the persecution of their little ones. May Your Holy Spirit
Christians by the Roman Emperor bring the children to full faith in Your
Nero . Although this may be poetic Son, Jesus, in whose Name we pray.
licence, he also cites detailed statistics (Deuteronomy 11:19)
about displaced pastors, who cannot
feed their children let alone send MONDAY 25 Eldos (25, from
them to school, and churches closed Kyrgyzstan) was cornered by three
down – only five of 46 in Belo region Muslim men who tried to force him to
are still functioning. Without pastors recite the Islamic creed. As a convert
or worship services and ministry, to Christianity, Eldos refused, becausethis would have been to deny Christ For the first time in 17 years, local
and return to Islam. The men beat him congregations and church buildings
viciously, causing severe concussion, are able to get registration, so that
breaking his jaw and nose, knocking they can function legally. Thank the
out 20 teeth and making his eye bleed. Lord for these developments which are
The first hospital to which Eldos was easing the pressure on Christians who
taken refused to treat him but two have suffered so much for their faith.
other hospitals have operated on some
of his injuries. At the time of writing, WEDNESDAY 27 Despite a more tolerant
Eldos is troubled by headaches and attitude from the central government
nightmares. Ask the Lord Jesus to of Uzbekistan (see above), Christians –
touch and heal His faithful son, Eldos. especially converts from Islam – still
face persecution from other sources:
TUESDAY 26 President Mirziyoyev of Muslim relatives, local government
Uzbekistan has been in post for two officials and Islamist terrorists.
years. He is making many changes to Gathering to pray in a private home
the strict regime of his predecessor. remains illegal and those who are
For example, he is encouraging foreign caught usually find themselves in court
investment and is much more tolerant the next day and then having to pay
January/February 2019 15
of religious activity. There were a fine. Thank God that the fines have
official celebrations to mark the 500th become much smaller over the last
anniversary of the Reformation, and two years. Pray that the persecuted
he has permitted a limited number believers of Uzbekistan will not grow
of Uzbek Bibles to be imported. weary or lose heart, as they “consider
Him who endured such opposition
from sinners” (Hebrews 12:3).
THURSDAY 28 Police in Uzbekistan
arrested 43 converts to Christianity
from Islam, including twelve teenagers.
The believers were arrested at a
Christian camp in early October and
held for over eight hours. Pressure
was put on them to work as police
informers, or to incriminate the leaders
and organisers of the camp. All the
adults were found guilty of “illegal
assembly” at their trial on 30 October,
but were only given small fines. The
teenagers were not charged. There had
been attempts to film the trial for TV
but the Christians refused this. Pray
that the 43 will be strengthened in their
An Uzbek convert from Islam is baptised faith by this experience and that their
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Number 1092935 Front Cover: A displaced Christian in Myanmar (Burma) holds a Bible in her own
© Barnabas Aid Inc. 2019 language, which was given by Barnabas Fund. (Words on the cover of the Bible
have been blurred for safety so as to keep confidential her people-group.)You can also read
