Berita NECF Newletters

Looking Out, Looking Up

Description: North Korea / China / Algeria / Iran / Syria

Looking Out, Looking Up

NORTH KOREA

On 15 April, the country observed the "Day of the Sun", the 100th birthday of North Korea's founder, the late Kim Il-Sung. This nationwide event required all North Koreans to participate in ostentatious displays of reverence and loyalty to Kim, who is exalted as god-like. On such an occasion, huge statues of the "Great Leader" are usually displayed across the country. Citizens are obliged to bow down to his image and to display portraits of him in their homes. Christians in North Korea feel that outwardly, they must participate in the celebrations to avoid arrest. Those who have refused to "worship" Kim have ended up in labour camps. To ensure compliance, North Korean authorities hold indoctrination meetings and force people to attend. "It is very difficult to speak our minds, even to our friends and family. There is a good chance we will be arrested if we speak freely," a local church pastor reported.

PRAY - for the day when North Koreans will be able to worship and exercise their conscience freely. Pray for the difficulties all North Koreans face under an oppressive regime. Pray that Christians will remain fervent and have continuous, fresh encounters with God. Pray that they will have access to His word and teaching. - OD

 

CHINA

The China Aid Association reports that the government has started a campaign to close Protestant house churches that do not register with the official state church over the next 10 years. Local authorities are to survey and record intelligence on house churches nationwide. These churches would then be asked to register with the only government-approved church, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, failing which they will be closed down. This strategy was released in a government document in Sept 2011 during a training class run by the government authority on religious affairs. This development comes on the heels of ongoing persecution of the Shouwang Church in Beijing, whose members have been arrested for holding outdoor meetings after the church failed to find a venue for meetings after its lease of a hall was terminated.

PRAY - for true religious freedom in China and that the government, which has embraced modernity and progress on so many other fronts, will be released of its fears and paranoia. Pray that Christians in China will bring tremendous blessing to their countrymen and the authorities as a testimony of the Living God. Pray for the house churches that they will remain faithful under persecution and harrassment. - CD

 

ALGERIA

A new Bible translation in the native Kabyle language has allowed many more people to read and share God's Word here. Before this, French was used but this put older believers at a disadvantage because they did not speak French. Local ministry workers say that the Kabyle translation is the answer to a long-standing prayer for the Word to be available in the local language.

PRAY - for God's word to minister to people's hearts and to transform lives. Praise God that the Bible is finally available in the people's own language. Remember the ongoing ministry of Bible translation in many other languages, that challenges in translation will be surmounted and that such work will bring fruit and a great harvest. - VOM

 

IRAN

The lawyer of imprisoned pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for "violating national security and spreading propaganda against the regime". The lawyer, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah is well-known in Iran for defending death-row cases and was the only lawyer willing to take up Pastor Youcef's appeal. Youcef was convicted of apostasy and of proselytizing in 2009 but his death sentence has been delayed, presumably due to international pressure piled on by religious watch groups. With Mohammad Ali facing jail, Youcef will likely find it very hard to get another lawyer and will be at greater risk without an advocate.

PRAY – for God's mercy upon Youcef’s life and comfort and protection for his family. Pray that with continuing international pressure, his conviction and death sentence will be overturned. Thank God for lawyers like Mohammad Ali who take great risks to defend freedom and justice. Pray for an intervention into his situation so that he need not be imprisoned. - BP, CP

 

SYRIA

Caught in the crossfire between government forces and civilian and army defectors, many Syrian Christians are reportedly considering fleeing the country. They fear that an overthrow of the current Bashar al-Assad government, despite his brutal crackdown on civilians, would strengthen Islamist powers as was the case in Egypt and Tunisia after people's uprisings there. Protracted fighting, meanwhile, puts lives at risk, making any venture outside in the open a risky undertaking. The United Nations estimates that more than 9,000 people have been killed so far since the revolt first started in early 2011. Besides fighting between the government and civilians, Christians in some areas also say they are being targeted by Muslim militant groups. Christians comprise about 10% of Syria's population and their freedom of worship has generally been protected under Assad’s government. A parliamentary election held on 7 May 2012 was declared a farce by activists and boycotted by the opposition.

PRAY – for God's mercy on Syria and for an end to the fighting. Pray that there will be genuine desire for peace and that all parties will be willing to abide by a ceasefire and come to the negotiating table. The major world powers are also split on support and condemnation of Syria, so pray for international resolve to stop the fighting. Pray for Syrian Christians faced with tough decisions to make about whether to stay put or flee. Pray that God will work in the conflict-ridden Arab world to fulfill His purposes. -CP



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