Romans 12:14
The World Evangelical Alliance is a global ministry working with local churches around the world to join in common concern to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus in their communities. God is glorified and the nations of the earth are forever transformed.
The purpose of the WEA Religious Liberty Prayer Release is to keep you informed and mobilized in prayer and intercession for the needs of justice and religious liberty in the Church around the globe, so that we can stand together for the work of the Kingdom and the healing of the Nations. The Prayer Release is comprised on the basis of different credible Christian based resources.
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Brazilian missionaries detained on false charges, granted bail after 5 months in prison in SENEGAL
5 April, 2 Brazilian missionaries detained on false accusations in November 2012, were granted bail on 5 April after spending 5 months in prison in Senegal.
The missionaries, Jose Dilson and Zeneide Moreira who ran an orphanage for street children in Dakar were arrested on a false complaint made by a parent of a child, who was angered that his son had learnt from the Bible.
The missionaries were then imprisoned based on the accusation made by the parent that they had started an association to harm the children of Senegal.
Jose Dilson, a father of 2, has been a missionary in Africa for the past 22 years. Zeneide Moreira was the matron of the orphanage.
Prayer points:
- Pray that the missionaries will be exonerated of all charges;
- Pray that the missionaries would continue to put their trust in the LORD and be faithful to their calling;
- Pray for God's guidance upon the legal team handling the case.
Muslim mob attacks Christian neighbourhood in PAKISTAN
3 April, It is reported that 5 Christians were injured when a Muslim mob attacked a Christian neighbourhood in Gujranwala, Pakistan.
According to reports the mob also damaged a church and dozens of shops and vehicles.
The attack took place at the Francis Colony where at least 2000 Christian families reside. It is believed that a minor altercation between Christian youth and Muslim youth led to the attack.
Prayer points:
- Pray that God would heal those injured in the attack;
Pray for God's provision upon those who have lost their livelihoods;
Pray that Christians would not react violently to the attack but instead seek to be Christ-like in their response.
14 March, A court in Kazakhstan has ordered the destruction of confiscated religious literature owned by a Christian.
According to reports, 121 books including Bibles and other Christian literature were confiscated from Vyacheslay Cherkasov, a Baptist Christian.
Cherkasov was also fined a month's average wage. A Justice Ministry official told a media agency that "most likely the books would be burnt".
The country's Religion Law provides everyone the right to acquire and use religious literature. Nevertheless, religious literature is often confiscated in Kazakhstan.
It is believed that religious censorship in the country increased following the introduction of the controversial Religion Law in 2011.
Prayer points:
- Pray that God would strengthen Vyacheslay Cherkasov and make His presence known to him;
Pray that the confiscated Bibles and other Christian literature will not be destroyed;
Pray for the Church in Kazakhstan, that God would enable it to be faithful to Jesus' commission in spite of the restrictions;
- Pray that the government would not repress the freedom of religion in Kazakhstan.
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Matthew 5:10
The World Evangelical Alliance is a global ministry working with local churches around the world to join in common concern to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus in their communities. God is glorified and the nations of the earth are forever transformed.
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PRAYER ALERT
On 22 April, 2 bishops of Aleppo, Yohanna Ibrahim of theSyriac Orthodox Church and Boulos Yaziji of the Greek Orthodox Church were kidnapped by armed men, while travelling to the North of Aleppo. The driver of the vehicle, a Christian, was shot and killed in the incident.
According to reports, the 2 bishops were on a humanitarian trip as part of the negotiations to release 2 priests kidnapped in February 2013.
The 2 bishops were freed on 23 April.
Widow of slain Christian and a mother of 5 killed by Islamic extremists in SOMALIA
23 April, Al Shabaab militants have killed a widow of a Christian who was murdered for his faith last year.
On 13 April, Islamic militants shot dead, 42-year-old Fartun Omar, a mother of 5 in Beledweyne, Somalia.
According to reports the militants were searching for Fartun for several months because of her secret Christian faith. She was killed after being captured by the militants while fleeing the city.
On 8 December 2012, Omar's Husband, Siad was killed by gunmen outside his home for converting from Islam.
Prayer points:Imprisoned US Pastor, Saeed Abedini severely beaten at Evin prison in IRAN
15 April, It is reported that Saeed Abedini, the US pastor imprisoned in Iran has been severely beaten, denied proper healthcare and is experiencing fainting spells at the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran.
According to a report from the American Center for Law and Justice, pastor Abedini was severely beaten when prison officials took him to the hospital. Pastor Abedini's family said that his physical condition is deteriorating after seeing the scars left by the beating.
Pastor Saeed Abedini was detained last year and sentenced to 8 years in prison for "endangering national security". The real reason behind his sentence, however, is believed to be his Christian faith.
At Evin Prison, pastor Abedini has been threatened that he would not be released after 8 years unless he recants his faith.
Prayer points:
Pray that God would strengthen him to stand firm amidst the pressure to recant his faith
Pray that pastor Abedini will not let his heart be troubled but will put his trust in God
Pray that pastor Abedini will be released from prison
Pray that his family would experience Jesus' loving presence during this difficult time
Read more...
8 April, According to reports, anyone who shares their faith could be jailed under proposed new laws in Kazakhstan.
The General Prosecutors Office stated that the purpose of the proposed laws is to curb extremist activity in the country. Subsequent to government approval, the draft laws are expected to be presented before parliament in July 2013.
It is reported that the draft laws aims to make sharing one's faith - formerly an administrative offense punishable only by fine - a criminal offense that also includes corrective labour, community service or imprisonment up to 6 months.
Prayer points:
Read more...
Psalm 25:20-21
The World Evangelical Alliance is a global ministry working with local churches around the world to join in common concern to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus in their communities. God is glorified and the nations of the earth are forever transformed.
We are on Social Media!
Aleksei Shchedrov, 28, is facing criminal charges following police raids on his home in the Grodno region in February and April of this year. He is being investigated under, Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code which punishes, "organisation of or participation in activity by an unregistered political party, foundation, civil or religious organisation."
Aleksei set up the shelter in December 2011 and ever since has helped almost 100 people. He insists that he is running a charity and not a religious organisation.
Church torched, Christians attacked in Karnataka, INDIA
7 July, It is reported that Hindu extremists assaulted Christians and torched a church in Karnataka, India.
On 26 June, Hindu extremists attacked Zion church, assaulting its pastor and 5 other church members. The church was burnt down in the incident. According to reports, the attackers threatened to harm the Christians if they continued to hold worship meetings in the area.
"The extremists want to wipe us out from the village and told us that there is no other religion than Hinduism for us," said the pastor of Zion church in a report to the Evangelical Fellowship of India.
Karnataka is considered as the most dangerous state for Christians in India.
Prayer points:
Source: EFI Persecution news
26 June, It is reported that a pastor and his congregation were violently assaulted by a mob led by a Buddhist monk in Hanwella, Sri Lanka.
On 23 June, the pastor was attacked by a Buddhist monk who confronted him while out on a personal errand. The pastor fearing injuries fled to his church. However, there he found a mob of around 20 people who were gathered outside the church premises waiting for him. The pastor was then surrounded and attacked by the mob who falsely accused him of assaulting the monk. The mob also disrupted the worship service and assaulted Christians who were gathered at the church.
The pastor's 19 year-old son and his 3 year-old son were also injured in the incident.
According to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), there have been 45 incidents of Christian persecution between January and May this year. In 2012 there were 52 incidents of persecution.
Prayer points:
Source: NCEASL