persecuted church

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"Our ministry of intercession is made possible only because of Christ's continuing ministry of intercession." ~ Richard Foster

INDIA: Police Watch as Christians Suffer Mob Attack​ Source: International Christian Concern​ The entrance to a Hindu complex. Photo: Wikipedia / Ms. Sarah Welch ​ ​ As police officers stood by and watched, hundreds of people attacked 14 Christians in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on October 30th. The violent incident occurred after the victimized followers of Jesus refused to abandon their Christian faith, despite orders from tribal leaders to do so. Having been beaten with wooden rods by participating members of the volatile mob, the assaulted believers suffered various injuries in the aftermath of the attack, such as head trauma and broken bones. The perpetrators also demolished the Christians' homes and destroyed their harvested crops. Among the injured was the only police officer who attempted to intervene on behalf of the victims. It is unknown why the majority of the officers failed to fulfill their duty to protect these targeted citizens. Such violence against Christians is far too common in India, and mob attacks are often instigated by militant Hindu nationalists. For more reports concerning the suffering of our persecuted Christian family in India, go to our country profile. Pray for the complete recovery of those who were injured during this recent attack, asking the Lord to minister His healing touch upon each of these victims – both physically and emotionally. May He also divinely work within the hearts and minds of all the residents in this community, encouraging them to live peaceably together despite their religious differences. In addition, please intercede for India's governing authorities, praying that they will realize the importance of providing protection for all the country's citizens, and not only those with whom they agree. PAKISTAN: Vigilante Groups Orchestrate Online Blasphemy Cases​ Sources: Dawn, MSN, The Hindu, Morning Star News​ A protest against Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Photo: Wikipedia / Vivek Ravikumar (cc) ​ ​ While accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan are common and can be motivated by interpersonal conflicts or business disputes, there has been a notable increase in allegations based on social media posts. (To read previously published reports about Christians who have been charged with blasphemy, go to our country profile.) According to the research findings of the AFP news agency, many such cases are taking place as a result of organized "vigilante groups" led by lawyers and the support of volunteers scouring the Internet for offenders. In some cases, unsuspecting social media participants are duped by strangers into sharing content that could be deemed blasphemous, resulting in police reports being filed against them. For example, a man joined a WhatsApp group in search of a job. He was contacted by a woman who sent him objectionable images. When he confronted her, she denied sending the images and asked him to forward them to her – falsely stating that by doing so, she would then know what he was talking about. After sending her the images, he was the one accused of sharing blasphemous content. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) states that there are groups working to "witch-hunt" people, sometimes fabricating evidence due to "vested agendas." Pakistan's National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) reports that, as of July 25th, a total of 767 people accused of blasphemy were being detained in jails across the country; compared to 213 in 2023, and 64 in 2022. The reasons why these vigilante groups are involved tend to vary. One police report suggests that some of the accusers are motivated by financial gains. A group known as the Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan proudly reports that they are prosecuting more than 300 cases, believing that their "God has chosen them for this noble cause." Sharaz Ahman Farooqi, who leads the group, was the complainant in a case that led to the conviction of a Christian woman named Shagufta Kiran this past September. (More details on her case are available here.) Another group has been responsible for the eventual conviction of 27 people over the past three years. For those who are found guilty, convictions of blasphemy carry a mandatory life imprisonment or death sentence. In its report on the situation, the NCHR is calling for a "comprehensive review" of the roles and accountability of both government and private entities. In addition to concerns over the startling increase of false accusations, the growing number of cases has led to severe overcrowding in prison areas that are reserved for those accused of blasphemy. Pray that Pakistan's governing leaders would respond appropriately by taking necessary action against the members of "vigilante groups" whose aim is to destroy the lives of fellow citizens by accusing them of blasphemy. For those of our Christian family who are presently contending with such allegations, please pray that they will receive greatly needed legal assistance and advocacy so their cases could be justly rejected or overturned. Also remember the many believers who have been imprisoned over the years, asking the Lord to likewise provide them and their loved ones the protection, strength, encouragement and hope that's needed each day so they can stand firm in their faith and thus testify of His sustaining power and grace. SUDAN: Displaced Christians Driven From Their Homes​ Sources: Morning Star News, SPLM-N​ A group of people in Sudan. Photo: Wikipedia / Nina R (cc) ​ ​ Residents of the Al-Makniya area of Sudan's River Nile state drove 34 displaced Christians from their homes on October 19th. Those responsible for the displacement explained that they did not want any Christians nor black people in the area. The recently expelled Christians had previously fled conflict in Omdurman, a city located near the capital of Khartoum, before seeking shelter in the Al-Makniya area. According to one of the affected believers, some of the local residents falsely accused the Christian refugees of stealing livestock and "violating public morals." However, police later confirmed that the hostility towards the believers was religiously motivated and had nothing to do with those accusations. Initially, about 30 people from the neighbourhood approached the Christians, asking them to leave. When that did not work, the opposing villagers returned with more supporters. Some days later, when the Christian refugees were approached for a third time, the majority of originating Al-Makniya community members rallied together against them. Given only three days to vacate the area, the refugees were forced to leave on October 19th without any help or protection from the authorities. Some of the displaced believers have since moved on to the city of Sendi, while others returned to Omdurman, despite the ongoing violence there. "We are currently in a very bad humanitarian situation, as we have lost our shelter," reported one of the exiled Christians. With concerns for the welfare of the children, women and elderly among them, the believer spoke of another major setback to their survival: "We have lost our livelihoods [which helped to] provide for our basic daily needs." For further reports addressing the various challenges encountered by our Christian family in Sudan, go to our country profile. During this time of uncertainty, please pray that the Lord will meet the urgent needs of our displaced Sudanese brothers and sisters in Christ who have once again been forced to uproot their families and restart their lives in a different part of this war-torn nation. Ask God to provide these precious believers divine protection and strength, as well as the wisdom and guidance they need to determine what steps to take next. As they seek His direction, and endeavour to live honourably for Him, may they not only find physical refuge in a safe and welcoming location, but also spiritual refuge and solace in the reassuring presence and provision of their Heavenly Father – powerful reminders of His steadfast love for them.