Philippines: Bombing wounds 11 at Christmas Mass
A bomb exploded during Christmas Day Mass at a chapel inside a police camp in the volatile southern Philippines, wounding a priest and 10 churchgoers. The device was hidden in a ventilation window near the ceiling of the chapel, which is on the compound where the provincial police office is located in Jolo town on Jolo Island, Sulu provincial police said. The island is a stronghold of al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants, but it wasn't clear who was responsible for the bombing. Investigators recovered parts of a cell phone they believe detonated the device. All of the wounded were civilians. One woman remained at a hospital for observation on Saturday, but police said one did not need hospital treatment and the others had been treated and sent home. The Philippines is predominantly Catholic, but Christians are a minority on Jolo and nearby island provinces that are majority Muslim. Pray: that God would intervene and bring His peace and unity to the people of Jolo and Mindanao. (1Sa.10:6) More: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/dec/25/bombing-wounds-11-christmas-mass-philippines/
Nigeria: Christmas violence death toll rises to 80
The death toll for the Christmas Eve bombings in central Nigeria and the Christian-Muslim clash that ensued has risen to at least 80 people. Police initially said 32 people were killed in the coordinated bomb explosions in Jos on Christmas Eve. The latest death toll includes those killed in the connected conflict between Muslim and Christian youths on Sunday in central Nigeria. Another 100 people were wounded and are in the hospital. On Christmas Eve, two bombs exploded near a busy market where people were Christmas shopping in Jos, the capital of Plateau state. Another blast occurred in a predominantly Christian neighbourhood and a fourth bomb exploded near a road leading to the main mosque in Jos. Sectarian violence is nothing new to residents of Jos, who earlier this year endured a massacre that left more than 500 people dead. Jos lies in the middle of Nigeria, where the Muslim north meets the mainly Christian south. Pray: for the people of Nigeria that God would break through and bring peace to this divided nation.And for grace and wisdom for Archbishop Ben Kwashi as a peacemaker. (Mt.12:25) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/nigeria.christmas.violence.death.toll.rises.to.80/27298.htm
USA: Government inaction on asylum seekers
They came to the USA seeking protection from persecution in their home country but have been caught up in what some are calling an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ situation. In one case a young man from South Sudan trying for years to get permanent residence in the USA was denied sanctuary because of his possible ties to a terrorist organization. The tie is the time he was held at a Sudanese rebel army's training camp for a month after being abducted as a child. He escaped and resettled in the U.S. but his case remains on hold. Human rights groups argue provisions in immigration are overly broad. Others who have been placed in the terrorist category include doctors who assisted the wounded and were unaware that the patients were terrorists and women who were forced to feed terrorists at the threat of their lives. Pray: that the United States continues to be a beacon of freedom and hope for those seeking asylum. (Lev.19:15)
Israel: Children forgoing meals due to economic status
More than half of the country’s children living below the poverty line went without at least one meal a day over the past year due to their families’ economic difficulties. Based on data collected from more than 100 food aid charities countrywide and on in-depth interviews with individuals and families living below the poverty line, the organization’s Alternative Poverty Report for 2010 shows 55% of the estimated 850,300 children in this category had to forgo a nutritious meal every day because of their families’ economic status. This is an increase of 38% over the previous year. During the past 10 years poverty has significantly increased; more than 15,000 families joined the ranks of the poor in 2009, and overall 435,100 families – 1,774,800 Israelis – lived below the poverty line in 2009. For those living below the poverty line recession or economic growth makes little difference in their troubled lives, the poor are abandoned and neglected. Pray: for the gap between rich and poor to decrease and for the poor in Israel to have a voice. (Ex.23:6) More: http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=200513
Vietnam: Authorities stop Protestant Christmas events
In a central government crackdown on Protestant Christianity in Vietnam, hundreds of Christians from 10 northern provinces were locked out of a Christmas celebration due to take place on December 19th when police locked the doors and sent them away. Some of the deeply disappointed Christians began singing and praying in front of the building. Police moved in, striking some with fists and night sticks in the melee that followed. Video clips of the action were posted online by Monday Dec. 20th. Christian leaders calmed the crowd, which eventually left, but not before at least six people – including the Rev. Nguyen Huu Bao, the scheduled speaker - were arrested. Similar incidents occurred on Dec.19 in at least four other places throughout the country. As Christmas Day approaches, it appears the 400,000 Protestants in unregistered churches will be denied celebrating together. Pray: for those beaten and wounded to know God's comfort and healing and for officials to see Christians in a positive light and no threat to their authority. (Is.9:6) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/vietnam/30101
Iran: Pastor facing death sentence
Youcef Nadarkhani, a father of two and an Iranian pastor was arrested in October 2009 after he objected to the teaching of Islam to Christian children in schools and he has been held in prison ever since and sentenced to death for apostasy - even though this is not a crime under the country's penal code. His wife Fatemeh Passandideh was arrested in June 2010, and sentenced to life in prison. But praise God she was released on appeal in October. Youcef was born to Muslim parents and accepted no religion before becoming a Christian aged 19. His case is seen as part of a growing campaign against Christians involved in the house church movement in Iran. The pastor will become the first person in 20 years to be executed for apostasy in Iran unless the sentence is overturned. Pray: for the international community to pressurise the Iranian judiciary to uphold its own law and set Youcef free. (Ps.36:6) More: https://barnabasfund.org/UK/News/News-analysis/Pastor-facing-death-sentence-in-Iran.html
Sudan: January 9 referendum vote
The UN is preparing for a possible 2.8 million displaced people if fighting breaks out over southern Sudan's independence referendum. In two weeks voters in the south decide whether to remain with the Khartoum-based north, or more likely, to secede and create the world's newest country. Tensions are high over the vote. Aircraft from the Islamic northern Sudanese military have bombed areas in the Christian south or near disputed north-south borders in recent weeks. The UN report said both the northern and southern militaries had been rearming and many southerners possessed guns and light weapons. In a ‘vision’ statement posted on the internet, the Muslim Brotherhood of Sudan said allowing South Sudan to be independent was a crime. They vowed to punish Christians if this takes place. The people are worried that whatever the referendum results a civil war could be ignited. If the South remains part of Sudan the voting accuracy will be questioned. Pray: against rigging of votes, a peaceful outcome and for Christians to have no fear for the future. (Ps.112:7)
Egypt attempts to convict Christian to justify Muslim riots
The high profile criminal trial of 21-year-old Christian Girgis Baroumi accused of sexually assaulting a Muslim girl, is viewed by the Christian community as an example of the Egyptian government, Attorney General, Interior Minister and Parliament Speaker using him as a scapegoat to justify Muslim assaults on Christians in 2009. On December 13th the criminal court witnessed another stormy session when Baroumi's defence team withdrew from the trial in protest over the court's rejection of several requests vital to prove the defendant's innocence. The prosecution is using religious language during the proceedings saying, ‘those who cause sectarian strife ought to be killed or crucified'. Pray: for religious discrimination in the criminal justice system of Egypt to be removed. (Ps.11:7) More: ttp://english.freecopts.net/english//index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=1172&Itemid=9
INSIGHT: Egypt: Christian’s life on hold
An Egyptian who left Islam to become a Christian and consequently lost his wife, children and business is waiting to see if the government will now take away his freedom for ‘defaming’ Islam. Ashraf Thabet, 45, is charged with defaming a revealed religion. The charges stem from Thabet’s six-year search for spiritual meaning that eventually led him to become a Christian. During his search he shared his doubts about Islam and told others what he was learning about Jesus Christ. Local religious authorities, incensed at Thabet’s ideas, notified Egypt’s State Security Intelligence service, and he was arrested and charged with defamation. If found guilty he would face up to five years in jail. But because prosecutors have made no move to try the case, Thabet lives in limbo and is subject to a regular barrage of death threats from his community in northeast Egypt. Read the full story at For insights to aid prayer for Egyptian Christians click the 'info' button. Pray: for God’s purposes for Thabet to be fulfilled as He comforts, directs and protects him. (Ps.119:86)
Afghanistan: Authorities block lawyer from visiting Christian
A Christian in Afghanistan facing ‘apostasy’ charges punishable by death is still without legal representation after authorities blocked a Christian lawyer's attempt to visit him in prison. Authorities denied him access to Musa and to his indictment file. After several court hearing postponements, Musa appeared before a judge ‘shackled and chained’ on Nov. 27th without prior notice. The judge sent Musa's case file to the attorney general's office for corrections. Another Afghan Christian is in prison for giving a New Testament to a man who reportedly turned him in to authorities. He is in a holding jail in northern Afghanistan. See link for background to these stories. More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/23987/28442/