PRAYER POINTS, JANUARY 31, 2004
“...in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger...” (II Cor 6:4-5)

SRI LANKA
Christians are now under severe attack in Sri Lanka, with churches being vandalized and burned.  In the latest attack on Jan 27, a mob of about 20 men smashed statues and firebombed a Catholic church in Mattegoda.  Also in January, militant Buddhists led hundreds of Sri Lankans to prevent a deceased Christian from being buried at a public cemetery.  The police were powerless to help. -  Strong intercession from U. S. intercessors may have prevented a planned all-out attack on all Christians and all Christian churches on January 25.  Several churches have already been pressured successfully to close.

Pray for Sri Lankan President Chandrika to be convicted and bold to take action against anti-Christian violence.  Pray, too, that the Sri Lankan Christians will be able to forgive – but will witness many miracles of God’s protection. 

 INDONESIA:
Islamic militants have again stepped up attacks against Christians throughout this island nation.  35 Christians have been murdered in the last few months on the island of Sulawesi; Moslem fundamentalists have recently forced the closing of many churches and Christian meeting places in the Jakarta region, in one case even carrying petrol to threaten burning if the church was not closed.  In January alone, Moslems attacked at least 5 churches in East and West Java and North Sumatra, including bombing.  The pastors of these churches received death threats.  Mosque leaders stirred up community protests against another church’s renovations, despite government approval, and they succeeded in pressuring the local government to suspend the work.

Militant Islamic plans are to take over control of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim nations, Islamicizing these populations.  Pray strongly for God’s intervention to destroy the demonic foundations of Islam, opening the eyes of the blind to the truth, and setting these deceived millions free to know life with a loving God.  Intercede specifically for Indonesia, with the largest Moslem population in the world.  Pray that the Christians there would be given a great stirring to press into God and see His mighty Hand move on their behalf.  Pray that the plan of Satan to Islamicize Indonesia and Southeast Asia would be thwarted and completely disabled – and that our mighty God would instead show His glory over all of this area.

VIETNAM:
Police raids and arrests of Christians remain common at the thousands of underground “house churches” throughout Vietnam.  The government requires all pastors of officially approved churches to support government policies, so they can use the churches as propaganda machines. -  In the central highlands, 6 Montagnard Christians have recently been arrested, brutally tortured and imprisoned for their faith.  More are in hiding, with whole villages living in fear.  The Vietnamese government has ignored requests for international human rights monitors to visit the central highlands to investigate these atrocities and report on how international aid monies are being used. -  The trial of Rev Bui Van Ba, arrested after a home meeting in August 2003, has been postponed, due to international publicity.  Prayer is needed for the upcoming trial which could be at anytime.

LAOS:
Pressure against Laotian Christians to renounce their faith in Jesus has escalated greatly in January.  Forcing believers to dig pits for their own graves and warning they will be “beaten to death with your own farm tools”, high officials of several provinces are openly violating the Laotian constitution which stipulates religious freedom.

Pray, in the Name of Jesus, that the spirit of fear and intimidation would be broken over God’s people in Vietnam and Laos, and that the strongholds of wickedness and control would be broken over the countries’ leaders, opening the heavens for God’s blessings to flow into these nations.  Ask our mighty God to move international leaders to confront the atrocities and corruption in Vietnam and Laos.  Specifically ask that the unjust charges against Rev Van Ba will be dropped.

NORTH KOREA:
China continues to arrest refugees from the horrific regime of No. Korea.  Currently a Japanese humanitarian aid worker and 2 No. Korean refugees are being held in a Chinese prison in Guangxi.  A 10 year prison sentence is being considered for Takayaki Noguchi, and without a miracle, the two refugees will be sent back to suffer horrible consequences.  Officials from the UN High Commissioners for Refugees (UNHCR) have been banned from traveling to the Chinese-North Korean border where they could assist refugees.  (Washington Post, Jan 27, 2004)

 Pray for miracles – safety and refuge for these two North Korean refugees, and the release of Mr. Noguchi.  Pray for sufficient pressure on China by international leaders to force a policy change in their treatment of North Korean refugees.  Most of all, ask God to bring down the present government of North Korea, soon, and replace it with just leadership.  May the scattered, hidden believers of North Korea receive fresh revelation and comfort from our awesome God, just as Jesus appeared to the disciples gathered in a locked room after His crucifixion.

INDIA:
In January, Hindu fundamentalists organized thousands to protest and attack Christians and Catholic institutions and places of worship in the Diocese of Jhabua.   “Shameful, anti-Christian” posters have been displayed all over the city, encouraging more violence.  Bhopal Chief Minister Uma Bharti stated on Jan 21 that conversion to Christianity would not be tolerated! – In another area, 6 Gospel for Asia missionaries were recently beaten by anti-Christian fundamentalists because of their preaching.  In the Hospital they expressed their joy “in being counted worthy to suffer for Christ.” - A militant Hindu group is planning a film honoring Dara Singh, the convicted murderer of Australian missionary, Graham Staines and his 2 sons.  “For us, Staines was nothing less than a villain,” stated a militant Hindu leader.

Pray for a mighty outpouring of God’s Spirit on the Indian Christians during this time of persecution...that they will pray and move by God’s direction, not in their own strength.  Pray quick recovery and greater joy and passion for Jesus, for those who have been persecuted and beaten.  Pray for a strong move of God among the militant Hindus, who live with no eternal hope.

PAKISTAN:
Despite the hopeful news of recent arrests and convictions of extremists who have bombed and murdered Christians in Pakistan, there continue to be bombings and kidnappings.  A car bomb exploded outside the Karachi Bible Society on Jan. 15, injuring 10-15 people.  Zeeshan Gill, a 16 yr old Christian in Sargodha, was kidnapped for 2 weeks in November, beaten and forced to recite the Islamic creed.  Now under threat of death, he and his mother are hiding somewhere in Pakistan.  Shamin Kausor, 14 yrs old, was abducted from her village at gunpoint for the 2^nd time on Dec 31.  The police will not help, and her family is distraught.  Her Moslem abductors have told her she will become a Moslem and bear a Moslem child. – In another development, Shahzad “Gora” Masih, 23, from the Lahore region, was charged with blasphemy and beaten into a coma and paralyzed by a former neighbor who carried a grudge against him.

Storm the heavens for the release and restoration of Shamin, for the safety of Zeeshan and his family, and for the quick and complete recovery of Shahzad Masih and the Karachi bomb victims.  Pray for justice in these cases!  Intercede for the salvation of Pakistan, and especially for strength and righteous governing by President Musharraf despite pressure from Islamic militants.  Speak destruction and powerlessness – by the Blood of Jesus – to the Islamic principalities controlling this area of the world.  Loose blessing, order, stability and security to this land and new life for the Christians of Pakistan.

UZBEKISTAN and TURKMENISTAN:
New religious decrees in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are now forcing Christian churches to re-register, to pay exorbitant fees for registration, and in many cases the governments are barring or denying registration, even though the churches and ministries have been serving for many years.  In Turkmenistan only Sunni Muslim and Russian Orthodox communities have gained registration.

Call down the power of God on Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, to convict wicked leaders of His power and authority.  Pray that faith will rise in believers in these countries, causing the gospel to spread and the enemies of God to be in awe of Him.  Lord, give Your people the strategies to enable them to keep worshiping, fellowshipping and ministering.

TURKEY:
Pray for a miracle of life for Turkish Christian Yakup Cindilli, beaten into a coma 3 months ago, for distributing New Testaments and “doing missionary work”.  His assailants, apparently members of the right wing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), were released by a Turkish court on January 15, while Yakup remains in a semi-vegetative state.

“Lord, give Yakup’s family and friends the grace to forgive and cry out for the salvation of Yakup’s attackers and the courts which released them.  What Satan has meant for evil, You must turn to good!  You can do this, Almighty God!  (Deut 32:35)  Pour out Your life into Yakup, fully restoring him, for Your glory!”

 NIGERIA:
Incredible application of shari’ah law in northern Nigeria has seen at least 23 Christian women arraigned in Islamic courts, with charges ranging from non-compliance with the Moslem dress code to prostitution.  According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), “a woman not married, irrespective of her religious background, is seen by Muslim enforcers of the sharia as a prostitute.”  In Bauchi state, 8 women were arrested for being unmarried, then fined and given 10 lashes.  More religious conflict is expected in Nigeria.

Nothing escapes the eyes of the Lord.  Lord, avenge Your people.  Protect the innocent and destroy the power of the wicked.  Do not allow young women in Nigeria to be forced to marry before it is Your time and choice.  Bring shame to these Islamic regimes.

FRANCE:
Islamists in France are planning to transform this country into the first Islamist regime of the West.  France currently has the largest Moslem population in Europe.  The militant Wahhabi version of Islam is widespread, and the notorious anti-Semitism violence in France has reportedly been triggered by Moslems.  Non-Moslem teachers in France are now subject to daily insults and racist remarks from Moslem children.  “Anyway, the Arabs are going to kill the Christians and the Jews,” one high school student yelled to his teacher, quoting his imam.

Pray for France!!  Lord, wake up the Christians in France!  Shake them to see what is happening in their nation!  Show them how to rise up in the authority given them through Jesus’ victory...speaking up to their leaders, pulling down strongholds, lifting Jesus up as the Savior of France, giving Him glory through their lives and worship.  Lord, have mercy on France, and turn this current threat around to accomplish Your purposes!