The earthquake in Turkey and Syria has left a traumatised community where agencies such as Global Christian Relief is partnering with local churches to provide aid and hope. The result of the Nigerian presidential election has further imperilled Christians in that country. There was a global day of prayer for Burma – Myanmar – on 12 March. Islamic violence in Burkina Faso has resulted in more than a million internally displaced people who are struggling to survive.In Indonesia, Christian teachers are being thrown in prison.
Turkey and Syria
Relief efforts are critical. Since 28 February, St George Church has fed around 5,000 people per day. They have also distributed blankets, rations, water, tents, hygiene kits and much more with the help from supporters worldwide.
These prayer points have been put together by churches:
- The weather has been unseasonably cold and families need permanent shelters with heaters.
- Tent camps are experiencing the spread of diseases – pray that these will not spread and for healing of those affected.
- Pray that the government would make every effort to help rebuild homes and treat survivors justly.
- Pray for the collective trauma of the communities – that God would indeed be an ever present help in time of trouble.
- Relief efforts seem to be dwindling – pray that supporters will not get weary of offering help.
Nigeria has a Muslim president
On Wednesday 1 March, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission announced that Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) had won the presidential election with 37 percent of the vote.
According to Nigeria’s constitution, a winning candidate does not need a majority of the vote to win. Tinubu ran on a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The election had the lowest voter turnout in Nigeria’s history. This can be attributed to naira and petrol scarcities in the weeks leading to the poll. Also there were reports of violence and voter suppression in many parts of the country, as well as delays in actual voting. Maybe more people tried to vote than were able.
Two other candidates – Christian candidate Peter Obi (Labour) and Atiku Abubakar (PDP) – will contest the results in court. Tensions are running high.
Prayer is needed – that any corruption, ballot box stealing and violence will be exposed in court. State governors and politicians will be elected later in March and we ask God for favour for Peter Obi’s party, since state governments are responsible for transport, education and health.
Myanmar
Myanmar – Burma – is today suffering a Christian crisis of monumental proportions. To crush all resistance, the military junta has resorted to a strategy known as the ‘Three Alls’. It is a military campaign to ‘burn all, kill all, loot all’.
The expectation is that eventually the civilian populations will break, and pressure the resistance essentially to surrender and broker a deal with the junta. Over the last 6 months of 2022, 78% of the junta’s attacks targeted civilians. Increasingly the military is resorting to bombing and strafing villages from the air.
Millions are displaced without access to humanitarian aid. Across the country, churches have been bombed and mined, while senior Christian leaders have been arrested. In townships under martial law, gatherings of more than five are not permitted. Please pray.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a secular state whose constitution guarantees that individuals can choose, practise or change their religion at will. In reality, a military coup in January pushed aside the president and Islamic militancy is being established.
Christians are often caught in the crossfire between extremist groups. Jihadists have increased their forces and the intensity of their violent attacks by burning churches, abducting Christian women and children, raiding villages and targeting pastors.
There are more than 1 million internally displaced people from Islamic violence. These believers are struggling to find shelter, food, clothing and medicine. The future of the church in Burkina Faso hinges on the power of God and the strength and resilience of believers who face unthinkable challenges. Please pray.
Indonesia – Christian apologists jailed
In August 2021 Muhammad Kece – former Muslim scholar, now Christian apologist – was arrested in West Java and charged with blasphemy over his YouTube channel. He was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in jail (reduced to six years on appeal).
On 6 November 2022 a young Christian YouTuber named Rudi Simamora was arrested in Medan, North Sumatra, and charged with blasphemy for his YouTube channel. He was sentence on 23 February to one year in jail.
On 6 December 2022 police arrested Gratia Pello and charged him with blasphemy for his YouTube channel. Pello (40) – a Coptic Orthodox theologian and apologist with an extensive knowledge of Biblical theology, Eastern Christianity, Arabic language and Islam – taught at Nusantara Bible School in Malang, East Java. Nothing has been heard of Pello since his arrest.
Hebrews chapter 13, verse 3 encourages us to Remember those who are in prison, as though in person with them, and those who are mistreated, since you are also in the body.
Let us pray for these parts of the Body of Christ throughout the world – Lord, have mercy.