Belarus, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Uzbekistan, China, Jordan, Prayer Requests & Intercession for Persecuted Christians

Intercessor Report / Prayer Points

June/July 2002

Belarus -The government is considering a new law on religion, which, if passed, would curtail the activities of some Christian groups. The law would make it necessary for all religious groups to re-register. However, only groups with 20 or more adult citizens from the same town would be allowed to register. All unregistered groups would be denied the right to function legally. Furthermore, religious literature distribution would be controlled by a specially appointed committee. Another recent incident adds to the concern about religious freedom in Belarus. On June 6, three Christian men were fined and six Christian women were warned after a court found them guilty of taking part in an "unsanctioned demonstration." A group of Baptists had been evangelizing and singing on the street in the Lepel administration of Vitebsk. 
Prayer Points: Pray that proposed legislation would not be passed by the Belarussian government and that Christian groups would be able to continue their activities without hindrance. Pray for revival in this former Soviet republic.

Indonesia - Attacks against Christians continue. On June 5th, four people, including a Pentecostal pastor, were killed when a hidden bomb exploded on a bus traveling from Palu to Tentena in Central Sulawesi. Another bomb on the bus failed to explode. 17 people were injured. All passengers on board the bus were Christians. 
Prayer Points: Pray that the Indonesian government would step up their efforts to arrest Islamic militants and restore peace to Maluku and Central Sulawesi.

Saudi Arabia - During late June an ICC advocacy team will be meeting with US law makers to support the religious freedom of the approximately 500,000 Christian expatriates working in Saudi Arabia. At least ten Christians remain imprisoned at the Breman Deportation Prison in Jeddah. Three others continue to be held in Riyadh. 
Prayer Points: Pray that ICC's advocacy would affect the way the US government deals with Saudi Arabia. Pray for the release of the believers being held in Saudi Arabian prisons, but also ask that they could reach other prisoners for the Gospel.

Sudan - At least 11 people were killed and 45 were injured when GOS forces dropped 16 bombs on the village of Rier, Western Upper Nile on May 22. An ICC team was only miles from Rier at the time of the attack and was able to help several wounded people. Some victims had been dismemberd by flying shrapnel. This attack represents yet another breach of the cease-fire agreement between the GOS and the SPLA. 
Prayer Points: Pray that the GOS would stop bombing campaigns against civilians. Pray that ICC and other like-minded groups could continue to provide humanitarian aid and spiritual encouragement to the southern Sudanese people.

Uzbekistan - Recently authorities in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan have begun to crack down on unregistered Christian churches. Two churches in Nukus, the Novaya Zhizn (New Life) Church and the Mir Church, were raided by police and members were interrogated. Several people from the Novaya Zhin church were fined while the pastor of the Mir Church got off with a warning, probably due to international pressure. While investigating the case a reporter from Keston Institute was questioned by the authorities.
Prayer Points: Pray that Christians in Uzbekistan would be able to worship unhindered.

ICC - Pray for an ICC team that will be meeting with Christians in a repressive Asian country.

Praise Report: 

China: All of the house church leaders kidnapped by the Eastern Lightning cult have been freed. Please continue to pray for their spiritual well-being and that the Chinese government would not take advantage of the situation to arrest them. 

Jordan: The government has assured a Christian widow that her two children will not be taken from her and put in the custody of her Muslim brother. She has been able to return to her home after several months in hiding.

Thanks for your prayers and action.
International Christian Concern

Posted:  June 24, 2002