Kidnapped; raped; starved; tortured; jailed; are experiences of many Eritrean Christians who flee persecution in their homeland and suffer unimaginable horrors in their quest for freedom. As they make the dangerous journey across the Sinai deserts in a bid for safety in Israel many are captured by people traffickers. The Christian detainees are subjected to horrendous abuse, and huge ransom payments are demanded from their families for their release. Others are arrested and imprisoned in Egypt where they face similar violations and deprivation. Among them is Merhawi (17) who was transferred from one group of traffickers to another. The third group in Sinai tortured him mercilessly leaving him with permanent scarring all over his body. Merhawi’s family paid US$30,000 for his release, having already paid US$5,000 to each of the two other groups. Merhawi managed to get to Cairo, where he met fellow Eritreans who took him to Christians who arranged urgent medical treatment and a safe house.

Pray: for his full recovery, for the Christian ministries throughout the Middle East which are helping hundreds of persecuted Christians. (Ps.40:3)

More: http://barnabasfund.org/Help-and-hope-for-persecuted-Eritrean-Christian-refugees.html

Incarcerated in metal shipping containers with extreme temperature changes; forbidden to pray aloud, sing, preach or have a Bible; tortured to make them recant their faith, these are the extremely harsh conditions that Christians in Eritrea experience in prison. Some torture victims died because they were denied medical care. The country is among the world’s worst persecutors of Christians. Many have been detained in mass arrests for being part of a congregation or prayer meeting. The majority are held without formal charges, legal counsel, or allowed to see their families. A year ago 35 Christians were arrested and taken to notoriously harsh Adi-Nefase prison camp. They are still there. Christians conscripted to serve as soldiers can be imprisoned for attending prayer meetings and receive severe punishments for possessing a Bible. The mass arrests are a consequence of the government regarding Christians as a threat to national unity because they give their ultimate allegiance to God.

Pray: for those held in metal shipping containers to be strengthened. Pray for those Eritrean Christians who have managed to escape and share their stories with the West (see next item) (Ps.40:1-2)

More: http://barnabasfund.org/Help-and-hope-for-persecuted-Eritrean-Christian-refugees.html

A lawyer from Alexandria has submitted a report to the public prosecutor requesting that Egypt's Coptic Christians be excluded from the committee forming the nation's new constitution. Sherif Gadallah claimed that Orthodox Coptics are not representative of Egypt's Christian population because they're not Nasara, the so-called ‘true’ Christians of Islam's Qur'an, a book in which the word ‘Christian’ never appears. Since Orthodox Copts are not Nasara, or even Christians, Gadallah said they can be counted as polytheists, which will make Coptics non-representative of Egypt's Christian population. Gadallah justified his report by the Qur'an, which claims the prophets of Allah - Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad - are all mere humans sent by God to pass his message on to creation. Since Christians believe Jesus to be the divine Son of God, they are polytheistic infidels and not the Nasara of the Qur'an; therefore, Copts who also profess the divinity of Christ as expressed in the Trinity must be barred from having any say in Egypt's new constitution

Pray: against any move to marginalise Coptic Christians which would restrict full representation of all people on the constitutional committee. (Pr.29:14)

More: http://www.worthynews.com/11682-lawyer-wants-copts-removed-from-egyptian-constitutional-committee

A judge in Upper Egypt has upheld a six-year prison sentence for Makarem Diab, a Coptic Christian wrongly convicted of ‘blasphemy’ against Islam and inciting sectarian strife. In his April 5th judgment, the judge in Assuit refused to strike down a February 29 sentence delivered to Makarem Diab, 49. The charges stem from an argument that Diab had in February with Abd Al Hameed, a fellow employee at Deer Al Gabrawy Prep School. From the start, the charges against Diab were inflated, according to his lawyer, Ahmed Sayed Gebaly. ‘I know Makarem well because we grew up together, and I know he wouldn’t do that,’ said Gebaly, a Muslim. ‘To be honest, he didn’t do anything wrong. If he did, I would have told him.’

Pray: that having been denied justice, God will set him free soon. (Am.5:24)

More: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/prayer-updates/2012/05-May/Christian%27s-Six-Year-Sentence-Upheld-Egypt

Less than two years after its democratic revolution, Egypt is in crisis. People are more divided than ever. Many being fearful of the constitution being voted on. A year ago a Night of Prayer drew 70,000 Christians to pray for their nation. On 13th December 2012 between 8,000-10,000 believers from across Egypt's churches gathered again to pray for the current political situation, church unity, repentance and spiritual revival in Egypt. They erupted into chants of ‘Jesus!’ and ‘Egypt!’ holding banners declaring, ‘We want you, Jesus’ and ‘You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.’Held at Cairo's massive Cave Church and televised live by SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 PLUS, extracts from the event were also taken by secular channel ON-TV. Two secular Egyptian newspapers published articles on the event and SAT-7's coverage of it. Over 50,000 have so far watched on YouTube. See: http://www.youtube.com/sat7arabic

Pray: that SAT-7's YouTube clips would speak powerfully to all who watch. (2Ki.17:38-39)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12120118.htm

Many in Egypt’s Christian ministry are appalled at the misinterpretations of the situation in Egypt being reported by normally balanced international media like the BBC. They are portraying Muslim Brotherhood as the victims of injustice. Prior to the attack on the camp leaders in the Muslim Brotherhood warned, ‘if it’s broken up Christians would be attacked.’ Immediately before and after Morsi's removal his supporters repeatedly blamed Christians for the protests that led to his removal. In sermons across the country imams called for Christians to be attacked. Since Mr Morsi's removal Islamists have painted black X's on Christian shops to mark them for arson and angry mobs have attacked churches and Christians in their homes. Leaflets have been left at Christian homes and businesses demanding them to leave or else face reprisals. Church services have been cancelled either through fear or because the buildings are too damaged. see also: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/egypt.churches.cancelling.services.for.fear.of.attack/33642.htm

Pray: for God to protect and encourage all those living in fear and uncertainty. Ask Him to comfort all who have lost loved ones. (Is.61:2-3)

More: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/august-web-only/egypt-christians-support-military-eviction-morsi-protesters.html

On Wednesday President Mohammed Morsi was reportedly considering handing over security in Port Said to the military as clashes between protesters and police escalated for a third consecitive day. Lawlessness and violence have wracked the city since January. Photos posted on social networking sites on Tuesday showed smoke rising from locations where protesters threw molotov cocktails on security buildings. The government's inability to regain control is a sign of how deeply divided Egypt has become in the two years since Hosni Mubarak’s regime was toppled. Mr Morsi's deliberations over declaring martial law in Port Said had echoes of Mubarak's decision during the 18-day uprising to order the military into the streets to restore security. The tenuous security situation has raised questions about Mr Morsi’s ability to forge ahead with new parliamentary elections scheduled to begin at the end of April.

Pray: for Egypt’s political environment to be fair and inclusive. (Is.32:16)

More: http://www.thenational.ae/topic/subjects/egypt-unrest

Christians have been killed, churches attacked and burned and the interim military government and police are unwilling to intervene. On Wednesday 200 people were injured as police fired tear gas at thousands frustrated by the slow pace of change since the revolution. See: A strong Muslim Brotherhood is reaching even the smallest of villages. Citizens are warned not to vote for a secular state in September elections, and Islamic rule under sharia is touted as the ‘true answer to freedom’ for Egyptians. Despite this, Christians are boldly speaking about Christ and engaging with politics. A new interest in Christianity and the Bible is evident on TV talk shows and Christian websites. Christians are interceding for their land at special prayer meetings with a growing trust that God is in control. Egypt’s Christians make up 10% of the population - the largest Christian community in North Africa and the Middle East.

Pray: that as Egypt stands at this crossroad, God will guard the hearts of her leaders, and that the Christian community would know His peace. (Phil.4:6-7)

More: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/htmlemail/epa.pdf

Despite promising not to back a candidate in the upcoming presidential election the Muslim Brotherhood nominated Khairat al-Shater on March 31st saying the parliamentary elections which were dominated by Islamists ‘indicate that the Egyptian people support an Islamic state.’ Al-Shater is a millionaire businessman who in recent months developed the Brotherhood's economic policy and met the International Monetary Fund team. He has also represented the organization in meetings with ambassadors, visiting foreign officials and international investors. Observers believe Shater has a very good chance of winning the election.However, Prayer Alert has recently heard from a reliable source that two senior members of the Brotherhood are exploring Christianity.

Pray: that the Lord would raise up leaders of His choosing in Egypt, and men and women of integrity and humility to be elected to office. (Da. 2:21)

More: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june12/egypt2_04-03.html