Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jordan, Nigeria, Prayer Requests & Intercession for Persecuted Christians

Intercessor Report / Prayer Points

March 2003

Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) – Religious tensions have been on the rise since northern Muslim rebels began fighting the predominantly Christian government last September. A French-brokered peace agreement requires that rebels hold key government positions. However, five of the country’s six political parties have refused to recognize the agreement as it hands power to militants. Reports indicate that the rebels have received funding and arms from Islamist groups like Al-Qaeda. Christian pastors report that rebels have threatened to kill them.
Prayer Points: Pray that Cote d’ Ivoire’s Christian population could live in peace. Ask the Lord to diffuse the rebels’ plans to carry out future attacks if not given government positions.

Hong Kong – A controversial new law known as Article 23 could ban any group operating in Hong Kong that receives funds, direction, or leadership from a group that is outlawed in China. This could, in effect, make illegal all Christian groups in Hong Kong that are considered cults in China. The government is hoping to pass this new legislation by July.
Prayer Points: Pray that freedom of religion would prevail in Hong Kong and that Christians could continue to worship openly. Pray that Hong Kong could continue to have its own government and would not become a puppet of the Beijing regime.

Indonesia – The court case against Rev. Rinaldy Damanik began on February 3. However, since that time the charges against Damanik have changed from possession of weapons to being a provocateur of violence. Damanik refused to attend a hearing on February 18, saying he did not want to legitimize these fabricated charges. Meanwhile, the leader of the militant Laskar Jihad, Jafar Umar Thalib, was acquitted of provoking violence and has been released.
Prayer Points: Pray that all charges against Rev. Damanik would be dropped and that he will be released from prison. Pray that the true perpetrators of violence would be punished. Ask the Lord to prevent Thalib from causing further damage to the Christian communities of Maluku and central Sulawesi.

Jordan – Christian widow, Siham Qandah, remains in hiding since a court ordered that she be arrested if she does not hand over her children. At this point only intervention from the King can prevent the courts from taking Qandah’s two teenage children and handing them over to a Muslim guardian.
Prayer Points: Ask the Lord to move in the heart of King Abdallah to help this Christian widow. Pray that Qandah’s children would remain strong in their Christian faith and that they could be able to worship freely.

Nigeria – The country’s Presidential elections are scheduled to take place on April 19, 2003. One of the main candidates, Major General Muhammad Buhari, is a supporter of Islamic sharia law. Under current Christian President Obasanjo’s rule several northern Muslim-majority states have already implemented sharia. It is thus believable that Buhari would push for sharia on a national level. Given recent tension between the Muslim and Christian communities, there is much concern about possible violence during the election.
Prayer Points: Pray that the Lord would install His choice for the Presidency of Nigeria. Pray for a peaceful election process and that each person could cast his or her vote without pressure or fear of reprisal.

Thanks for your prayers and action.
International Christian Concern

Posted:  February 28, 2003