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News and Prayer for the Persecuted
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Christian Leader in Pakistan Begs West to Open Doors to Persecuted Pakistani Christians
A Christian leader in Pakistan has begged the West to open its doors to persecuted Christians fleeing Pakistan. This comes as European nations announce their intentions to take in thousands of Syrian refugees. It is estimated 30,000 Christians have fled Pakistan due to persecution and are now living as refugees in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia. These Christian refugees are still seeking resettlement by the UNHCR because Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia do not resettle refugees.
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'Military Gaining Ground' Against Boko Haram: Nigeria's Buhari
Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari claims that the military is winning advances in the country's northeast against Boko Haram despite reports tallying nearly 900 people killed in the crisis since Buhari assumed office. Buhari's confidence stems from word that the militant Islamist terror group and its operatives have become limited to the confines of the Sambisa Forest. Boko Haram has historically targeted Christians for murder, forced conversion, and rape.
- Praise God for the report that Nigeria's military has made great strides in defeating Boko Haram
- Pray that God would give His wisdom and guidance to President Muhammadu Buhari and the military leaders to know how to further dissolve Boko Haram
- Pray for the healing and recovery of thousands of Boko Haram victims who are forced to live in fear in the threat of their attacks
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Forced Conversions of Young Christian Women Remains Major Issue in Pakistan
The abduction, forced conversion, and forced marriage of thousands of women in Pakistan remain a major issue faced by religious minorities. Christians are particularly hard hit by this with some groups estimating that approximately 700 Christian women and girls are subjected to this abuse every year. Often, rape and shame are used as weapons to silence victims and trap them in these abusive situations. Please take time today to pray for the victims affected by this issue.
- Pray for God's comfort and courage to be with the thousands of young women who are living in forced marriages in Pakistan
- Pray that local authorities will no longer turn a blind eye to young women being kidnapped, forcibly converted, and married in Pakistan
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Migrant Crisis Has Reached 'Biblical Proportions' With Millions of Refugees Overwhelming Europe, UK Leader Warns
British Prime Minister David Cameron reflects much of the sentiment in Europe towards the swelling refugee crisis hitting the continent's shores as poor, persecuted, and suffering people brave the high seas to flee Africa and the Middle East for greener pastures. Migrants include a broad range of people leaving unspeakable suffering of all kinds from difficult parts of the world. However, some of the most desperate migrants are persecuted Christians like our Eritrean brothers and sisters. Many would rather risk their lives crossing ISIS-occupied deserts and brave the Mediterranean waves in overcrowded rafts than end up roasting or freezing in cages in their homeland because of their faith in Christ.
- Pray for refugees and migrants risking their lives to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea in unsafe, overcrowded vessels
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Pray
for compassion for European people and governments
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Pray for politicians and administrators making decisions about how to deal with the crisis
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Pray that there will be coordinated action across continents, and not just by one country, to end the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean
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Christians In Syria Commanded By ISIS To Stifle Their Faith If They Don't Want To Die
After seizing Christian communities in Syria, the extremist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is now forcibly suppressing Christianity in areas of Syria. ISIS has publicly released the terms which say that Christians must abide by or else they risk execution in a town in central Syria.
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Syrian town of Qaryatian fell to ISIS control in early August and more than 250 Christians were held captive. A few have been able to escape after paying the tax required of them by the extremist group.
- Pray that the situation will stabilize in Syria, and that Christians will once again experience religious freedom in their homeland
- Pray for the safety and security of Christians who remain in Syria
- Pray for those forced to flee their homes: keep them safe during their travels and arrival in foreign lands
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Christianity in Syria Going the Same Way as Iraq, Patriarch Warns
As Christians across Syria face incredible risks in the midst of a violent civil war that not only is tearing the country apart, but is also specifically targeting religious minorities, many are looking to flee. Church leaders are calling for Christians, especially young people, to choose to stay, but much must be done to stem the "tsunami of emigration."
- Pray for those caught up in the cycle of violence and bloodshed so that they may have peace
- Pray for Christian Aid partners in neighbouring countries: that God would guide them in their response to this situation
- Pray that God will guide the United Nations, and governments whose actions might bring about peace
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