Religious Liberty Prayer List – No. 221 – Wed 28 May 2003

WELCOME to the 16 intercessors who have joined the list this month.

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‘Carry each others’ burdens, and in this way you fulfil the law of Christ.’ Galatians 6:2 NIV

‘By sharing our difficulties they become smaller; by sharing our joy, it grows.’ Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Hong Kong (Dec 2002).

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DURING MAY WE HAVE PRAYED CONCERNING –

SERBIA: (RLP 218) where some parts of the population, influenced by a politically motivated radical nationalism, are harassing and persecuting religious minorities, particularly Seventh Day Adventists. Evangelicals are also at risk in this climate. Persist in prayer for national spiritual healing, and for guidance and strength for Serbia’s new leaders.

UGANDA: (RLP 219) where a blasphemous, terrorist cult-militia, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), goes on terrorising the largely Christian population of Northern Uganda. The latest attempt at a ceasefire (March 2003) fell through on 2 May. Children are the primary victims, and the Church, active as a peace-broker, is struggling to meet the needs of so many victims. The LRA leader, Joseph Kony, is a spirit medium. Pray for God’s intervention.

INDONESIA: (RLP 220) where Christians in the town of Bekasi, outside Jakarta, are facing increased persecution from Islamic groups. We prayed too for the trial of Rev. Renaldy Damanik.

Damanik’s imprisonment to 23 May should be the last allowed by Indonesian criminal law. Yet, for no good reason, it has been extended once again to 23 June. Jubilee Campaign’s Parliamentary Officer, Wilfred Wong, says, ‘The framework of lies set up against Rev. Damanik is clearly disintegrating, yet amazingly the judges still seem uncertain as to whether to acquit him even though it is obvious that acquittal is both the moral and professional thing to do.’ Wong and Damanik both lament that it is difficult for Christians to get justice in Indonesia. Damanik says he is prepared to go to prison as long as the truth (of persecution and jihad) is revealed and peace is re-established in Poso. We will pray for truth, peace and justice.

MORE ISSUES DURING MAY – ————————

NIGERIA: URGENT – VIOLENCE THREATENED ON 29 MAY

Olusegun Obasanjo will be sworn in as Nigeria’s elected President on 29 May. Defeated Islamist presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is calling for ‘mass action’ and for local authorities and international governments not to recognise Obasanjo as President. Buhari has threatened there will no government from 30 May, even calling for Obasanjo to receive the ‘Kennedy and Ghandi treatment’ (assassination). Nigeria’s Police Chief, Inspector General Tafa Balogun, says plots have been uncovered that involved the training of youths to stir up strife and carry out bomb attacks. Muslim, Christian and secular leaders all across Nigeria are exhorting Buhari to accept defeat, preserve democracy, and not threaten the peace and stability of Nigeria. God has graciously answered our prayers for Nigeria thus far – pray for a peaceful inauguration on Thursday 29 May and a peaceful future.

CONGO: CHURCH SUFFERS THROUGH CONFLICT

Appalling tribal violence has broken out once again in Bunia, in the Ituri region of northeast Congo. As Operation World notes, the Church is really the only national structure to survive the collapse of Congo, and it plays a vital role in nation building. Most schools, clinics and hospitals are church-run. In early April, 996 civilians were massacred in Bunia. More died when the fighting resumed there in mid May. Action by Churches Together (ACT) reports that over 22,500 internally displaced people had been registered just in Beni territory, south of Bunia. Amidst the suffering, the Church in Congo has grown strong and there is much prayer.

LAOS: SEVERE PERSECUTION

Christians in Laos continue to suffer under their government’s campaign to ‘eliminate Christianity’. Christian families in Attapue Province were recently ordered to leave their homes or be burned out. According to Christian Aid, the police chief and local officials in the village of Kang ordered Christians (who had already been cut off from food and water) to leave their homes by 28 April. Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that on 29 April, local authorities entered the parsonage of a church in Kengkok village and evicted the three families living there. The local authorities have acquired both the church and the parsonage. Church closures, acquisitions and demolitions, and the imprisonment of Christian leaders and evangelists is a continual reality in Laos, which remains as one of the world’s most severe abusers of religious liberty. Pray for the suffering believers of Laos.

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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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