Belarus, India, Nigeria, North Korea, United Arab Emirates, Prayer Requests & Intercession for Persecuted Christians

Intercessor Report / Prayer Points

January 2003

Belarus - The new religion law, which went into effect on November 18, is already being used to oppress members of minority faiths. Two Roman Catholics, Igor Zakrevsky and Sergei Peskin, were arrested for protesting the new law. They expect to face 15 days in prison or a fine up to $1,790 USD. A religious affairs official in Minsk also informed religious community leaders that official permission is needed to hold religious meetings of 10 or more people in private homes. Many evangelical churches hold home meetings because they are not able to buy a building.
Prayer Points: Pray that the new law would prove cumbersome and ineffective, thus leading to its repeal. Pray that Christian groups could continue to express their freedom of speech and meet in homes without fear of fines or arrest.

India - Persecution is escalating in India since the passage of legislation to stop "forcible" conversions in Tamil Nadu. On December 6, thousands of Dalits wishing to convert to Christianity and desiring baptism were turned away by police. Eleven people responsible for arranging the mass conversion ceremony in Chennai were arrested and many people were beaten as they tried to reach the site of the ceremony. A Hindu fundamentalist group in Pondicherry is calling for similar legislation, having accused a prison superintendent of forcibly converting inmates. Reports of mob attacks on Christians in Bombay and Madhya Pradesh also give reason for concern.
Prayer Points: Pray that Dalits and others who wish to become Christians could do so without interference, fines and imprisonment by the government. Pray that legislation banning forcible conversions would be repealed and declared unconstitutional. Ask the Lord to strengthen and bless the Christian believers in India.

Nigeria - More than 250 people were killed and 200 others injured after the This Day newspaper printed a report on the Miss World contest suggesting that the prophet Muhammad would have liked to marry one of the contestants. The author of the article, a Christian, was forced to flee the country after a fatwa calling for her death was issued. Additionally, over 20 churches were destroyed by Muslim mobs. The climate for Christians continues to worsen in Nigeria as Islamic extremists become increasingly violent. Christian leaders have warned that they may be forced to retaliate.
Prayer Points: Pray that God would bring peace to Nigeria and calm the hearts of those bent on violence. Pray that Christians would show love to their enemies and not retaliate violently to attacks against them. Pray that sharia law would be overturned in the northern states and that all people could practice their faith freely.

North Korea - Conditions for Christians in this Communist country continue to be extremely severe. There has been an ongoing famine since 1994, which has led to starvation and possibly even cannibalism, according to unpublished reports. Besides these hardships, Christians are singled out for imprisonment, torture, and even execution unless they recant their faith and worship the reigning dictator, Kim Jong Il. There are believed to be up to 100,000 Christians in labor camps, including many who have been forcibly returned from China after attempting to escape the country.
Prayer Points: Ask God to provide for North Korean believers who have so little. Pray that Christians would gain favor with prison officials and that their suffering would diminish. Pray that Kim Jong Il would be convicted of his sins and show concern for those who have suffered under his heavy-handed policies.

United Arab Emirates - Rev. Fernando Alconga, a Filipino pastor, is being held in the Al Quasis Prison in Dubai on charges of distributing Christian materials. Pastor Alconga had given a package of materials called "Who is God" to an Egyptian Arab as well as to other non-Arab people at the Al Bustan Center in Dubai. At a hearing on December 1st, Rev. Alconga was refused legal counsel. He has also been forced to sign documents in Arabic and refused access to a translator. He is being denied bail.
Prayer Points: Pray that Rev. Alconga would be released and could continue to serve his Filipino Church in the UAE. Ask the Lord to strengthen Rev. Alconga in prison and give him opportunity to share the Gospel with other prisoners.
UPDATE:  As of December 18, 2002, ICC has received word that Rev. Alconga was released from prison on December 17. His current status is unknown as there still appear to be charges against him.

Praise Report: 

The Erfanis, a family of Iranian asylum seekers, has finally made it to Canada after being refused refugee status several times by UN officials in Turkey. The Christian convert family had faced possible repatriation to Iran.

Thanks for your prayers and action.
International Christian Concern

Posted:  December 19, 2002