Persecution of Christians in Africa
Africa is home of some of the most violent persecution of Christians in the world. Although the rest of the world naively perceives this violence to be typically political in nature, the hostility of Islam toward Christianity is deeply interlaced in the horrific conflicts in Sudan, Darfur, and Nigeria.
Although it would be an over-simplification to describe the African spread of Islam as moving north to south over the continent, there is no doubt that the mosque-building boom has now moved to sub-Saharan Africa. Oil revenues enable Islam to be easily exported from oil-rich Middle Eastern Muslim states to Africa where in Ghana, for example, new mosques are being built so that they dot the countryside no more than 2-3 miles apart from each other.
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Africa
Christian Leader Beheaded
Islamists in MALI beheaded a Christian leader. They reportedly have a list of other Christians whom they intend to behead. Sharia law has been imposed in the north.
Pray for courage and protection for believers. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
LEARN MORE: TURMOIL IN MALI
Turmoil in Mali
The situation of Christians in Mali is bleak. They make up only about 1% of the population, but this tiny minority is being targeted in recent violence. Sharia law has been imposed in Timbuktu. One refugee testifies, “We have escaped in the wake of horrible death threats as the Islamists have a list of all the Christians in Timbuktu whom they intend to execute by beheading.
Freedom in Morocco?
Abdelilah Benkirane, prime minister of Morocco, recently defended the personal freedom of Moroccan citizens. He said, "I believe in freedom, God created us free. Who is Benkirane to tell Moroccans to shave your beards or to impose the hijab? Individual liberties are sacred and are not to be touched."
Believers Arrested, Questioned
In March, three believers were arrested and questioned in MOROCCO for their Christian activity. Police also tried to find their pastor, but he was warned and got to safety. Some Moroccan Christians fear that the arrests will become a new trend for the Islamist-influenced government.
Pray for courage for these believers. “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.”
Christian Student Harassed, Disappears
Twenty-four-year-old Christian student Simi Maltida Kim was finishing her last year at Federal Polytechnic in Bauchi state, Nigeria. One of her teachers was determined to convert her to Islam. He summoned her, questioned her for her faith, and brought other students to confront her. He even failed one of her written exams without even looking at it. Her mother says, “This Muslim teacher did this to force our daughter into submitting to recanting her Christian faith, but this did not deter her from remaining firm as a Christian.”
Missing Student Presumed Dead
A Christian college student who disappeared last fall amid violence against Christians in NIGERIA is now presumed to be dead. Before her disappearance, a Muslim teacher questioned her faith, failed her exam without looking at it, and tried to make her recant.
Ask God to comfort and encourage her family. “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we also will live with Him.”
Grenade thrown at Worshipers
On a Saturday evening in Kenya, Christians gathered for an open air meeting. A pastor was at the podium, and a group of singers were nearby. Someone in a passing car threw a hand grenade toward the podium. Witnesses say that the flying grenade landed on a woman before hitting the ground.
Terrorists Attack Christian Gathering
On March 31 in KENYA, suspected Islamic terrorists threw a grenade into an open-air gathering of approximately 500 Christians, killing a woman and an 8-year-old boy and injuring at least 30 others.
Ask God to comfort grieving families. Pray for a speedy recovery for the injured. “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the newness of life.”
Christians Concerned about Egypt’s Future
Christians in EGYPT are concerned as presidential elections scheduled for May 23-24 approach. The Muslim Brotherhood says that the people of Egypt want an Islamic state.
Our ministry partner requests prayer for the salvation of those in the Muslim Brotherhood. Our partner also prays that the schemes of Islamic groups seeking to seize control would be defeated.
Bombings Target Christians
Earlier this year, a bombing killed 5 members of a Christian family in the border region of NORTH SUDAN. Weeks later bombers destroyed houses and cattle near church buildings and schools. The Islamic government is portraying the violence as “jihad” and is raising support from other Muslim nations.
Pray for courage for the Christians in the region. “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
