Five days ago we sent you an email asking for prayer for Egyptian Christians who had been forced to flee their homes in North Sinai after Islamist militants launched a killing spree in the city of al-Arish.
We’ve now learnt from our partners who are supporting some of these believers that for about 200 of these families this was not the first time they had been forced to uproot and leave everything behind – simply because they were Christians. And there is little prospect of them returning.
Please continue to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters who have had to flee from North Sinai and who face a very uncertain future.
The families have reportedly taken refuge in various different locations and are waiting to be housed elsewhere. They are currently receiving help from local churches but they face a long hard road to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
Our partners told us the families need a great deal of prayer. ‘The amount of pain and sadness is unbelievable. There are lots of questions “Why? Why has God allowed this? Why did they kill my son? What will we do now?” and most of the time we do not have answers.’
UPDATES
Pakistan: We’re pleased to report that our brother Babu Shahbaz has been released from custody after police found there was insufficient evidence to charge him with ‘blasphemy’. However, he has been advised not to return home to Kamahan village near Lahore, and he and his family are still in hiding. Babu has continued to receive threats from his original accuser, who is still reportedly putting pressure on police to press charges. Babu was accused in December of writing on a copy of the Koran then ripping up its pages. There has been no further news of Pastor Judoon who was apparently abducted from Kamahan in January because of his involvement in Babu’s case. (Source: Release partners)
Malaysia: Please pray for the family of Pastor Raymond Koh, who was abducted in Malaysia more than a fortnight ago. His son, Jonathan, has now filed a second police report on suspicion he has been murdered as no ransom demand has been made to his family. (Source: World Watch Monitor)
Please forward this to Christian friends so that they can pray and act too.
We’ve now learnt from our partners who are supporting some of these believers that for about 200 of these families this was not the first time they had been forced to uproot and leave everything behind – simply because they were Christians. And there is little prospect of them returning.
Please continue to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters who have had to flee from North Sinai and who face a very uncertain future.
The families have reportedly taken refuge in various different locations and are waiting to be housed elsewhere. They are currently receiving help from local churches but they face a long hard road to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
Our partners told us the families need a great deal of prayer. ‘The amount of pain and sadness is unbelievable. There are lots of questions “Why? Why has God allowed this? Why did they kill my son? What will we do now?” and most of the time we do not have answers.’
- Please pray for all those who have fled their homes in North Sinai. Pray for their protection and healing. Pray that they will guard their hearts (Proverbs 4:23) and not give in to bitterness or fear and that God would provide for their practical needs.
- Ask God to comfort those who mourn: pray that He will give them His perfect peace.
- Lift up in prayer all those who are working hard to support these persecuted Christians: ask God to give them wisdom and stamina.
UPDATES
Pakistan: We’re pleased to report that our brother Babu Shahbaz has been released from custody after police found there was insufficient evidence to charge him with ‘blasphemy’. However, he has been advised not to return home to Kamahan village near Lahore, and he and his family are still in hiding. Babu has continued to receive threats from his original accuser, who is still reportedly putting pressure on police to press charges. Babu was accused in December of writing on a copy of the Koran then ripping up its pages. There has been no further news of Pastor Judoon who was apparently abducted from Kamahan in January because of his involvement in Babu’s case. (Source: Release partners)
Malaysia: Please pray for the family of Pastor Raymond Koh, who was abducted in Malaysia more than a fortnight ago. His son, Jonathan, has now filed a second police report on suspicion he has been murdered as no ransom demand has been made to his family. (Source: World Watch Monitor)
Please forward this to Christian friends so that they can pray and act too.
