Although, at last report, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack, it is widely suspected to be the work of the Somali Islamic terrorist group, Al Shabaab, or its sympathizers.
As many now grieve the loss of loved ones due to this unwarranted attack, pray that they will look to the Lord for comfort and daily strength. May He surround those suffering from resulting physical and emotional wounds with His love, and may their recovery be prompt and complete. Please also intercede for the gunmen, that they will repent of this destructive violence and develop a personal and life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.
To post a prayer for those affected by this terrible attack, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall at
www.persecution.net/prayerwall.
INDIA: Believers Targeted for their Faith Throughout Country
Sources: Evangelical Fellowship of India, Morning Star News
Around midnight on March 5th, approximately 30 Hindu militants forcefully entered the home of Pastor Ramsai Netam in Bhanupratappur, Chhattisgarh, accusing him of forcefully converting people and practising witchcraft. Dragging him to a cultural hall, the mob then beat the pastor, as well as his two sons who tried to protect him. The next morning, the police arrived at the scene and brought Pastor Ramsai to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for a serious head injury. However, the police recorded the cause of the wound as an "injury sustained from falling from a tree."
In Kandhamal, Odisha, militants threatened to physically assault a group of Christians on March 11th after the believers had gathered stones for the construction of a church building. Since the unprecedented violence that took place after the assassination of a Hindu leader in Odisha (formerly called Orissa) in August of 2008, life has become difficult for Christians. Believers are boycotted, discriminated against and threatened by Hindu militants on a regular basis because of their faith in Christ. (For more information on the 2008 attacks, go to
www.persecution.net/in-2008-08-27.htm.)
Elsewhere in the country, three Christians were arrested on March 16th in Betul city, Madhya Pradesh, after Hindu militants, accompanied by police and media, stopped a Sunday worship meeting and accused the believers of forceful conversion. When police asked the congregation how much money they had received to convert, the "church members responded that they came to the church by their own accord to pray, that they did not receive any money, and that there was no case of forceful conversion," one of the Christians explained. Under pressure from the militants, the police then brought the pastor and two other believers to the police station where they were beaten and a case was registered against them. Thankfully, they were released on bail on March 27th after the intervention of area church leaders.
Amid this climate of hostility, Christians in the country are growing anxious as general elections begin this month. A Hindu nationalist party is predicted to win, raising concerns of even more violence being perpetrated against the church.
As Christians across India face attacks and false accusations because of their faith, pray that the church throughout the country will be a unified and bold example of God's love. Ask Him to completely heal and restore those who were injured or arrested in recent weeks. May their resolve to follow Christ only be refined and strengthened by these attempts to stop their witness. Ask our Lord to encourage believers during this election period in India, trusting that His will be done.
Please visit our India Country Report at
www.persecution.net/india.htm to learn more about the trials our Christian family faces there.
URGENT PRISONER UPDATES
PAKISTAN: Christians Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy
Sources: Release International, World Watch Monitor
Sawan Masih, a Christian road sweeper and father of three from Lahore, was sentenced to death for blasphemy on March 27th. Sawan was also fined 200,000 rupees (approximately $2,250 CAD). The trial was conducted in the Lahore Camp Jail, where Sawan has been unable to leave due to the threats on his life.
Sawan's sentence is based on a conversation that occurred between him and his Muslim friend in March of 2013. Two days after the conversation, more than 3,000 Muslims pillaged Sawan's community in Joseph Colony, looting and torching Christian homes, shops and churches, and displacing hundreds of families. (For more information on these attacks, go to
www.persecution.net/pk-2013-03-14.htm.)
Sawan and his family are reportedly shocked by the verdict. An appeal is being filed with the Lahore High Court, which must sign off on death penalty cases.
Meanwhile, the latest hearing in the appeal of Asia Bibi against her own death sentence for blasphemy took place on March 26th at Lahore High Court. It lasted just 10 minutes due to the failure of the prosecution lawyer to attend. The next hearing has been scheduled for April 14th. Asia Bibi is the first woman in the country to be sentenced to death for blasphemy. (To learn more about Asia Bibi, please visit
www.persecution.net/pk-2014-03-20.htm.)
Ask God to grant wisdom and favour to both Sawan's and Asia's legal teams as they face the judicial authorities in Pakistan. While lifting these dear persecuted believers to our Lord, pray that they and their loved ones will be strong and courageous, resting in God's promise that He will neither leave nor forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:6). May their appeals be successful, so that they may soon be released from prison and reunited with their concerned families. Finally, pray that Sawan and Asia will serve as bold testimonies of God's goodness, leading many to faith in Jesus.
For more information on Pakistan's persecuted church, go to
www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm.
