Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin – No. 242 – Wed 22 Oct 2003

****** PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN IDOP: 9/16 NOVEMBER 2003 ****** * The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church * * For resources and links to national websites – * * http://www.idop.org * *************************************************************

SRI LANKA: WORSHIPPERS VIOLENTLY ATTACKED

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Thanks to the tireless ministry of indigenous evangelists and church planters, the Sri Lankan Church is growing. However, the evangelical church is still a tiny minority in a land of burgeoning Buddhist nationalism. The frequency and severity of attacks against the Church has risen dramatically this year. Sri Lankan Christians and churches have suffered repeated ugly attacks in recent weeks. Dearth of justice is a serious issue. The perpetrators act with impunity. Thus there is little inducement to cease the lawless acts of religious hatred against Christians, and the violence is escalating.

On 16 September 2003, four women fencing their Assembly of God church property in Kotadeniyawa – Shyama, Indika, Sharmila and Pastor Ayesha – were abused and harassed by the Buddhist monk from the local temple. About 11 pm, some 30 men smashed the fence down. Asleep in a nearby house, the women were woken by the noise and went to see what was happening. The men then attacked them violently but were unable to rape them. Frustrated, they took the women to the police and accused them of being prostitutes. The police charged the women with prostitution and forced them to face court. Medical tests were used to clear them of the charge. Pastor Ayesha was hospitalised due to her injuries. The church was burnt on 23 September.

Reports received to date advise that the following churches also have been violently attacked in the past month, mostly during Sunday worship:

* Eternal Church in Kadawatha (350 believers): vandalised with burning tyres on 19 July; floor destroyed by fire in early September; later a local council member threatened the church; on 12 October the church was vandalised by a violent mob and the believers were assaulted.

* AOG in Kesbewa: torched, totally gutted on 25 Sep.

* Gethsemana Prayer Centre Church, in Marandagahamula: 28 Sep (95 families present); in Kandy: 5 Oct (160 believers present).

* AOG in Balapitiya: early Oct, threatened by 70 militant Buddhists.

* AOG in Embilipitiya: 12 Oct, Buddhist monks disrupted the service and threatened the believers.

* AOG in Vankalai: 5 & 12 Oct, some members beaten, death threats from Catholics.

* AOG in Ja-ela: 19 Oct, threatened by four Buddhist monks and a large mob from the Catholic Church.

* New Covenant Life Centre, Athurugiriya: 19 Oct, by a mob of 50 led by a Buddhist monk.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR

* healing for all those believers injured and terrorised by these attacks, that their faith will not fail, and the Holy Spirit will counsel and comfort them.

* the believers to have the Holy Spirit strength to repay evil with grace, and that their witness will be powerful and effective, even to the persecutors. ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ Romans 12:21

* the government of Sri Lanka to be deeply convicted that, for the sake of civil society, the rule of law must prevail, police reports acted on, justice dispensed and minorities protected.

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SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ———————————————————— WORSHIPPERS VIOLENTLY ATTACKED IN SRI LANKA

Several churches have been burnt in Sri Lanka and numerous others violently attacked over the past month, mostly during Sunday worship. In one attack on 16 September, four women working at the AOG church in Kotadeniyawa were violently assaulted. Unable to rape them, their frustrated attackers took the women to the police who then charged them with prostitution. Medical tests were used to clear the women of the charge. One of them, Pastor Ayesha, had to be hospitalised due to her injuries. Dearth of justice is a serious issue. The perpetrators of violence act with impunity. Thus there is little inducement to cease lawless acts of religious hatred against Christians, and the violence is escalating. Please pray that the believers will persevere, and bear a gracious testimony.

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EXTRA PRAYER REQUEST

* SUDAN: Sudan’s Vice President Ali Osman Taha and Southern Sudanese leader John Garang have joined the Sudan peace talks in Kenya. It has just been reported they have agreed to sign a comprehensive peace deal. Pray that nothing now will obstruct this path to peace. Pray that the will for peace, in the leaders and in the nation, will grow stronger and stronger.

SPECIAL NOTE

* RAMADAN: The Muslim month of fasting starts on 26 October. WEA RL Prayer ministry encourages all intercessors to take part in the 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus <http://www.30-days.net>. ‘Calling all Christians to pray for all Muslims.’

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The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.

Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.

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