Barnabas Prayer Focus HOPE AND AID FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH Prayer Focus Update Number 259 May 2018 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21) A monthly resource for individuals and prayer groups produced by Barnabas Fund. For more information visit www.barnabasfund.org
Pakistan Christians killed in two Quetta shootings Prayer Focus Update Number 259 May 2018 2 Christians have been targeted and killed in two separate terror attacks in the Pakistani city of Quetta. Two Christians died and four others were seriously injured on Sunday 15 April when attackers on motorbikes opened fire on worshippers leaving a church service. One of those killed was Rahib Khalid, whose family are recipients of a food programme financed by Barnabas Fund. Islamic State (IS) later claimed responsibility. It follows an attack on Easter Monday, 2 April, when armed men on a motorcycle shot and killed four Christians. Christians in Quetta were previously attacked at a pre- Christmas service at Bethel Memorial Methodist Church on 17 December, when nine people were killed and more than 50 injured. Some Pakistani Christians see the most recent Quetta attack, on 15 April, as possible retaliation by Muslim extremists for Western military action in Syria on 13 April. Christians are a despised minority in Pakistan, discriminated against by most of the Muslim majority. Pray for Christians in Quetta and throughout Pakistan who are facing violence and terror attacks. Remember especially the family of Rahib Khalid, whose father suffers from paralysis, all those who have lost loved ones, and those who are suffering because of injuries. Pray that they will know that nothing can separate them from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-37). Ask that, despite the threat of attack, Christians will find strength in the Lord who is always with them (Psalm 23:4).
Pakistan Pakistani hospital staff killed Christian who stood up for pregnant sister Staff and doctors at a hospital in Lahore beat to death a Christian man who stood up for his pregnant sister after staff discriminated against her. Ms Kiran Saleem visited the hospital in Lahore on 26 March to see a gynaecologist, but the female doctor on duty asked a nurse to see the pregnant Christian woman. Kiran insisted she wanted to be seen by a doctor. During the ensuing argument, the female doctor reportedly slapped Kiran. Kiran s three brothers Sunil, Johnson and Anil who visited her at the hospital, reported the incident to a local news channel, but were then threatened by hospital security guards. They began to beat the Christian men, aided by at least three doctors. Sunil sustained critical injuries and was admitted to the hospital but later died. Police registered an initial report of the murder, which names several doctors and security staff at the hospital, but at the time of writing no arrests have been made. Lift up Sunil s loved ones in your prayers. Ask for God s protection for the whole family, including Sunil s sister Kiran, and his brothers Johnson and Anil, who were also beaten. Pray that they will know that the Lord is their refuge and their fortress and will cover them with his feathers (Psalm 91: 2-4). Pray that Sunil s murder will be properly investigated and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Prayer Focus Update Number 259 May 2018 3
Pakistan Appeal date announcement pending for Aasia Bibi Prayer Focus Update Number 259 May 2018 The Chief Justice of Pakistan announced on 21 April that a date for Aasia Bibi s Supreme Court appeal against the death penalty will be announced soon. The Christian mother has been in prison since 2009 and was sentenced to death in 2010 for blasphemy. She had been found guilty of insulting Muhammad, following an argument with Muslim fellow workers who refused to drink water she had carried. Her family, now in hiding because they are in danger of being murdered, receives practical assistance from Barnabas Fund. Pray that the hearing will be soon, that Aasia s appeal will be successful, that there will be no violence, and that she will be freed. 4
Algeria Christian jailed for Facebook blasphemy in Algeria released Slimane Bouhafs, an Algerian Christian convert who was jailed for three years for blasphemy in 2016, has been released from prison. In July 2016, Bouhafs posted on Facebook that, Jesus overcomes the lies of Islam, an expression of faith which led to his imprisonment on a charge of offending the Prophet [meaning Muhammad] and denigrating the creed and precepts of Islam. His three-year sentence was reduced following an appeal in July 2017, when Bouhafs lawyers appealed for a presidential pardon on health grounds. While in prison, the 51-year-old was attacked by fellow inmates, after defending his Christian beliefs following a prison sermon in which the imam incited hatred towards Christians. He was subsequently transferred twice to other jails in Algeria before his release. Christianity in Algeria was strong in the early Church, but was eliminated by the advance of Islam. It has been re-established in recent generations by conversions from Islam. Although leaving Islam is not a criminal offence, those who evangelise Muslims risk a five-year jail sentence. Thank the Lord for answered prayer, for the release of Slimane from prison, and for giving him the strength and courage to remain true to his faith, despite being attacked by other inmates. For I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10). Pray that Slimane and his family will be kept safe, and that he will be able to enjoy his freedom after enduring two years of persecution and suffering. Prayer Focus Update Number 259 May 2018 5
China China blocks online Bible sales in the step up of government religious control Prayer Focus Update Number 259 May 2018 6 Chinese Christians report that Bibles, already banned from physical bookstores, are now disappearing from online retailer websites. Amazon and JD.com say that they have been warned against the sale of Bibles as an illegal publication. Online searches for Bible have dropped to zero since 1 April, according to local news sources, raising fears of an increase in repressive internet censorship targeting religious freedom. These developments follow the release of a government White Paper on religion, rolling out policies of sinicisation (i.e. making Chinese), which seeks to reinterpret Christianity and selectively interpret Scripture. The printing and distribution of Bibles has been allowed in China since the early 1980s, following the end of the Cultural Revolution, but only for internal distribution by church bookstores for purchase by members of state-registered churches. Over time, high street and online stores began to sell Bibles too, with the authorities occasionally cracking down on physical shops, and now apparently on online retailers. The Communist Chinese government officially admits the existence of around 22 million Christians, although the real number may be as many as 100 million. Believers face tight restrictions including on Christian literature and websites and those who are part of unregistered congregations risk arrest, torture and imprisonment. Lift up in prayer our Christian brothers and sisters in China. Remember all those who are hungry for God s
Word who are being denied access to a Bible or Scripture due to the imposed restrictions. Pray that their faith may grow in spite of the hardships, and that the apparent block on online Bible sales will end, so that God s Word will be freely available to those who seek it. Brunei Brunei government signs off on next stage of sharia Brunei is set to roll out the next stage of its planned implementation of full sharia (Islamic law), after the Islamic Religious Council and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah signed off the measure. In 2014, the Brunei government announced the phased introduction of a penal code based on sharia law. Implementation of the second phase, which was delayed, now looks set to lead to the inclusion of hudud penalties, such as amputation for theft, while a third phase could eventually lead to stoning for adultery and the death penalty for apostasy from Islam. Pray for the situation in Brunei. Ask the Lord Jesus to strengthen Christians in their faith and protect them, above all taking the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16), as the government brings in the second phase of sharia law, and potentially the death penalty for apostasy in future. Pray for all minorities and people affected by the measures. Ask the Lord to touch the hearts of the law makers, so that the process might be halted and the situation in the country improve. Prayer Focus Update Number 259 May 2018 7
Barnabas Fund provides practical aid for persecuted Christians in over 60 different countries. United Kingdom 9 Priory Row, Coventry, CV1 5EX, UK Tel: 024 7623 1923 Fax: 024 7683 4718 From outside the UK: Tel: +44 24 7623 1923 Fax: +44 24 7683 4718 Email info@barnabasfund.org Australia PO BOX 3527 Loganholme, QLD 4129 Tel: 07 3806 1076 or 1300 365 799 Fax: 07 3806 4076 Email bfaustralia@barnabasfund.org USA 6731 Curran Street, McLean VA 22106 Tel: (703) 288 1681 or toll-free 1-866-936-2525 Fax: (703) 288-1682 Email usa@barnabasaid.org New Zealand PO Box 27 6018, Manukau City, Auckland, 2241 Tel: 09 280 4385 or 0800 008 805 Email office@barnabasfund.org.nz Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland PO Box 354, Bangor, BT20 9EQ Telephone 028 91 455 246 or 07867 854604 Email ireland@barnabasfund.org Published by Barnabas Aid Inc. 6731 Curran St, McLean, Virginia 22101, USA Barnabas Fund 2017 www.barnabasfund.org