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News and Prayer for the Persecuted
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'Boko Haram Has Killed 8,000 Members of Our Church,' Says Nigerian Pastor of 176 Kidnapped Chibok Schoolgirls
The President of the Nigerian Brethren Church claims Boko Haram has slain more than 8,000 members of his denomination. 176 of the nearly 300 girls from Chibok Boko Haram kidnapped in April 2014 were children of Nigerian Brethren church members. "Seventy percent of our churches have been destroyed in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states by Boko Haram; over 8,000 of our members were killed; one hundred and seventy-six of the girls kidnapped in Chibok are our members," the Rev. Samuel Dali said, according to Naij.com.
- Pray that the persecution of the Nigerian Brethen Church would bring them together in unity and that they would encounter God in intimate ways through this trial
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Pray
that the world would continue to stand in prayer and contend for the release of the 176 girls who remain in captivity by Boko Haram
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Pray that Nigeria's military offensive will be successful in continuing to weaken Boko Haram, especially in regions such as Yobe and Borno state, as they are still extremely insecure
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Still No Justice for Victims of the 2008 Anti-Christian Riots in India
Victims of the 2008 Anti-Christian riots that swept across India's Odisha state remain without justice. Seven years ago, anti-Christian violence swept across the Kandhamal district of Odisha. Mobs of Hindu radicals moved from village to village, attacking Christian homes, businesses, and places of worship. As a result, over 50,000 Christians were displaced and 38 were murdered according to government figures. Still, many of the victims of this terrible violence have gone without justice.
- Pray that the families of victims will receive compensation and restitution from the Indian government
- Pray that God would continue to minister, console and encourage the over 50,000 displaced Christians in Odisha
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Pray
for a movement of God in withdrawing hate for Christians in India
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Why Are Churches Still Being Demolished in China?
Over the past two years, countless stories of church demolitions and cross removals have come out of China. Estimates vary, but the total figure of churches affected is believed to be somewhere between 1,500 and 1,700 - a move that campaigners have branded unprecedented, or at least not seen since the harrowing days of the Cultural Revolution. Reports suggest that up to 10,000 people are becoming Christians every day and while there were just one million believers when China's Communist ruling party, CPC, came to power in 1949, there are now thought to be as many as 100 million. By 2030, one expert has estimated that China will be home to more Christians than any other country in the world.
- Pray for the end of the church demolition campaign that began in Zheijang province in late 2013
- Pray that Christians in China would remain strong in the midst of this persecution and that they would continue to worship God with all their minds, heart and strength
- Praise God that He has made China home to one of the fastest growing church movements in the world and for working in powerful ways in this ancient land
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Human Rights Lawyer Prevented from Flying out of Beijing
The Chinese government is mounting a broad crackdown on human rights lawyers, contending that they have exploited contentious cases to enrich themselves and attack the party. Liang Xiaojun was turned away as he tried to cross the border to board a plane to study in the United States last Thursday. If the Chinese government thinks it can prevent the world from knowing about its human rights abuses by preventing the travel of human rights lawyers, it is seriously mistaken. It therefore seems the travel ban is intended more to punish those who dare to disagree with the party in power.
- Pray that God would bless the human rights lawyers in China and continue to be successful in revealing China's human rights abuses
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Pray
that God would comfort Liang Xiaojun's wife and son as they face increased scrutiny from the Chinese government
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Will Displaced Kachin Christians Be Able to Vote?
Thousands of people displaced by conflict in Myanmar's Kachin state could find themselves without a vote during the highly anticipated Nov. 8 elections, local politicians and aid workers are warning. There are concerns about Christians and other minorities being able to take part in the elections in Myanmar because of flooding and closed polling stations in areas that are controlled by anti-government forces.
- Pray that God would provide a way for Kachin Christians to be able to get to open polling stations and vote successfully
- Pray for the safety of more than 100,000 Kachins who have been displaced since 2012 following the breakdown of a 17-year ceasefire between Myanmar's military and Kachin rebels
- Pray for the provision of internally displaced people, many of them Christians, who have been living in temporary camps in rebel-controlled areas
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Freed Pastors Arrive Home from Sudan after Ordeal of False Charges, Travel Ban
Two South Sudanese pastors arrived home in Juba from Khartoum, Sudan after an eight-month ordeal of imprisonment, fabricated charges of capital crimes and a ban on leaving the country. Pastors Yat Michael and Peter Yein were jailed on multiple false charges including espionage and waging war against the State; some of their charges carried the potential for a death sentence. Open Doors, which ranks countries annually on the severity of their persecution of Christians, placed Sudan sixth on their most recent World Watch List.
- Praise God for the release of Pastors Michael and Peter and their safe arrival in Juba
- Pray for the protection of Pastors Michael and Peter as they transition back home
- Pray for the safety of Christians in Sudan where the harassment, arrests and persecution of Christians have intensified since the secession of South Sudan in July 2011
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