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Reports of Brother Simon’s conversion are little more than hearsay yet recent news from Open Doors co-workers is disturbing - Simon has disappeared. Like many students from the Maldives Simon travelled to Sri Lanka to study. Simon had not lived in a country where religions other than Islam were practiced. Under the strict rule of Islamic Sharia law the Maldives’ Government demands all the nation’s citizens to be Muslims. Conversion is illegal. Churches and Bibles are banned. While studying in Sri Lanka Simon heard the Good News of the Gospel, was converted and began to follow Jesus. When Simon’s family back in the Maldives learned of his newfound faith in Christ they took him away and he has not been heard of since. Simon’s disappearance is not uncommon in the Maldives where indigenous Christians have to live in isolation as secret believers. Pray: that Simon and the handful of Maldivian believers in Christ would stay faithful to the Lord in the face of such oppression and threat. (Gen.28:15)
A two-hour journey from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur revealed an isolated encampment where some Christian converts say they've been taken to be forced back to Islam. The Malaysian government calls the facilities ‘retreat centres’ where Muslims willingly go to strengthen their faith. However one Christian, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, ‘They force Christians to recite Islamic prayers and the Koran, to do all the things you're suppose to do as a Muslim. They're trying to force us to believe what we can't believe. These re-education centres come from the power of darkness.’ Another former Muslim said he lost his property, job, and family after officials learned he'd become a Christian. He's hiding from the government. Traditionally, Malays are Muslim. Five years ago, there were less than 200 Malay Christians in the country. Today, there are an estimated 1,000 or more. Christian Growth is being targeted. Pray: for the power of Christian evangelism to grow and be protected in Malaysia. (SS.4:16)
A threat this week to burn Bibles in the Malay language is the latest in a series of attacks on the Christian faith in Malaysia. A note sent to a Christian priest in Butterworth on Tuesday, 22nd January 2013 said a Bible-burning pesta or festival would take place in the town’s public park on Sunday 27th January. Butterworth is sited on the mainland across from the tourist island resort of Penang. The note, written in Malay, ends with a sinister warning in English: ‘Let’s teach ‘em a lesson.’ The Police have been informed of the threat. Whether the threat materialised is uncertain but it has had the desired effect of adding to the despair of Malaysian Christians. A fortnight ago defying practice and convention in the country the Sultan of the State of Selangor forbade Christians to use the word ‘Allah’ which has been used in Bibles in the Malay language and Christian litany for more than 400 years.
Pray: that the threat against the Word of God will be halted. (Neh.4:9)
More: http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/english/country/malaysia/2026538
More than 2,000 cases of arson, fighting and other election-related crimes have been recorded by police since Malaysia’s parliament was dissolved for polls. The violence is much more than previous elections. The increased tension is being driven by the fear of racial riots and broader implementation of Islamic law. Numerology, superstition and astrology permeate Southeast Asian politics. May 5 is designated as a ‘war day,’ based on a geomancy astronomical calculation known as ‘shi.’ The Christian Federation of Malaysia request our prayers for:- the powers of darkness to be bound and have no freedom to advance the cause of evil, injustice and extremisms of various forms during the election. Pray that Malaysia will be a nation that follows God and is a blessing to the nations of the earth. Ask God to overrule and stop any attempt at stirring up violence and rioting before, during and after the elections, and that peace and harmony will prevail for the well-being of all communities and for the nation.
Pray: for God's plans and purposes for Malaysia to be established during this election season. (Ps.94:17-19)
The following is taken from a report giving two examples of the challenges faced in Malawi. ‘I have been staggered at the increase in prices of items in shops. Basics of sugar, bread and salt are very expensive for most and out of reach for many to buy. Meat is inaccessible for most in the villages. Maize (the staple food) has doubled in price and most of those we visited have had no harvest. (I heard on the radio that ‘there is 800,000 tonnes of maize in the silos from previous years') This is appalling. The folks in the villages and mountain areas are the forgotten people. Also, ‘A young man came, whose father had died. He had a growth on his neck and some bush doctor cut it and it spread. The young man is now responsible for his mother and siblings; plus his own wife and one small child. He just sunk into a chair; he was so weak from walking, gaunt from hunger, with nowhere else to go. Could I help him with little money to buy some corn husks? He brought a lump to my throat. I knew his father well’
Pray: that the hungry would have access to food banks, and may God strengthen those working amongst the disadvantaged and disabled. (Mt.25:34-36)
More: http://www.torchtrust.org/smartweb/international/malawi
‘Malawi is sliding into dictatorship where it is a crime to hold dissenting views to government policy.’ warned leaders of the Church of Central Africa. The charges came after the arrest and subsequent release of the synod's general secretary the Rev. Levi Nyondo. ‘We are shocked and surprised that government could stoop so low to arrest a general secretary of a reputable church,’ synod moderator the Rev. Mezuwa Banda said. Nyondo was arrested after speaking at the funeral of former Cabinet minister Moses Chirambo who died just days after being dismissed from the government. Nyondo was charged with sedition for uttering words that could incite public anger and has since been granted bail by the Mzuzu Magistrate Court. Synod moderator Joyce Banda said the arrest of Nyondo would not intimidate the church into submission, but rather invigorate it to preach the truth. Joyce Banda is sitting vice president and may run for the presidency in 2014 elections. Pray: for the church to deliver God's prophetic message and continue to stand against wrongdoing. (Ps.18:33-34)
Madagascar parents’ desire to send their children to school is strong. When President Tsiranana came to office in 2009 his main priorities were to reform primary education. It was conducted in a disorderly fashion leading to a dramatic reduction in teacher training and professional development for primary school teachers. As the demands for teachers grew, parents’ associations recruited unqualified children’s parents to teach. These teachers are called ‘FRAM teachers’. FRAM teachers now constitute about two-thirds of all primary teachers and the education system is failing. Teachers are insufficiently qualified, have received no or only very little training and face difficult working conditions. On Friday October 25th Madagascar holds its first presidential elections since the 2009 military coup. We can pray that this event will end years of political crisis that, amongst other things, has failed the education system. See also http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/22/us-madagascar-elections-idUSBRE97L0YE20130822
Pray: that the new government of Madagascar will ensure future primary school education prepares children for life and higher education through math, reading, and other diverse lessons. (Ps.72:3,4)
More: http://www.issa.int/Observatory/Good-Practices/Access-to-social-protection-for-community-teachers
Tripoli's Roman Catholic bishop focuses on keeping Moammar Gaddafi’s men and anti-government rebels out of his church since most of his congregation has fled Libya's violence. After a recent Mass several Muslim women, all Gaddafi supporters, followed Bishop Giovanni Martinelli into the vestry tearfully demanding he call the Vatican asking the pope to halt NATO airstrikes. Some of his parishioners, especially African migrant workers, are using St. Francis Church as a sanctuary because they dread going into the streets where they are harassed by Gaddafi's security forces. The war has battered and scattered Christian African migrant labourers, Filipino health care workers, and European expatriates living in Tripoli. Missionary activity is not allowed, though clergy say the regime has respected Christians's freedom of worship. Pray: for the Christian communities to be in a place of hope and faith, used by God to minister in love to their neighbours. (1Th.5:21-22)
The US ambassador to Libya has died after an attack by militiamen on the US consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi, reports say. Ambassador Christopher Stevens is said to be among four US officials killed in a protest over a US-produced film that is said to insult the Prophet Muhammad. Protesters have also attacked the US Embassy in Cairo over the film. In the attack in Benghazi, unidentified armed men stormed the grounds, shooting at buildings and throwing handmade bombs into the compound. Security forces returned fire but Libyan officials say they were overwhelmed. A Libyan official has said Ambassador Stevens died from smoke suffocation as a result of the attack.
Pray: that peace will descend on Benghazi and Cairo and this situation will not esculate into more conflict - see below. (Pr.10:12)
Tripoli Bishop Giovanni Martinelli needs help for refugees sheltering in his church. ‘We are worried for hundreds of Eritreans stranded here - no one cares for their evacuation. Italy is trying to take fifty four, such a small number. Conflict is keeping people away from Church services but the building is filled with Eritreans wanting to leave the country. Last week Martinelli entered into contact with the Red Crescent and other Muslim organizations appealing for protection of the churches, convents and sisters working in the hospitals. Thousands of refugees on Libya’s borders need tents food water and emergency supplies to avoid a humanitarian disaster. France sent heavy-lifting planes and a ship to create a land and sea bridge to ferry 5,000 Egyptian refugees home from the Tunisian border and is also seeking ways to send tents and emergency supplies to vulnerable people who have not yet left Libya. Pray: that the 80,000 Christians in Libya will be Gods hands, feet and voice in every situation, and equipped by Gods spirit in all they do. (Hab.1:5)