Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, China, Indonesia, Laos, Pakistan, Sudan, Prayer Requests & Intercession for Persecuted Christians

Intercessor Report / Prayer Points

June 15, 2003

Praise Reports:

Bangladesh - A Gospel For Asia native missionary who was kidnapped by terrorists on May 19 was able to escape from his captors. 

Pakistan - A double life sentence against Aslam Masih was overturned by the Lahore High Court. Masih was imprisoned for over four years on charges of blasphemy. 

Saudi Arabia - Pastor Endeshaw Adane Yizengaw was released from prison and deported to Addis Ababa. 

Sudan - Rev. Samuel Dobai Amum was released from prison after local believers and an American delegation from Calvary Chapel (Santa Margarita, CA) raised enough money to officially purchase the land on which his church is built. A court had ordered the church destroyed unless the church purchased the land, which had been given to a city council member years after the church was built.

Prayer Needs:

China - Friends and relatives of imprisoned pastor Gong Shengliang were recently told by a prison insider that if they wanted to see Pastor Gong alive, they had better do something immediately. Gong has reportedly been beaten for refusing to deny his faith and is currently bed-ridden, having slipped into a coma on several occasions. He is also passing blood in his urine and stools. Pastor Gong, head of the banned South China Church, was originally sentenced to death in December of 2001 but later had the sentence reduced to life in prison. He is imprisoned at the Jingzhou Prison in Hubei Province. 
Prayer Points: Pray that prison officials would be ashamed of themselves and get immediate medical attention for Pastor Gong. Ask the Lord to heal both Gong's physical and spiritual wounds. Pray that Gong could be a witness for his Lord, even in his weakened condition.

Indonesia - On June 16, a Poso court sentenced Rev. Rinaldy Damanik to three years imprisonment for the possession of illegal weapons. The court's verdict glossed over blatantly contradictory testimonies given by "eyewitnesses" and downplayed police procedural errors. Damanik will appeal to the High Court. 
Prayer Points: Pray that the Poso court's ruling would be quickly overturned by the High Court. Pray that the Christian community would not become discouraged by the outcome of Damanik's trial and that peace would prevail. Ask God to bring to justice those who framed Damanik.

Laos - Christians in Laos continue to experience persecution. At least 20 Christians of the Bru ethnic minority were imprisoned in May. Five other Christians and their families have been forced to sign documents saying they will leave their village or face imprisonment. Eviction from homes and villages is a common punishment for Christians who refuse to recant their faith. 
Prayer Points: Pray that the Laotian church would continue to grow. Pray for boldness among the believers and the strength to stand for Christ in the face of adversity. Pray for the release of all believers being held for practicing their faith.

Pakistan - Legislation to implement Isalmic sharia law was recently passed by the parliament of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), which is controlled by the MMA, an Islamist political party. Meanwhile, President Pervez Musharraf has fired two senior officials in the NWFP following reports that the provincial authorities have failed to stop groups of Islamic vigilantes from attacking video shops and billboards in the name of eliminating obscenity. Christians in NWPF fear that they will come under increasing attack by Islamic radicals. 
Prayer Points: Pray that sharia law would be overturned and that people of all faiths could continue to worship without fear and intimidation in North West Frontier Province. Ask God to strengthen President Musharraf in his efforts to curb Islamic extremism.

Sudan - Government of Sudan forces attacked Longochok and nine other villages in Eastern Upper Nile on May 22. Armed government troops burned homes, killed at least 59 villagers, and took several women and children captive. Pastor Jacob Gadet Manyiel was burned to death in his home, and his wife and children were taken captive. These attacks occurred on the same day that Secretary of State Colin Powell met with the Sudanese Foreign Minister to discuss removing Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. It was later reported that two of Pastor Manyiel's sons (ages 4 and 6) and another young boy were killed at the regional military headquarters in Adar Yel. 
Prayer Points: Pray that attacks against Christians would cease. Ask the Lord to set free those taken captive during this raid as well as others who have been enslaved over the years. Pray that the US would not reward Sudan for its continued human rights and religious freedom abuses and that pressure would be brought to bear on the Khartoum government for its blatant disregard of the current cease-fire.

Thanks for your prayers and action.
International Christian Concern

Posted:  June 16, 2003