Bangladesh, Colombia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Prayer Requests & Intercession for Persecuted Christians

Intercessor Report / Prayer Points

June 1, 2003

Bangladesh - On April 24, Hridoy Roy, a Christian evangelist, was stabbed to death by a group of 7-8 people as he returned home from showing the Jesus film.
Prayer Points: Pray for the Lord's protection over Christian pastors and evangelists in Bangladesh. Pray that those who murdered Roy would come to know Christ.

Colombia - A Christian pastor and three others were murdered inside the Sardis Church in the town of Tierralta, Cordoba department on May 6. About 25 unidentified men entered the church and brutally murdered 80-year-old Pastor Miguel Mariano Posada and church treasurer Ana Berenice Girardo Velásquez by slitting their throats. Natividad Blandón and 17-year-old Julio Torres, were shot to death by the armed group, according to El Pais newspaper.
Prayer Points: Pray that all armed insurgents would lay down their arms and that there would be an end to terrorism in Colombia. Ask the Lord to comfort the families of those who were killed on May 6. Pray that the Christian church would continue to grow and prosper in this troubled nation.

Iraq - Fear is growing among the Christian community as Shi'a clerics call for sharia law to be implemented. Some Christian women have reported being harassed for refusing to cover their heads and two men were shot to death in Basra on May 8 for selling alcohol. Some Christians fear Iraq will become another Iran if the religious rights of minorities are not protected under the new constitution.
Prayer Points: Pray for a smooth transition to a new government and that all Iraqis, regardless of their faith or ethnicity, would be included. Pray that the new constitution would recognize the right of religious freedom for all citizens. Ask the Lord to restore peace and stability to the country.

Saudi Arabia - Two Christians, who are expected to be deported shortly, are being held in the Breman deportation center in Jeddah. Pastor Endeshaw Adane Yizengaw (Ethiopian) and Mr. Girmaye Ambaye (Eritrean) were arrested on charges related to their residency permits. However, both claim they were targeted for their Christian activities. Over ten members of their Christian fellowship were arrested and deported last year.
Prayer Points: Pray for the immediate release of both men and that there would be no complications receiving the wages due them and other legal matters surrounding their departure from the country. Ask God to encourage believers from Pastor Endeshaw's church who are under surveillance from the Saudi authorities.

Sudan - Rev. Samuel Dobai Amum, an Episcopal priest, was imprisoned on April 7 because he refused to demolish his church building. Although Rev. Amum built the chapel in an undeveloped part of the Takamol-Hag-Yousif area of Khartoum North in 1987, the city council informed him in 1995 that the land belonged to Mr. Awad Abdalla Bashir, a member of the council. Bashir demanded that Amum pay 10 million dinars for use of the land. A judge upheld Bashir's demands, sentencing Amum to prison for an indefinite amount of time until he pays 7 million dinars to secure use of the land or destroy the church.
Prayer Points: Ask God to change Mr. Bashir's heart and that he would drop all charges. Pray that the church could continue to exist and that Rev. Amum would be released from prison. Pray for God's special protection over Christian refugees in northern Sudan who are treated as second-class citizens.

Turkmenistan - On May 11, five law enforcement officers raided a Baptist church service in the city of Turkmenbashi, searching the premises and obtaining information on those in attendance. The Baptists, who were meeting in a private apartment, were told they had broken Article 205 of the administrative code, which punishes the "violation of the law on religion." However, under Turkmenistan's laws, there is no ban on unregistered religious communities. The administrative commission of the city was expected to fine each person 250,000 manats (50 USD), the average monthly wage.
Prayer Points: Pray for believers in Turkmenistan who have suffered continuous persecution under the regime of Saparmurad Niyazov. Pray that God would blind the eyes of authorities as to the location of Christian worship services. Ask God to provide for the financial needs of those who have been fined.

Thanks for your prayers and action.
International Christian Concern

Posted:  May 30, 2003