As we look forward to Christmas and all the celebrations, hopefully with family, let us not forget that there will be a lot of people around the world who can’t celebrate. Usually through no fault of their own, they may live in a repressive regime that prevents any celebration involving Christianity.
Or maybe they live in a ‘Christian’ country like Australia but are suffering from a gradual change of culture that in the name of ‘freedom of religion’, prevents Christians from expressing their beliefs.
Here are some snapshots of countries and situations that we need to bring before the throne of grace and ask for God’s mercy to be poured out.
Haiti – American missionaries held for ransom
Holding Christians for ransom seems to be the new past-time in Haiti. The latest atrocity is the abduction of 17 missionaries by the feared ‘400 Mawozo gang’ who have threatened to kill them if their demand for $1million ransom per person is not paid.
The missionaries, from Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries, were abducted with their Haitian driver after visiting an orphanage near Port-au-Prince. They are all believed to be still alive.
Please pray that Christian ministry and humanitarian aid may flourish to bless the oppressed with freedom, and that spiralling crime, economic and political crises can be addressed. Pray for protection of the captives and for law enforcement tasked with their rescue.
Afghanistan – continuing horror
Please remember the acutely endangered Christians of Afghanistan whose desperate, ongoing needs for prayer and provision will continue long after the media’s attention is diverted.
Reports of reprisals against anyone the Taliban suspects of collaboration with departed allied or government forces are horrific. Christians, other religious and ethnic minorities are extremely vulnerable to hunger and illness as well as Taliban brutality.
Please pray for these courageous Christians to hold fast to their faith in the Lord and for the Lord to bring them through these trials.
Armenia – oldest Christian communities
Artsakh is one of the world’s oldest Christian communities, threatened with genocide by Turkish and Azerbaijani forces. It desperately needs prayer for protection and survival.
The Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) was able to visit Armenia in September. Please pray that this visit will end the international isolation of Armenian Christians. Follow the link to read of many testimonies that can fuel your prayers.
Ethiopia – Christian crisis looms as rebels advance
On Sunday 7 November over one million Ethiopians came together in Addis Ababa to voice their support for the government of Prime Minister Abiy and to protest TPLF-OLA belligerence, foreign interference, US duplicity, and Western media bias. It was the largest demonstration in Ethiopia's history.
Smaller demonstrations also occurred in other major cities throughout the country. Meanwhile, the OLA continues its fight to sever the A2 highway, while the TPLF/TDF is fighting in Afar Region for the strategic town of Mille on the A1 highway.
Ethiopian forces are reportedly massing in Shewa Robit ahead of a counter-offensive. While it is highly doubtful the TPLF-OLA could capture Addis Ababa, let alone hold it, there is absolutely no doubt about how much destruction they are prepared to unleash and how much Ethiopian blood they are prepared to spill.
Please pray for the protection of the Ethiopians, particularly Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his government and the Church in Ethiopia.
Nigeria – Christian crisis in Kaduna
Christian leaders have called upon Nigerians not to forget the victims of Kaduna's Bethel Baptist High School abduction. Of the 121 children abducted on 5 July, four remain in captivity and there has been no word from their captors since 5 October.
Meanwhile, on Sunday morning 31 October, Fulani gunmen attacked Kaduna's Emmanuel Baptist Church, killing one believer, wounding another and abducting 66. The terrorists threatened to kill captives until the government agrees to talks.
On Saturday 6 November they opened fire, killing two hostages and critically wounding three. Unfortunately, negotiator Rev. Israel Akanji does not have the authority to grant the terrorists' request and President Buhari is currently out of the country. Both attacks occurred in southern Kaduna's Chikun Local Government Area, where Boko Haram is establishing its new base.
Please pray that God would grant Nigeria's Christian leaders great wisdom and discernment as they are forced to negotiate with terrorists while seeking help and solutions from state and federal officials. Lord in your mercy, guide and sustain them and deliver Kaduna from the evil which plagues it.
China – Christians imprisoned
The CCP continues totarget leaders of the underground church, routinely abducting them and subjecting them to a 10-15 day ‘thought transformation’ brainwashing process to coerce them to relinquish Christianity.
Bishop Shao Zhumin of the underground Catholic churchhas been abducted in yet another attempt to indoctrinate him and force him to join the CCP-controlled ‘official’ Catholic Church. Bishop Shao never gives in.
Despite the 2018 Sino-Vatican agreement on bishop appointments, priests and nuns faithful to Christ are harassed, monitored and detained. Impoverished Christians are pressured to renounce their faith to receive state aid.
Please pray that the Lord will bless, protect and sustain Bishop Shao, and all Christian captives; that they will ‘love their enemies’ by boldly preaching the Gospel to their captors and fellow-inmates, led by the Lord who promised: “… I will give you words and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” (Luke 21:15)
Please pray also that the Vatican will not enter into agreements with the treacherous CCP, and that Pope Francis will use his influence to defend persecuted Christians.
Australia – erosion of religious freedom
The Andrews Government has tabled the Equal Opportunity (Religious Exceptions) Amendment Bill 2021 to restrict who can be employed by Christian schools in Victoria. This means a Christian school may be required to hire staff who openly disagree with the school’s religious beliefs.
It is hypocritical for the Government to demand employment conditions on faith-based schools while exempting political parties. The major political parties demand the freedom to recruit staff according to their beliefs and values, a freedom protected by the Equal Opportunity Act.
Parents send their children to Christian schools because they want their children growing up and learning in a Christian community. The Andrews Government is determined to undermine parents’ choices and the distinctly Christian character and ethos of these schools.
Don’t pray simply for justice and equity to occur, but pray also that the forces of evil be bound to allow justice and equity to prevail.
Concluding prayer
O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; defend us your servants in all assaults of our enemies, that, surely trusting in your defense, we may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (The collect for peace in Morning Prayer, Thomas Cranmer, in the 1500s)