Somalia: Strictly Islamic state
Somali cities are chaotic yet functional. There’s a working public transport, brisk market business, electricity and running water - but people get shot as a normal part of daily life. No one takes notice anymore. They simply wait for the bodies to be cleared then quickly resume business. Armed violence is common; it’s used to deal with disagreements and generally ends in death. Many more deaths follow when the deceased’s fellow gang members retaliate. The hardest part to understand is the fact that ‘human life has lost its value’. It is astounding that there is a Church in Somalia - when believers embrace Christ they embrace martyrdom - prepared to pay the price for their faith. It is too dangerous for believers to meet openly in this strictly Islamic state. Al-Shabaab target converts to Christianity and eliminate them. Aid workers, Christian or otherwise, require tight security due to the risk of abduction.
tPray: hat al-Shabab’s influence will diminish, for Christian radio programmes to bring hope to isolated believers and for more tolerance towards Christians. (Ps.32:7)
More: http://www.worldwatchlist.us/world-watch-list-countries/somalia/
Azerbaijan: Christians under increasing pressure
Tough regulations have made it difficult for churches to complete necessary registration. The process is ‘mired in bureaucracy’ and applications are often refused. State opposition has become the ‘biggest obstacle’ facing churches in Azerbaijan today. Recently 30 police officers visited a pastor's home and told him it was illegal to spread the teachings of Jesus in Azerbaijan, despite religious freedom being guaranteed in the constitution. He was told he would be spared prison if he ceased working as an evangelist. The pastor refused and was jailed for 18 months - accused of keeping weapons. Another pastor explained, ‘They are afraid that if people become Christians they would prefer the interests of Russia over those of Azerbaijan.’ Head of the Baptist Union of Azerbaijan said, ‘At any moment the pastor of a church can be imprisoned.’ Despite this the church in Azerbaijan is growing with an estimated 10,000 members.
Pray: for God to raise up people to defend the rights of believers, for Christians to come together without fear of government, police, security services or extremists. (Ps.12:5&7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/azerbaijan.christians.under.increasing.pressure/31593.htm
North Korea: Captured defectors punishment has intensified
The number of Christians in North Korea is unknown. They either hide their faith or face terrible consequences. People have been executed for owning a Bible. Many Christians are sent to concentration camps as ‘political prisoners’ and subjected to torture, abuse, execution or simply worked to death. A reliable source reports that ‘the new young leader Kin Jong Un views the underground Christian church as a source of resistance to his untested leadership, and is repressing Christians even more severely than his father. Another source reports, ‘10% of North Korean Christians who escape to South Korea and return to China to work in Christian ministry are kidnapped from China by underground North Korean State Security and taken to North Korea, tortured for information, and killed.’
Pray: for protection and endurance for the brave underground church living under these extreme conditions, for God to have mercy on Kim Jong Un and change his heart towards defectors in their bid for freedom of speech and beliefs. (Ps.3:8)
More: http://www.releaseinternational.org/media/download_gallery/RELEASE%20MAG%2071%20linked.pdf
NIGERIA: North Korean doctors and evangelists killed
Boko Haram killed three North Korean doctors in the latest attack on health workers. The deaths on Saturday night come after gunmen killed at least nine women administering polio vaccines in Kano. Some believe Boko Haram are picking soft targets in its campaign of shootings and bombings across the country. The North Korean doctors had lived in the state since 2005 as part of a medical programme. They were attacked inside their home (which had no security guards; they also travelled without police escort). When soldiers arrived at the house they found two of the men had their throats slit, the other was decapitated. Also Church of the Brethren Newsline reported 15 people killed and 8 sustaining gunshot wounds in an attack on a church at the beginning of the month. The church building and the pastor’s office were burned down, along with some houses belonging to Christians.
Pray: against Boko Haram - whose name means ‘western education is sacrilege,’ pray for Christians working in Nigeria’s health systems, pray also for the families of the deceased. (Ps.2:1-2,12b)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/10/south-korea-doctors-nigeria-killed
