irani@brahms.udel.edu (Jennifer Irani) (05/03/91)
The following are updated prayer requests for the persecuted church world-wide from Open Doors ministry. SUDAN: Pray for opportunities to reach out to the oppressed Christians in Sudan, who are continually confronted with a militant form of Islam fundamentalism, which is supported by the Sudanese government. Pray for Pastor Mattaboush who has been sentenced to thirty years imprisonment. Pray that Open Doors will be able to contact him and that his case will be reviewed. EGYPT: Pray for the three Egyptian brothers in prison: Mohammed, Mustafa and Hassan. On February 11 they were sentenced to 45 days more in prison, so pray that they will have been released. Pray that their bodies and minds will not suffer from the torture. Pray also for Pastor Menes 'Abdul Noor of Cairo, who is fighting for the men and now may be under threat. Maghreb Countries of TUNESIA: Despite an article in th Constitution of Tunesia guaranteeing freedom of religion, pressure upon the small Christian community is increasing. Local authorities (policemen, the city council, etc) feel more and more free to intimidate the believers. Pray for wisdom, strength and comfort. There are no church buildings in Tunesia. Native believers must secretly meet in homes. Pray for protection. An additional problem is the isolation of believers, who are scattered over a large area and cannot meet easily. Pray for the possibility to encourage one another. [The Maghreb countries are the Islamic states in the northwest Africa--Morocco, Algeria, Tunesia, and Mauritania.] NOTE: The three egyptian prisoners were sentenced to 45 more days in prison on March 28, their supposed date of release. "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9 Jennifer Irani irani@brahms.udel.edu
irani@brahms.udel.edu (Jennifer Irani) (05/14/91)
TURKEY The country where the Apostle Paul founded so many churches had a large Christian minority for many centuries after the rise of Islam. As late as the 1920s, its capital was 80% Christian. Today, barely 3,000 Greek Orthodox communicants remain in this city of six million. In the eastern part of Turkey, whole areas were once dominated by Assyrian and Armenian Christians. Between one and two million Armenians were slaughtered by the Turks in 1915, and many of the remaining Christians are so persecuted that they emigrate--or convert to Islam. Pray for that there would be a revival in this country and that the Holy Spirit would boldly empower the Christians there to do the Lord's work. ESTONIA Praise God that the government of Estonia has officially asked the churches in this Soviet republic to pray for their country and people, understanding that only God can help them. SOVIET UNION Pray that the film "Jesus" will be freely shown without interference in the Muslim areas of the Soviet Union. Word has reached Open Doors that Muslim protests in Uzbekistan, USSR, caused authorities to stop the showing of the film. JORDAN The situation for Christians here is reasonable, although they comprise only five percent of the population. The country is extremely poor, however, and young poeple leave if they are able. One youth leader said that he doesn't ask young Christians IF they are going to America, but WHEN they are going. Pray that God would instill a vision within these young Christians to reach their country and sacrifice for Him. The above praises and prayer requests were once again taken from the Open Doors newsletter (May 1991). Jennifer Irani irani@brahms.udel.edu