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News and Prayer for the Persecuted
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Ceasefire Agreed Upon In Syrian Civil War
Six hours after Russia submitted a ceasefire proposal, world leaders in Geneva announced that they agreed to a ceasefire in the Syrian Civil War that has lasted for the past three years and taken hundreds of thousands of lives. International Christian Concern (ICC) sources have reported that if the ceasefire is, in fact, adhered to, it would be implemented in the next week, causing incredible reprieve to the millions of Syrian civilians that either remained in hiding or were displaced since the commencement of the war.
- Praise God for the ceasefire that is a huge step forward for the relief of the millions of Syrian civilians that have been caught in the violence.
- Pray for humanitarian organisations to be equipped to assist the needs of those living in poverty and insecurity.
- Pray for those left homeless and destitute through this conflict, that they will find hope and healing through Jesus Christ
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Arrests in Zhejiang Province Alarm Proponents of Religious Freedom
2/11/2016 China (VOA)
Recent activity in China has brought religious freedom to the forefront for many media outlets. The arrest of Gu Yuese, the pastor of the 10,000 member Chongyi protestant church, brought to light a rising shift in China's stance on Christianity. For many years Zhejiang province had enjoyed a meteoric rise in church growth and new converts, but in 2013 the government initiated a new objective, to hide Christianity's presence. Approximately 1,700 crosses have been removed due to 'building code violations' and over 400 churches have been demolished or closed. More than 250 lawyers, activists, and church leaders were arrested in 2015 for their opposition to the crackdown on Christianity. China fears the rise of Christianity as an adversary to Communism's control on the people. Solidifying the Communist Party's hold on the nation is all that matters, even if it tramples on religious freedom.
- Pray for the speedy release of Pastor Gu Yuese and for many other Chinese believers who are imprisoned for their faith.
- Pray for the safety and security of church leaders, lawyers, and activists in China.
- Pray for Christians in China as they face growing pressure and opposition to their faith from the government.
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New North Korea Sanctions Recognizes Human Rights Abuses as it Passes Senate
2/11/2016 North Korea (Senator Bob Corker)
The United States Senate has voted by a margin of 96-0 in approving the latest string of sanctions on the North Korean regime. The most recent sanctions were predicated by North Korea's defiance toward international sanctions against missile testing as the regime launched a satellite into space last Saturday. Normally increased sanctions would not be unusual however, the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 is the first to address human rights violations within the text. ICC supported the recent sanctions on North Korea as we along with other NGOs signed on to a congressional letter calling for human rights abuses to be acknowledged within the resolution. North Korea has been listed as the worst place to live as a Christian for the 14th straight year.
- Pray that the new UN resolution targeting North Korea will be adopted very quickly.
- Pray that the new resolution will successfully "do the work of reducing tension, working toward denuclearization (of the Korean peninsula), maintaining peace and stability, and encouraging a negotiated solution."
- Pray for North Korean Christians who face the daily threat of persecution, imprisonment and death for their faith.
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Boko Haram Insurgency: Suicide Bombers Kill 56 in Nigeria Camp
2/11/2016 Nigeria (BBC)
Boko Haram strikes again in northeast Nigeria, this time killing nearly 60 people in a displacement camp near Maiduguri. Eyewitnesses reported twin suicide bombers detonated explosives while camp residents waited in line collecting food rations. The increasing trend of deadly suicide attacks in northeast Nigeria shows Boko Haram remains far from defeated and represents troubling effectiveness to maim, kill, and infiltrate populations already ravaged by the continuing insurgency. Boko Haram has apparently shifted from a Islamist terror group that once controlled territory and specifically marked out Christians for destruction, to a deadly guerrilla jihadist movement bent on shocking destruction towards populations of all kinds.
Full Story
- Pray for the friends and families of the victims who were killed in this brutal attack.
- Pray for an end to the lawlessness that is leading to an increase in Muslim extremist influence in Nigeria.
- Pray for protection and freedom to worship for Christians in Nigeria.
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Christian Leaders in Pakistan Welcome Review of Country's Notorious Blasphemy Laws
2/10/2016 Pakistan (The Irish Catholic)
Christian leaders in Pakistan welcome the suggested review of the country's notorious blasphemy laws by the Islamic Ideology Council. Recently, the president of the Islamic Ideology Council suggested that the government should recommend the laws to his council for review to see if the current implementation is consistent with Islam. This is one of the first times Islamic leaders in Pakistan have suggested reviewing the country's blasphemy laws and comes as a ray of hope for many of Pakistan's persecuted religious minorities.
- Pray for the Pakistan government and Council of Islamic Ideology as they debate the blasphemy laws; pray for wisdom, discernment and for a softening of this legislation that has been used as a tool of violence.
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Pray
for those who are awaiting sentencing under these harsh laws; pray for clemency from the courts, and for justice to prevail on their behalf.
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Pray for Christians in Pakistan, for protection from the growing Islamic fundamentalism in the country, and for courage to share their faith.
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Burkina Faso: Al Qaeda Frees Kidnapped Missionary Jocelyn Elliott, But Husband Ken Still Held
Jocelyn Elliot, an Australian missionary, has been released after being kidnapped in Burkina Faso by an Al Qaeda-affiliated organization. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) stated in a video that she would be released in the effort to "not make women involved in the war." Although Mrs. Elliot has been released, her husband, Dr. Ken Elliot, is still being held captive.
- Praise God for the safe release of Jocelyn Elliot; pray for her healing as she recovers.
- Pray for the swift and safe release of Dr. Ken Elliot who is still being held captive.
- Pray for missionaries in Burkina Faso who who face the threat of persecution for their faith; pray that they can be a witness to the hope, grace and love of Jesus.
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