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News and Prayer for the Persecuted
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Chinese House Church Shut Down by Government Officials
12/9/2015 China (Christian Today)
A Chinese house church has been ordered to close down by local officials in Dazhou, Sichuan province. It is not surprising to see such actions taken by the Communist Party of China as they continue to juggle the massive rise in Christianity among their citizens. Members of the house church are questioning the legality of the closure as, according to Chinese regulations regarding churches, if the congregation is less than 50 people they are not required to register with the state. The Chinese church has faced a multitude of persecution cases within the last couple of years. The most notable has been the systematic removal of crosses and church buildings in Zhejiang province which has seen over 1,500 crosses removed and nearly 400 buildings destroyed.
- Pray for the courage and strength of the members of the Chinese house church that was forcibly closed
- Pray that God will give house churches in China unity in preaching the truth and unity in the Holy Spirit
- Pray that God will bring an end to the cross removal campaign in Zhejiang province
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Demolition of Christian Slums in Islamabad Emblematic of Christian Persecution in Pakistan
In the Capital Development Authority's (CDA's) explanation for the demolition of Christian slums in Islamabad, traces of why Pakistan's Christian community faces so much persecution become apparent. Viewed as an unwanted and unclean minority, Christians are seen as untouchable by Pakistan's Muslim majority. This has led to generations of discrimination that has left Christians in Pakistan poor, uneducated, and persecuted. What investment must be made in Pakistan's Christian population to break out of this discrimination and allow them to advance in Pakistan?
- Pray for Christians in Pakistan who are being displaced from their homes; pray that they will be able to find shelter and provision
- Pray for the strongholds of Islamic extremism and terrorist violence to be broken and rendered powerless in Pakistan, in Jesus' name
- Pray for leaders of integrity to carefully navigate ongoing tensions with neighboring countries which threaten the nation's stability
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Students Show Support for Teacher Reportedly Reprimanded for Talking About God in Class
On December 7, 2015, more than 50 students gathered outside of Santa Rosa High School in support of math teacher Charles Zeissel. Reports indicate that Zeissel was confronted by school officials last week regarding concerns that he had spoken about his faith during class. Students, under the impression that Zeissel had been disciplined for his actions, gathered in protest; however, the superintendent has stated that Zeissel was not punished.
- Praise God for the boldness of the 50 students from Santa Rosa High School who are standing up for their teacher
- Pray that God will cover Charles Zeissel with His grace and wisdom during this time
- Pray that God will use the persecution of Charles Zeissel for good and that leaders and students will be inspired by Charles Zeissel's faith in Christ
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North Korea Allows S. Korean Christian Leaders to Enter on 'Regular Basis'
12/7/2015 North Korea (The Japan Times)
After long and difficult negotiations, South Korea and North Korea have come to a principle agreement, allowing Christian priests to enter the hermit kingdom on a "regular basis." North Korea is likely the most restrictive regime in the world, with religion highly regulated and monitored by the Communist government. Currently there is only one legitimate church building standing in Pyongyang, the Changchung Cathedral which has not seen any form of an ordained minister. The agreement is a major improvement between the two nations, potentially allowing for more dialogue in the future, but more importantly the opportunity to help care for the spiritual growth of the 3,000 Christians who live in North Korea.
- Praise God for the agreement between South Korea and North Korea to allow Christian priests to enter the countryhristians of Chiapas will remain strong in their faith and not give in to the pressure from village leaders to pay fines that they do not owe
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Pray
that this decision will pave the way for greater dialogue and improved relations between the two nations
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Pray that the Christians priests who enter North Korea will be able to transform North Korea's culture through prayer, wisdom, and Christ's love
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Indonesian Churches Banned from Buildings to Perform Christmas Services Outside
During this Christmas season, we must remember those across the globe who are celebrating along with us the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. For many years, the GKI and HKBP churches of Indonesia have been forced to perform their Christmas services outside in front of the presidential palace. Both church buildings were closed by local authorities nearly 6 years ago due to pressure from local Muslim radicals. As each of us prepares to celebrate, whether it is at home or in our local church, please keep these congregations in your prayers along with the millions of Christians who face persecution during Christmas.
- Pray that God will open the eyes of local authorities and local Muslims radicals; pray that God will meet them in dreams and visions and that they will come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior
- Pray that God will move and that church services held outside will draw even more people, that people and the government of Indonesia will see that they can never close God's Church because the church is not a building but the church is the people
- Pray that the members of the GKI and HKBP churches will not be discouraged and that they will remain faithful to God during this time
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