Source: World Watch Monitor
Thousands of Christians are continuing to leave their homes and possessions behind as ruthless militants sweep across their country. Recently, the last of the remaining Christians in the northern town of Bartella decided to flee for safer areas. Approximately 2,000 Christian families abandoned the town in early August, the majority of them joining the other 60,000 believers who had also fled to the Kurdish-controlled city of Erbil. More than 100,000 Christians and individuals from other vulnerable groups have been displaced since the Islamic State (IS, also referred to as ISIS) began establishing a caliphate in areas of Iraq and Syria. (To learn more about the plight of believers throughout the country, visit our website.)
Father Yacoub Saad Shamas, a church leader who helped lead these Christians to safety, recounts their arduous journey to Erbil, stating, "It was a painful decision to make: to leave behind our homes, the place we grew up in, the place we love. Some church guards and I were the last Christians to leave our village. It took us 10 hours to get to Erbil. In my church group, we had six babies born along the way. It was all very difficult."
He further notes, "Jesus said that because they have persecuted Him, they will persecute us. But He also said that although we face tribulation, we can be sure that Christ has overcome the world." Father Yacoub is seeking prayer from the international community. "Without prayer we really cannot do...anything," he explains. "Please ask your leaders to help us, so we can return to our homes and stay in Iraq."
Thank you for upholding these dear Christian brothers and sisters in prayer, asking that our Lord will reveal Himself to each one of them in a very personal and tangible way. May the assurance of His presence encourage them to put their trust in Him, despite the chaos and unrest currently occurring in Iraq. Pray that He will meet the many needs of these latest refugees from Bartella, equipping them to extend His grace and peace to others who are presently suffering. Also intercede for the many members of the Islamic State, asking that the Holy Spirit will penetrate their hearts and minds with spiritual truth so that they, too, can enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
To learn more about Iraq's beleaguered church, visit our Country Report.
NIGERIA: Churches Close Down as Boko Haram Claims Territory
Sources: Morning Star News, Reuters
Scores of Christians have been killed, and numerous churches and a Bible school forced to close down, after militants from Boko Haram recently seized towns and villages in several states. "Boko Haram violence has been getting worse every day, and our members are fleeing the area by the thousands," a church leader shares. "...Borno and Adamawa states, where are our churches are located, have seen Boko Haram take over the army base. As a result, about 350 Christians have been killed."
The leader of Boko Haram recently stated in an online video that the militant group is establishing an Islamic caliphate in the overtaken areas. It is believed that the group is attempting to mimic the militant group Islamic State, which has announced their own caliphate in areas of Syria and Iraq. In response to the terrorist activity, the Nigerian army has recaptured several towns and is continuing to fight the insurgents.
Lift up the persecuted church in Nigeria, asking God to sustain and protect His precious children there. In particular, may those mourning the loss of loved ones in these latest assaults find peace in the firm assurance that Jesus has conquered death through the shedding of His blood. Also pray that the school and churches that have experienced closure will soon be able to reopen and continue their important ministry work. Please also intercede on behalf of Nigeria's leaders and authorities, asking that God grant them much wisdom as they attempt to thwart the evil plans of Boko Haram.
To share your own prayer requests for our persecuted family in Nigeria, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.
RECENT PRISONER UPDATE
PAKISTAN: Dozens of Believers Accused of Blasphemy
Source: Release International
Fifty-five Christians were recently accused of blasphemy following an argument over a graveyard. Local Muslims registered a case against the 55 Christians in the Tehcil Samandri district of Faisalabad after the believers had begun to prepare part of an old Muslim graveyard for use by those of their own community. The Christians insist they had received permission from a sympathetic Muslim landowner to use that part of the graveyard, which was located on his property. Despite permission being granted, the accusing Muslims attacked the Christians and pressed charges. Police then arrested 14 of the believers, including a 12-year-old child. The others have yet to be detained.
Those who were accused had initially approached the Muslim landowner about using the land for burials because their own graveyard was full, causing them to resort to using the same plots two or three times. The Christian graveyard is a fraction of the size of the Muslim one, which covers 24 acres. In-country ministry partners of Release International, a sister mission of VOMC, recently provided food for the family members of the 14 detainees. They reported that the families are too scared to leave their homes for fear of attack. However, they are hopeful that they have succeeded in persuading the police to change the charge from blasphemy to a lesser one.
Pray that the false charges levelled against these believers will soon be dropped and each detainee released. Also pray for the protection of other Christians in this community, that God will shield them from any possible assault. May both the Christians and Muslims in this area be reconciled, resulting in many more within this district ultimately coming to faith in Jesus Christ through the faithful witness of the believers. Finally, please continue to pray that Pakistan's blasphemy laws will either be repealed or amended to prevent them from being misused to settle personal grievances.
For more information on the persecution Christians face in Pakistan, please visit the Country Report.
