Religious Liberty Prayer List – No. 205 – Wed 05 Feb 2003

————————————- D R CONGO: CHURCH SUFFERING INTENSELY [plus two urgent extra items] ————————————-

This RLP departs slightly from the norm, as it does not involve a religious liberty issue. It is however a suffering church situation that is so severe and so hidden that the WEA RL Prayer ministry is greatly burdened to highlight it for your urgent intercession.

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Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) is abundantly blessed with rivers, rainforest, agricultural potential and vast energy and mineral resources, including oil, copper and diamonds. Congo could be Africa’s richest nation if it were not torn to shreds and reduced to poverty by corrupt dictators, war, and greedy plunderers.

Many turned to Christ during the 20th century and the Christian proportion of Congo’s population rose from 1.4% to over 95%. Though suffering greatly, the Church emerges today as the only viable, credible national structure, providing education, health care and leadership. The suffering has created a hunger for God and a revival of prayer. Large numbers of Pygmy people have come to Christ. Congo has unfettered religious freedom, many Bible schools and several significant theological colleges. Congolese church- planters are moving out with the gospel. Mission continues despite the many dangers.

But what is currently happening in Congo is beyond imagination and can only be described as demonic. The atrocities being committed are beyond description in their extreme cruelty, savagery and inhumanity. One story that emerged in September 2002 was of Christian Congolese and expatriate medical missionaries leading some 900 patients through 170km of dense jungle on foot for a week after their hospital in Nyankunde was attacked. Some 1000 were massacred at this major Christian centre in the northeast, with the principal chaplain at the Evangelical Medical Centre reportedly being cruelly and savagely murdered. To reporters, it was a miracle that those who survived the massacre also survived the jungle trek.

Silvano Ruaro, an Italian priest who has served in Congo for 33 years, once thought things could not get worse, but now they have, with the “unbelievable things” he’s seen. He says, “It’s like a very dark painting, and then you look closely and there are bits which are even darker.” Cannibalism, butchery, executions, systematic rape, torture and kidnapping are used as weapons of war against civilian Congolese men, women and children. UN spokeswoman Patricia Tome says, “These armed groups are composed of freaks, and these freaks are out of control.” The extent to which these “freaks” are “out of control” and the Church is suffering, indicates an insidious demonic persecution. The Church in Congo needs our prayers. Ephesians 6:12,18

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* protection for all Christians in Congo, that nominal Christians will come and cling to Christ in a new and meaningful way and that faithful believers will remain strong and faithful.

* spiritual, emotional and physical healing for those who have suffered terror; may broken hearts and bodies be healed and may they know the peace of God that passes understanding. (Phil 4:7)

* demonic powers persecuting the Church to be bound and rendered powerless by the mighty, authoritative will of Christ, “who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.” 1 Pet 3:22 NIV

* peace to prevail in Congo, with foreign rebels removed and criminals brought to justice.

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ———————————————————— CHURCH SUFFERS INTENSELY IN D R CONGO

D R Congo could be Africa’s richest nation if it were not shredded by war. Great suffering has created a hunger for God and a revival of prayer in a country where last century the Christian proportion of the population rose from 1.4% to over 95%. Today there is complete religious freedom, and mission continues despite indescribably cruel, savage and inhumane atrocities. Cannibalism, butchery, executions, systematic rape, torture and kidnapping are used as weapons of war against civilian Congolese men, women and children. A UN spokesperson has described the armed rebels as “freaks” who are “out of control”. The Church is really the only viable, credible national structure surviving in Congo, providing education, health care and community leadership. The Church is suffering intensely from what is really demonic persecution. They need our prayers.

*** EXTRA – URGENT PRAYER NEEDS:

* The trial of Rev. Renaldy Damanik commenced in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Monday 3 February. It was adjourned until 10 February. This notable Christian leader was arrested on manifestly fabricated charges last September. Pray for justice.

* Islamic rebels in Ivory Coast are blaming their lack of success so far on the prayers of Christians. Therefore they are threatening to target Christian leaders, especially those who have worked amongst Ivory Coast’s Muslims. Urgent interecession is requested. Ephesians 6:12

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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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