Indonesia: Angry Muslims attack churches
More than 1,000 Muslim protesters have stormed a courthouse and burned two churches in central Java after a Christian man was sentenced to five years in jail for distributing leaflets deemed insulting to Islam. Indonesian police said the crowd considered the sentence too lenient and were demanding the death penalty.The violence spread to surrounding neighbourhoods where two churches were set on fire and a third was damaged. A body which advises the US government on religious freedom has said Indonesia must act against ‘extremist’ attacks, and should be more intolerant of extremist groups. Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population but it is currently a secular nation. International observers say more hard-line fringe groups have been harassing religious minorities in recent years.The Indonesian president has been criticised for not doing enough to protect the rights of all citizens.
Pray: for God to lead the Indonesian government into actions that would end hate crimes and revoke a 2008 decree that encourages vicious attacks. (Ps.109:30-31)
Egypt: Christians under attack
Persecution.org report, ‘On 29th January a Coptic Church was attacked in Rafah, close to the border with the Gaza Strip. The two-storey building contained two worship halls, used by different denominations. Attackers ransacked the interior and attempted to remove the cross from the top of the building but were unable to do so. They then set the contents on fire causing extensive damage. The absence of police recently led to numerous incidents of looting and other disorderly conduct with reports that Christians from two families were killed in one incident although the casualty figures remain unclear with no indication of motives. There are many reports of Christians assisting neighbours, and Christian prayers were conducted in Tahrir Square - public practice of Christianity outside predominantly Christian districts is very unusual in Egypt. However In some areas Christians have been forced to gather in their homes for prayer, fearing for their safety if they meet at church.
Pray: the congregations affected will know God’s protection as they continue to meet, and for no sectarian clashes in Egypt at this time. (Ps.55:22)
More: http://www.persecution.org/2011/02/09/egypt-prayer-update-church-attacked/
MP: Do not pray in the House of Commons
A Conservative MP has said the House of Commons should stop saying prayers at the start of its proceedings. The contentious proposal could, Jo Johnson MP said, ‘save three or four minutes every day’ and would better reflect the UK. Another Tory MP, Peter Bone, challenged this claim, saying a recent poll showed ‘75 per cent of British people thought that they were Christians’. Jo Johnson, the MP for Orpington, said ‘I am not against going to church, which is something that people should feel free to do, but it is something that MPs should be encouraged to do in their own time’. The MP is the brother of Boris, the Mayor of London. Last year the Mayor backed prayers in Parliament, saying it was helpful for both believers and non-believers. Pray: that our MPs would reject this move to restrict prayer and give God at least three or four minutes every day. (Mk.12:17)
Christians to 'light up' for poverty
Christians are being invited to ‘light up' beacons of hope for the world's impoverished communities through a week of prayer. Tearfund is asking Christians to take part in One Voice 2011, a worldwide week of prayer focused on social justice issues and ending global poverty. The aid agency is urging Christians to pray for people still suffering in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, as well as thousands of refugees displaced by post-electoral violence in the Ivory Coast, and those affected by the floods in Pakistan. Tearfund Chief Executive Matthew Frost said: ‘One Voice 2011 hopes to make an incredible difference to the world’s poorest people, those suffering social injustice and the effects of natural disasters. As Christians, when we engage with God in prayer, we re-focus our hearts on the mission Christ calls us into - to love our neighbours, to reach out to people living in poverty and care for those in need.’ Pray: for One Voice 2011 and for all those that Tearfund wish to support. (1Sa.2:8) More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/christians.to.light.up.for.poverty/27511.htm
