Four Christians killed in bomb attack in Jos, Nigeria

(Sources: VOM contacts, Release International) Four Christians died and over 50 more were injured after a car bomb exploded at the Church of Christ in Nigeria headquarters on February 26 in Jos, Plateau state. The Sunday morning worship service had just started when two suicide bombers detonated their explosives. One of the bombers was killed, while the other was later apprehended. The Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attack, which sparked violent reprisals in which two Muslims were killed.

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Boko Haram, which models itself on the Taliban, aims to impose radical Islamic law in Nigeria, including a more extreme form of Shariah in the north. To achieve this, observers believe the militants are attempting to destabilize relations between Christians and Muslims. The group has been stepping up attacks against the Christian minority in the north and has ordered Christians to leave. At the same time, the militants have been targeting Jos, the dividing line between the mainly Muslim north and the predominantly Christian south. Please pray that Christians in Nigeria will remain faithful to God, even in the midst of unrest. Pray the Lord will give those affected by the violence the desire and strength to forgive their attackers. Pray for those who are grieving. Pray the Lord will reach many in Nigeria with the truth of the gospel so they may repent and believe. For more on the persecuted Church in Nigeria, go to the Nigeria Country Report. To post a prayer for Nigeria's suffering Christians, visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

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Update: Li Ying released early from prison in China

(Sources: China Aid Association, VOM-USA) Journalist and Christian activist Li Ying was released from prison in China on December 25, 2011, almost five years before the end of her 15-year sentence. During her time in prison, she was reportedly forced to work 15 hours a day on products for export. Her visits with her family were also strictly limited, and she was not allowed to have a Bible. Li was arrested in April 2001 for her work on an underground Christian magazine. In December 2001, Li was one of 17 South China Church leaders who were convicted of "using a cult to undermine enforcement of the law," five of whom were sentenced to death. Li was one of them, but as a result of the ensuing international outcry a higher court revoked the death sentences in September 2002, citing lack of clarity about certain facts and insufficient evidence. The case was retried in October 2002. Instead of the crime of "using a cult," the five who had been condemned to death were convicted instead of "intentional assault" (for more information, click here). China Aid Association founder and president, Bob Fu, spoke with Li on February 10. Li is very grateful for the support she received from around the world. She told Fu that she was aware of the many letters she had received but that authorities never let her see the letters. Thank the Lord for this wonderful answer to prayer! Ask Him to restore Li physically and emotionally. Pray that she will draw ever closer to Him as she comes to terms with her new life outside prison walls. Pray for the many Christian believers currently in prison for their faith. To learn more about the persecuted Church in China, please visit the China Country Report. To find out how you can encourage other imprisoned believers in China, visit VOM's letter writing site at www.PrisonerAlert.com. For our letter writing guide and complete prisoners' list, go to the Writing Letters page.

Religious groups raided, threatened in Belarus

(Source: Forum 18 News Service) Religious communities in various parts of Belarus have faced raids and threats for holding meetings deemed illegal by officials. In January, officials threatened to strip a pastor's congregation of state registration after he held a service for disabled Christians at a church-owned home in a village in Brest Region rather than the church's main building in a nearby town. Officials said that the pastor had violated the law by conducting a religious service away from the congregation's legal address without first receiving permission from authorities. In February, police in the capital city of Minsk launched a mass raid at a pastor's home where believers had gathered for a meeting. Thirty-four participants were taken to a police station, but were released two hours later without any explanation and without any official record being drawn up. Please pray believers will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Ask the Lord to strengthen His church in Belarus and add to its number and faithfulness. Pray for wisdom for pastors and church leaders in Belarus. Go to the Belarus Country Report for more information on the trials believers face in Belarus.

Update: Pastor released from prison in Turkmenistan

(Source: Forum 18 News Service) Nearly 18 months after his August 2010 arrest, Pastor Ilmurad Nurliev has been released from prison. Pastor Ilmurad, 46, was arrested at his home in Mary in south-eastern Turkmenistan on August 27, 2010. He was charged with extracting money from three people -- an accusation his wife, Maya, and fellow church members strongly denied (for more, click here). On February 18, Pastor Ilmurad was among a group of about 230 prisoners freed under amnesty from a labour camp. "Church members have been coming to the house to celebrate my release with me," Pastor Ilmurad said. "I want to thank ... everyone who supported me and helped my release." Praise God for Pastor Ilmurad's release! Pray that God will heal any physical, emotional, or spiritual wounds. Pray that God will continue to equip and use Pastor Ilmurad to further His Kingdom in Turkmenistan. Please visit the Turkmenistan Country Report for more on Turkmenistan's persecuted Church.

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