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Religious Liberty Prayer List – No. 194 – Tue 05 Nov 2002

———————————————————— INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER (IDOP) FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH Sunday 10 or 17 November 2002 See http://www.idop.org ————————————————————

A primary purpose of IDOP is for the largest prayer meeting in the world to come before the all-powerful ruler of the Universe and, with one voice, appeal for justice, mercy, strength and victory for Christ’s persecuted Church.

In bringing these requests before him, we remember that he is not only the all-powerful ruler of the Universe, he is also the compassionate, loving Father of all who profess Jesus as Saviour. He is as overflowing in love, compassion and mercy as he is overwhelming in majesty, power and glory. He is as pure in righteousness as he is devoted to justice. His hands are so big, strong and awesome they can grasp and move a nation, while his finger is so delicate and gentle it can touch the soul of an individual. He can save and he can judge. He can release and he can bind. The one to whom we bring our requests knows no restricted access and no limits. His generosity is only confined in accordance with his infinite wisdom.

So — stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere (Ephesians 6:18). Gaze upon God’s power and glory (Psalm 63:2), lift up your hands to him in prayer (v4) and pray with expectation (Psalm 5:3), for nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

Please avail yourselves of a double page of ‘Critical Prayer Requests for Strategic Nations’ on the <http://www.idop.org> website, or e-mail <> for ‘CPR’. This special IDOP RLP 194 is to update that list with prayer needs that did not exist when the IDOP resource material was published.

Remember – persecution is more than an abuse of human rights – persecution is spiritual warfare. Persecution is Satan’s way of putting a prohibitively high price on Christ’s free gift of salvation. Persecution is Satan’s attempt to erect a bulwark against the amazing harvest of God. Let us, believers of every tribe, language, people and nation, enter this spiritual battle through prayer, united as one body. This has always been the desire of our Lord. (John 17:20-23)

– Elizabeth Kendal

———————————————- FURTHER CRITICAL PRAYER REQUESTS FOR IDOP 2002 ———————————————-

BELARUS

For the nation:

* that Belarusians will be drawn to the gospel of Jesus Christ, in spite of all President Lukashenko’s efforts to suppress and control religion by signing the oppressive new religion law.

* for the law to be repealed as an unacceptable infringement of basic human rights. The law is a reversal of Perestroika (openness) and returns Belarus to Soviet era repression.

For the Church:

* that the unity amongst evangelicals, made strong through the prayer and religious freedom advocacy campaigns, will remain strong as the Church re-enters a time of oppression.

INDIA, TAMIL NADU STATE

Religious conversion will effectively be illegal and punishable under an ordinance passed by the Tamil Nadu State on 5 October.

We pray that:

* God will give his witnesses in Tamil Nadu abundant courage, so that the ordinance will not suppress the saving gospel and multitudes of Indians will continue to come to Christ.

* the law will be repealed and not become a precedent for other Indian states.

IVORY COAST

For the nation:

* for wisdom and wise counsel, courage and strength of conviction for President Laurent Gbagbo as he seeks peace and reconciliation for his divided nation.

* for a commitment on both sides of the conflict to peaceful dialogue and reconciliation, along with respect for life and freedom.

* that the Muslims of Ivory Coast will not be hijacked into the schemes of radical militant Islam. May many be disenchanted by the uprising and be open to the gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit.

For the Church:

* In spite of the increased tensions between the faiths and ethnic groups, that the Church will remain committed to peace and to the evangelisation of Muslims, as the gospel is the only way of salvation and holds the key to reconciliation.

LIBYA

An Islamic republic where religious freedom is severely restricted: pray for justice and for the government to be willing to accept the existence of a Christian minority and grant them freedom to meet together for worship.

SRI LANKA

For the nation:

* that God will grant Sri Lankan political leaders the wisdom and strength to resist Buddhist pressure for a Buddhist nationalism that would restrict religious freedom and ban religious conversions.

For the Church:

* that God will protect his servants as they minister, teach and evangelise in an increasingly hostile environment, restoring and blessing those who have already suffered the effects of violent opposition and persecution.

* that the Sri Lankan Church will grow in grace, faith and numbers.

TURKEY

An Islamic political party has swept to power with enough seats to govern in its own right, a swing that could be a sign of rising Islamic fervour in Turkey. Pray that freedom will not be diminished.

—————————————————- Previous RLPs may be viewed at http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/ If you downloaded this message from a website or it was forwarded to you, you may receive future editions by sending an empty e-mail to <>

Please send this RLP to others, with attribution to World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Religious Liberty Prayer List <> —————————————————-

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.