Endangered Christians | Ain't Complicated

Egypt: Fasting and Prayer

While many fear the Muslim brotherhood could hijack Egypt’s revolution, one organization says there’s a spirit of hope for Christians in that predominately-Muslim nation.

President of IN Network USA Rody Rodeheaver says, “There is a rejoicing. I think there is a genuine joy on their part that [President] Mubarak has stepped down and that there is some hope for change and maybe some real freedom and a voice in the country.”

[…]

Rodeheaver says Christians have set aside the next three days for fasting and prayer “that the revisions of the constitution will not shut out the Christians.”

[…]

Rodeheaver also says Christians are reaching out to help Egyptians adversely affected by the poor economy caused by the riots. “They used to be poor, and now they’re extremely poor and quite destitute. So our staff is reaching out to these people and trying to provide groceries.”

Source: Egypt: a window for the Gospel

Pew on Egypt: Apostates, Beware

Behold a little bit of what the Pew Global Attitudes Project found on the general subject of Muslim Publics Divided on Hamas and Hezbollah

At least three-quarters of Muslims in Egypt and Pakistan say they would favor making each of the following the law in their countries: stoning people who commit adultery, whippings and cutting off of hands for crimes like theft and robbery and the death penalty for those who leave the Muslim religion. Majorities of Muslims in Jordan and Nigeria also favor these harsh punishments.

Well, maybe that 75%+ is accurate or maybe it’s only for polling purposes.

In addition to the above link, you might also be interested in these:

Egypt: Away from the Cameras

While no one knows the political result of the unrest in Egypt, Christians are already feeling the effects of riotous distraction.

According to Assist News, the carnage took place in the village of Sharona near Maghagha, Minya province. Two Islamists groups, aided by Muslim neighbors, descended on the roof of houses owned by Christians, killing 11, including children, and seriously injuring four others.

The report stated the massacre has nothing to do with the mayhem in Egypt, but the murderers took advantage of the lack of police protection and thought they could commit their crime and no one would notice.

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So far, the protests have focused on jobs, free speech and democratic elections, not religion, but a few radicals are using this distraction to attack Christians.

Read it all

How to Pray for Egypt

Early this morning via their Facebook page, Operation World presented one Egyptian’s nine-item list of How to Pray for Egypt:

We have just received the note below from an Egyptian friend who has been involved in the prayer ministry in Egypt, but also involved on government level. This note is really helpful to understand the situation in Egypt and helps us to pray with insight. Please read it and pray fervently for this very special nation:

"Thank you for your messages and prayers for the Nation of Egypt. I have been in a state of disbelief and a little confused and now amazed as to what is taking place.

Many have asked me how we should pray for Egypt and to be honest I was not sure. The news is conflicting at the same time the things said do not match with my knowledge and understanding of the reality of Egypt and the people.

The past two days, listening to news on Al jezeera, BBC, and talking to parents and then talking to friends…. Each one had their own analysis and view about what is going on to an extreme… Confusion, confusion, confusion…

But one thing I sensed with them and agreed on is that last Friday, evil was unleashed in Egypt.

The Protest started as [….]

So, please Pray for:

A peaceful transition of power. Wisdom and revelation for the leaders and to the way they address the people of Egypt.
A quick end to this protest and the economic crisis accumulating.
That the evil unleashed will hit a wall, and the plans of the enemy to start a civil confrontation will not succeed.
Peace and security to return to the streets of Egypt
A restraining of the Muslim Brotherhood and other political parties who have evil hidden agendas.
For the Church to have a prophetic voice at this critical time. For Wisdom and revelation from the father to speak life and revealed truth to the Church and the Nation.
The Church to move prophetically and know how to handle this difficult time with confidence and boldness.
That Egyptians will not be taken lightly or mistreated any longer.
That President Mubarak will leave with dignity and honor, and non of His family will be harmed.

Source: How to Pray for Egypt

HT: Stener Dahle Fagerlie (a Facebook friend)

In Detention in Eritrea

Open Doors reports the deaths of two Christians in Eritrea’s infamous detention centers.

Seble Hagos Mebrahtu, 27, died in the military training center in Sawa on January 1. According to reliable sources, Mebrahtu was apparently refused medical treatment for malaria and died soon after.

42-year-old Mehari Gebreneguse Asgedom was also denied medical treatment for complications from diabetes and injuries sustained from torture. On January 16, 2009, at the Mitire Military Confinement Center, he went home to be with his Savior.

[…]

These deaths come as the Eritrea governments’ campaign against Christians seems to have escalated. Several large groups of believers, members of the underground church, have been arrested since the end of December.

Read it all

Indonesia: Beauty in Ashes?

I receive a monthly newsletter from The Voice of the Martyrs [….] This month, the cover is a picture of a woman, Yubelina, from Indonesia. She was burned in an attack by Muslims on her Christian village.

Her skin is splotchy & ranges in color from light brown to red to white. Much of it is leathery. Her nose is disfigured. She has a purplish-colored patch of skin in between her bottom lip & the bottom of her chin. Her upper lip is peeling. Her left eye is white & red; her pupil is clearly no longer able to see.

But she is smiling. A huge smile. Joy radiates from her. Why?? She must receive stares. Children are probably afraid of her. The world would call her damaged. Ugly.

Yubelina has figured out where her identity lies. She is a treasured child of the King. She has traded “a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning” (Isa. 61:3). Her smile reveals Jesus.

Yubelina is beautiful. I guarantee she has a joy, a contentment, that no name-brand, trendy clothing; no perfect haircut & makeup; no flawless skin or toned body can bring.

I want to be beautiful like that.

Source: Beauty

Here’s the photo and the magazine in question:

Yubelina of Indonesia
Christian Persecution Blog

Frankly, I don’t know if I’m very gung-ho about using Third World images like this. Or any such image, for that matter.

Is it sensationalism? Is it…ah…now I can’t remember the word I thought of a bit ago. Oh, yeah…is it some form of exploitation?

I hope not.

To be sure, it puts a face to persecution.

And it reminds us of how people treat each other.

And of how Christians should pray for each other.

And of how Christian joy surpasses circumstances.

And of how we should be thankful for freedom of religion.

Of what else does it remind you?

Persecution: Why the West Won’t Hear

Hundreds of millions of Christians have suffered discrimination or even persecution in lands as diverse as China and India, but mostly in countries where Islam is the top religion.

Despite this, persecution of Christians is one topic the American public doesn’t hear much about. One possible reason: an anti-Christian bias among Western elites.

You could watch the video. Actually, go ahead, if you wish.

But I have a question for you:

What difference would it make if the American public did hear much about persecution against Christians?

I suspect not much.