Laos: Church closures
On February 21 a group of officials travelled to Kengweng village and conducted a seminar entitled ‘Tricks of the Enemy.’ Officials and villagers of Kengweng were asked to join the seminar. At the end of the seminar on February 22 officials summarized the teaching sessions and ordered the confiscation of Kengweng church building and prohibited Christians from using it, which went into effect immediately. The officials banned Christians from any worship gathering anywhere in the village. Any future worship gathering must be approved by authorities. The confiscation of Kengweng church took place in less than two months after officials confiscated Nadaeng church in the same district. The church began in 1972 with two Christian Lao families. In 1975 Christians constructed the building and have used it for worship ever since. The village has 25 Christian families, consisting of 178 individual believers.
Pray: God’s protection for the thirty churches throughout Savannakhet province, pray also for religious freedom to continue to flourish according to the Lao constitution. (Ps.27:4)
More: http://www.hrwlrf.net/pages/Lao%20Officials-Unlawfully-Confiscated-37-Year-Old-Church-Building.html
Syria: Christians prepare for the worst
Carl Moller at Open Doors writes, ‘Fundamental Islamic groups have orchestrated violent protests against the Syrian government. This could result in a new regime even worse than the present brutal one President Assad. If a change of power occurs- the revenge of the Sunnis could be bloodier than the 8,300+ deaths that have occurred. Christians in dozens of countries around the world face similar complex dilemmas where they cannot count on governments to protect them. But they can count on the prayers of the church and the power of God through His Word to see them through whatever battles are coming. Leah in Syria said, ‘Before I didn't see the importance of prayer, then I began to see how the people of God are coming together in fasting and prayers and understand what it means to be the body of Christ. My faith is stronger because I am not alone.’
Pray: for Leah and millions like her who ask us to pray for their safety and courage. (Ps.31:2)
More: http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=56141.1&dlv_id=78982
Afghanistan: Apologizing for Qur'an burning fans flames
In Islam forgiveness follows restitution. Apologizing admits responsibility. Muslims don't accept American style apologies. In Western culture refusing a sincere apology is poor form. In Sharia justice flows from balance (good deeds outweighing bad deeds). Muslims and Judeo-Christians have different rules for reconciliation. Americans cannot successfully import western rules into Muslim situations. Reconciliation among Muslims does not involve taking responsibility and then apologizing, it involves blaming either circumstances or God and then asking for forgiveness. Last week Qur'ans were burnt because detainees 'desecrated' them by writing messages to each other in them. Somehow American generals need to say, 'This is not our fault. Some detainees were desecrating Qur'ans, and it is God's will that they have now been exposed in this way. Please forgive us.'
Pray: for God to give leaders wisdom and understanding of each others religious values and for extremist views or actions to cease. (Pr.2:6)
More: https://atfp.org/articles/apologizing-qur-burning-fans-flames/
Egypt: Al-Qaeda official arrested at Cairo airport
Senior al-Qaeda operative, Saif al-Adel, who is believed to have led al-Qaeda after Osama bin Laden's death was detained on Wednesday after arriving from Pakistan. He is on the FBI's most-wanted list with a $5m reward for his capture. The FBI said, ‘al-Adel is thought to be affiliated with the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), and is believed to be a high-ranking member of the al-Qaeda organisation’.
Pray: that this may be the beginning of many prayers being answered for justice and future peace in the region. (Ps.7:14-17)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/02/2012229112459825101.html
