Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin - No. 248 - Wed 26 Nov 2003

WELCOME to the 97 intercessors who have joined the list this month.

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DURING NOVEMBER WE HAVE PRAYED ABOUT -

TURKEY: Yakup Cindilli, who was severely beaten for distributing Christian literature in his Turkish hometown, remains unconscious in hospital. His doctor said there was 'tiny, daily improvement'. Please pray for Yakup's recovery and his faith. Three ultranationalists were arrested for the attack on Yakup. During the 18 November hearing, some 1000 right-wing ultranationalists protested outside the courthouse. According to Turkish media, that social pressure led to the release of one of the attackers. The next hearing will be on the 17 December. The Alo Dua prayer hotline, staffed by local Turkish Christians, has been threatened and warned about greater protests.

Compass Direct reports that the pastor of the Bursa Protestant Church where Cindilli sometimes worshiped has called for a special day of prayer and fasting on 17 December. He is urging fellow Turkish Christians to pray for Cindilli's complete recovery, and for a just court ruling on his case to send a clear message that sectarian violence will not be tolerated. Let's pray in solidarity with our Turkish brothers and sisters. 'My prayer for all of them is that they will be one.' (Jesus, John 17:21)

INDONESIA - CENTRAL SULAWESI: where the situation remains volatile. Poso has been placed on 'Alert 1' until the New Year. Pray that the machinations of those who profit from conflict will be exposed and that these evil men will be dealt with according to the law, so that the people of Central Sulawesi can have the peace they long for.

MORE ISSUES DURING NOVEMBER ---------------------------

CHINA: ZHANG DETAINED AND BEATEN FOR SUBVERSIVE THOUGHT

In RLP 240 we reported the 26 September arrest of Zhang Yi-nan, a significant Chinese Church historian. In early November, Zhang was sentenced to two years' laojia - 're-education through labour'. He is charged with 'subverting the Chinese government and socialist order' and accused of subversive thought, based on evidence found in his personal prayer journal. On Monday 12 November, on his first day in the laojiao camp, Zhang was severely beaten by other inmates at the behest of prison guards who said this was 'Lesson One'. A sympathetic prison official told Voice of the Martyrs, 'Zhang Yi-nan is a strong man, but he was terribly beaten.' Please uphold this brother in your prayers, praying for his protection and release. Another prominent House Church Christian, Dr Xu Yong-hai, was arrested on 9 November. Dr Xu's wife (who was also arrested then later released) reports that Dr. Xu is accused of espionage regarding national secrets.

ERITREA: MORE EVANGELICALS ARRESTED

Compass Direct reports that, on 23 November, Eritrean police jailed Protestant evangelical Pastor Iyob of the Kale Hiwot Church in the town of Mendefera, along with seven of his church members. Compass has also confirmed that ten young women from various Pentecostal churches were also arrested recently. They are incarcerated at Sawa, a military training camp. Currently at least 334 evangelical believers are imprisoned for their religious beliefs in nine known locations across Eritrea. Their suffering is severe as authorities use isolation and torture to try and coerce them into renouncing their faith. Pray for their faith to remain strong, for their release, and for the government to change its policy of persecution.

IVORY COAST: ON THE VERGE OF CONFLICT

The Ivory Coast rebels were due to start disarming on 1 August. However, they refused to act until President Gbagbo appointed two more cabinet minsters. Gbagbo received a list of four names from Prime Minister Diarra from which he was to choose two. Gbagbo did that in late September, but then the more militant rebels objected to his choices. This became their excuse to split from their colleagues, withdraw from the government of national unity and resume their threat of war. On 18 November the rebels 'rolled out a massive display of heavy weapons in Bouake'. If they succeed in their aims (either militarily or constitutionally), then Ivory Coast will become majority Muslim and the future for this free and once prosperous nation will be quite different. Pray that God will intervene and protect this nation that has been a launching place for mission in West and North Africa.

PAPUA: ON THE VERGE OF CONFLICT

In recent weeks the Indonesian government has violated Papua's autonomy by dividing it into three provinces, against the will of the Papuan people. The two resource-rich provinces will be majority Muslim. The Papuans have now lost control of two-thirds of their land, including all its major mineral resources. It is now only a matter of time before Papua is completely Islamised and dominated by Javanese Muslims. Even more concerning are reports that the military are trying to provoke conflict so they can justify a full scale military assault on the Papuans, close off the land to the outside world, and take control of it for the purpose of plundering resources. More than 90% of indigenous Papuans are Christians, mostly Protestant. Their future is precarious and looking bleak. Please pray for God's merciful intervention.

NIGERIA: CHURCHES TORCHED IN JIGAWA

About three weeks ago, in the town of Kazaure, Jigawa State, a Christian girl being taunted by Muslims allegedly responded with blasphemy against Islam. Angry Muslims confronted the school and were not satisfied with the school's response. On Tuesday evening 18 November, when the Muslims attempting to invade the school were repelled by police, they rampaged through the town. Thirteen churches were torched, with many houses and 54 shops belonging to Christians attacked and looted. However, there were no deaths. Surveying the charred remains of his Deeper Life Ministry premises, Pentecostal pastor Uche Ugiri said, 'There were 12 churches here. None was spared.' Pray for the Christians of Northern Nigeria and for wisdom and strength for the federal government of President Obasanjo (a committed Christian).

SUDAN: PEACE TALKS RESUME SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER

The Sudanese peace talks are set to resume in Kenya on 30 November, with the expectation of a comprehensive peace deal being reached by 31 December. Pray that nothing will hinder the path to peace. (Ephesians 6:11,12; Proverbs 21:1)

EGYPT: NO NEWS OF JAILED CHRISTIANS

There is no word on the fate of the imprisoned Christians (see October Update). Please continue to pray for Egypt's Christians as Islamic zeal rises and some 1000 Islamic militants recently released from prison, with social hostility towards Christians also apparently rising again.

'All power is HIS forever and ever.' 1 Peter 5:11

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Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.

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