Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Sudan, Vietnam, Prayer Requests & Intercession for Persecuted Christians

Intercessor Report / Prayer Points

March 2003

Indonesia - The US government has begun to target Al-Qaeda cells in Indonesia, confirming ICC's past reports of terrorist activity in the country. Reports also indicate that jihad activity is on the rise in Irian Jaya and that this province might be the next target of the Islamic extremist group, Laskar Jihad. Irian Jaya is predominantly Christian and is also home to a grassroots independence movement. Both of these factors were issues in the Maluku conflict, where the Laskar Jihad falsely claimed Christian separatists were trying to break away from Indonesia. At least 3,000 jihad warriors are currently believed to be training in Irian Jaya. 
Prayer Points: Ask the Lord to drive the Al-Qaeda network out of Indonesia and to confuse the plans of the Laskar Jihad so that Irian Jaya would not become the next Maluku. Pray that peace would prevail and that the government of Indonesia would take strong action against those who provoke violence. Also pray that Indonesian Christians would love their enemies.

Jordan - A Jordanian Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that the children of Mrs. Siham Jabrin should be placed in the custody of their uncle. Mrs. Jabrin, who is Christian, is being denied custody of her children because her late husband had converted to Islam while stationed with the Jordanian army in Kosovo. Mrs. Jabrin's brother, who also converted to Islam, demanded custody of 15-year-old Faadi and 13-year-old Rawan because under Jordanian law, the children of a Muslim father cannot be placed in the custody of a Christian. 
Prayer Points: Pray that the court ruling would be reversed and that Mrs. Siham could retain custody of her children. In the meantime, pray that the two teenagers would hold fast to their Christian faith and not be pressured into converting to Islam.

Pakistan - Five people were killed and more than 40 were injured in the second attack against a Christian church since October. Unknown assailants threw hand grenades at worshippers in the International Protestant Church near the US Embassy in Islamabad. Among the dead were two American citizens, an Afghani, and a Pakistani. The church was frequented by Westerners because of its proximity to the diplomatic enclave. 
Prayer Points: Pray that the perpetrators of the church attack would be brought to justice. Ask the Lord to give peace and strength to Pakistani Christians who are living in fear of further attacks. Also pray that the terrorist network in Pakistan would be dismantled.

Sudan - The Government of Sudan has temporarily removed most of its troops from the Nuba Mountains because of a cease-fire agreement. However, they are deploying these troops to the Upper Nile region where attacks on civilians have been increasing. An ICC team was recently able to travel to the area and met several couples whose children were burned to death in their huts when the GOS troops opened fire on their villages. 
Prayer Points: Pray for the couples who lost their children. Pray that the GOS would end their scorched earth campaign in the Upper Nile region. Ask God to protect displaced Christians who have lost their homes, families, and possessions. Pray that a real peace agreement would be reached and that all parties would be serious about implementing it.

Vietnam - An ICC visiting Vietnam during March learned that the majority of the Christians in Vietnam, mostly comprised of ethnic minorities, are suffering persecution. They have been denied the right to assemble, to speak, and to even exist. They seem to be literally cut off from the rest of the world. The Vietnamese government has stated over radio and TV that Christians will be eliminated by the end of 2002 and that Christianity is an "evil religion" that is a "tool of the United States" and is a "CIA plot to attempt to win the war that the U.S. lost" during the Vietnam War. 
Prayer Points: Pray that God would change the hearts of Vietnamese officials to allow for greater religious freedom in Vietnam. Pray for the Lord's protection over ethnic minority Christians and that there would be revival throughout the country. Pray that ICC can effectively help our brothers and sisters in Vietnam.

Thanks for your prayers and action.
International Christian Concern

Posted:  March 30, 2002