Indonesia, Muslim World, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Prayer Requests & Intercession for Persecuted Christians

Intercessor Report / Prayer Points

April 2003

Praise Report: Two Ethiopian pastors illegally detained for 10 months have been released. Kiros Meles and Abebayeh Desalegn were arrested in connection with the death of an Orthodox man during a riot. According to the evangelical community, an off-duty police officer was responsible for the shooting. Also released from prison in March were Pakistanis Rashid and Saleem Masih. The two brothers were arrested under blaphemy charges in 1999 and had been sentenced to 35 years in prison. Praise the Lord for letting the prisoners go free!

Indonesia - Rev. Rinaldy Damanik was hospitalized with Hepatitis B on February 24 after being forced to attend a hearing of his case despite being ill. Meanwhile, prosecutors have begun the witness selection process in the case against Damanik. He is charged with provoking violence in Central Sulawesi last summer.
Prayer Points: Pray for Damanik's full recovery from Hepatitis B and other ailments. Pray that true justice will prevail in his case. Also pray that the recent peace between the Christian and Muslim communities in Indonesia will prevail.

Muslim World - The war with Iraq is expected to cause a backlash against Christian minorities living in the Muslim world. Many of these believers suffer silent persecution on a daily basis, including forced Islamic indoctrination in schools and the denial of health and human services. The war will likely increase persecution against them and violent attacks are feared in some countries like Pakistan.
Prayer Points: Pray that God will subdue those planning violent attacks on His children. Ask Him to strengthen Christians living in hostile nations and to give them an answer for the hope that is in them, that their enemies might be won over by their love.

Sri Lanka - The Hindu Cultural Affairs Minister has proposed anti-conversion legislation similar to that passed in India's Tamil Nadu state. A draft of the bill is reportedly already prepared and would punish those complicit in "allurement" and "forced" conversions. Support for the bill is expected to be high among fundamentalist Buddhists and the Hindu community.
Prayer Points: Pray that anti-conversion legislation will be overwhelming rejected by the Sri Lankan Parliament. Pray that Christians can continue to exercise their faith, including evangelism, in freedom.

Uzbekistan - According to F-18News, Christians in Uzbekistan's Karakalpakstan region continue to face opposition from local authorities. A Presbyterian Church in Nukus has been forced to go underground as authorities have rejected their application for registration. Registration is needed in order to hold religious meetings. In the town of Muinak two Pentecostals were arrested in December for holding religious meetings and were reportedly beaten and humiliated by the public prosecutor. They were then imprisoned for five days.
Prayer Points: Pray that God will encourage Christians who have been forced to worship in secret. Pray that the church in Karakalpakstan will grow and that God will give them increased favor with the authorities.

Vietnam - An ICC fact-finding trip to Vietnam revealed ongoing persecution against the country's ethnic minorities. Pastors reported being followed and frequently interrogated by police. At least 56 Montagnard pastors from the Central Highlands remain imprisoned or missing as well as nine Hmong pastors from the northern part of the country. In addition, all but two of 417 house churches have been closed in the Central Highlands. Other recent reports indicate that five Montagnard believers were beaten on February 24.
Prayer Points: Pray that the 56 Montagnard and 9 Hmong pastors will be reunited with their families. Pray for all of the churches in the Central Highlands to be re-opened. Also, ask God to move in the hearts of the Vietnamese government to provide more freedom to Christians so they can preach the Gospel without being constantly interrogated and followed by authorities.

Thanks for your prayers and action.
International Christian Concern

Posted:  March 28, 2003