KAZAKHSTAN
There is growing intolerance of Protestant Christians, some Muslim groups and other religious bodies. President Nazarbayev has spoken against missionary activities and is considering tightening existing religion law to curb what he regards as “religious extremism”. There will most likely be more persecution of religious bodies that are not approved by the government, including many Protestant churches.
Prayer for the situation in the country is urgently needed. Thank God for the tremendous growth of the Kazakhstan Church after the collapse of the Communist regime and for the growing unity of the churches. Pray for continued religious freedom and that the anticipated changes in the Law on Religion will not cause more restriction on worship, evangelism, discipleship and social work done by the churches. Pray that the authorities will have wisdom and understanding and may distinguish between the positive effects of missionary activities and actual religious extremism.
ARAB LEAGUE
The Arab Information Ministers met in Cairo in February and adopted a charter to control satellite TV content. Qatar and Lebanon were the only Arab states that did not sign. The charter requires that satellite broadcasting not offend the leaders or national and religious symbols in the Arab world, and not damage social harmony, national unity, public order or traditional values. It must conform to the religious and ethical values of Arab society, taking into account its religions, prophets, sects and symbols, as well as protect Arab identity from the harmful effects of globalisation. Most Arab-language Christian satellite content is broadcast into the Arab world from outside. However, most of the Christian content is produced in Arab countries.
Please pray for wisdom for those involved in producing Christian films, that they will know how to continue their ministry without getting entangled in the new requirements.
CHINA
China’s ruling Communist Party has long been planning to use the Beijing Olympics to market China to the world. In Chinese folklore, the number 8 is the luckiest number and its character rhymes with the Chinese character for wealth. So the games are scheduled to open on 8-8-08 at 8.08pm. While China struggles to contain internal strife and deflect criticism, our prayer for China is not for luck or wealth, but that God in his generous and gracious mercy and providence will make 2008 the year the Chinese government awakens to the reality of the Church being not one of its problems but integral to the solution. In solidarity with the Chinese Church, religious liberty groups have jointly called for global concerted prayer for China leading up to the Olympics, that 2008 might be a year of great spiritual blessing for the Chinese Church and for China.
Pray for God to use the Beijing Olympics for his purposes; for the Church in China to be filled with the Spirit of grace and love to advance Christian unity and sacrificial love for their country, and be blessed with divine wisdom and courage to advance powerful, godly witness and servant-leadership; that all who have been unjustly imprisoned for their beliefs and peaceful expressions will be released.
SRI LANKA
Ethnic and religious tensions have grown again in Sri Lanka over the past two years as hostilities between Tamil separatists and the Sinhalese-dominated government have escalated. The Church bridges the Tamil-Sinhalese divide and is therefore targeted by extremist militants from both sides. The war, which officially resumed in mid-January 2008, gives Buddhist nationalists a perfect opportunity to attack the Church under the cover of the prevailing chaos, and even blame the Tamil separatists.
Christians have been the targets of several appalling violent attacks in recent weeks. In Ampara on Feb 17, Pr Neil Edirisinghe, 37, was fatally shot in a contract killing, while his wife Shiromi, 31, was critically wounded.
Please pray for peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Pray that He will raise up Sri Lankan voices for justice, rights, equality and peace, at every level – local, district and national – in the Church, media and politics. Pray His ever-present Holy Spirit will bring healing and peace to Shiromi Edirisinghe and all other believers who are now bearing on their bodies the marks of Jesus (Gal. 6:17). Pray God will work amidst this suffering, sanctifying the Sri Lankan Church, cultivating prayerfulness, strengthening faith and building community.
IRAQ
Arcchbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, 65, of the Chaldean Church in Mosul was kidnapped by Islamic terrorists after an Easter celebration in Mosul’s Holy Spirit Cathedral. His three companions/bodyguards were murdered during the ambush. Archbishop Rahho’s body was found on March 13, buried in a shallow grave. According to the kidnappers, Archbishop Rahho was very sick and he died the day he was kidnapped (Feb. 29). This was a very deliberate and symbolic attack and while the terrorists might think they have removed the church’s head, they have not. May the Holy Spirit fix the eyes of all Mosul’s Christians on the Church’s true head – the risen, living Christ (Ephesians 4:15,16). Pray that God will raise up new leaders, great faith and fresh hope among Iraq’s besieged Christian remnant.
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