PRAYER POINTS

JUNE 25, 2004

China: 100 Evangelical Leaders Arrested as China Launches Major Crackdown

Over 100 evangelical church leaders from Hubei province were arrested in early June after the Communist government issued a "secret directive" to launch a massive crackdown against religious groups and to promote Atheism through a new media campaign.  Preceding these arrests a special meeting was held "calling every level of the Chinese government and the Party to crack down" against “illegal religious activities.”  Praise God for bringing 100 of His workers into the prison to share the Gospel with those whose souls would otherwise have perished.  Pray that the witness of the 100 leaders will bring a flood of prisoners and guards into the kingdom of God.  Pray for the leaders to have enduring strength during this period, for God’s Spirit to empower them, and for their early release.

Sudan: Christian Woman Beaten in Khartoum in mid June and Fined Under New Law

27-year old Cecilia Holland was arrested for not wearing a headscarf in public.  Eleven other women had also been arrested for a similar offense. After a night at the police station, Cecilia was taken to Sizana Islamic Court where Muslim policemen testified against her. "She was not allowed to speak in her own defense.”  The Islamic court declared Cecilia guilty and sentenced her to 40 lashes on the back and fined her 10,000 dinars, about $38, and the equivalent to one third of her monthly salary. She was released that afternoon after being whipped and paying the fine.  Pray that Sudan will stop applying the Shari’a law in cases involving non-Muslims.  Pray for healing for Cecilia and the other women, and that God will provide the money they lost in paying the fine.  Pray that God will strengthen the church in Sudan.

 Sri Lanka: Cabinet Approves Bill Prohibiting Religious Conversion

The Sri Lankan Cabinet has approved a bill to prevent conversion of Buddhists to other religions, and the Bill will now be presented to Parliament.  This Act stipulates that no person shall convert nor attempt to convert another to a different religion.  Attacks against a local church began just one day after the government announced the approval.  A mob led by monks vandalized the church and threatened the Pastor's daughters.  The Police placed a guard at the church, but attacks continue.  No arrests have been made, and the Pastor was forced to make a public declaration that he will stop holding meetings at the Church.  Pray that Parliament will reject the bill and that it will not become a law.  Pray that the police will protect Christians from further attacks.  Pray that the church can continue to meet without further harassment.

Iraq: Christians Attacked and Denied Aid

Masked men opened fire on Assyrians on their way to and from work in the Christian Assyrian Quarters in Baghdad.  Eight locals were killed and several others seriously wounded.  Not only are attacks prevalent among Assyrian Christians, but aid is not being distributed to them.  International aid is mainly distributed through regional, and therefore Muslim, leaders, and seldom, if ever, does it reach the Assyrians Christians.  Pray for God’s protection on the lives of the Christians in Iraq.  Pray that the Christians in Iraq will be free to worship God once the country is returned to Iraqi control.  Pray that the Christians in Iraq will be included in the distribution of aid as other citizens.