Looking out Looking up
UK
We hear much about the persecution in places like the Middle East and China but often, we do not pay much attention to the persecution happening in the midst of our modern societies where the unbalanced promotion of wrongly understood 'human rights' and 'non-discrimination' leads to a different kind of persecution.
From Andrea Minichiello Williams, a barrister and the Director of the Christian Legal Centre, UK, we learn for example that Shirley Chaplin, 54, a nurse with 30 years' practice from Extern, was threatened with disciplinary action after refusing to remove a necklace bearing a cross - a symbol of her Christian faith.
Although wearing a Cross has nothing to do with health and safety, the Royal Devon & Exeter Trust Hospital ordered Chaplin to remove the item, deeming it a breach of uniform policy and a health risk to her and to patients.
Williams, supporting Chaplin in her case, said, "Today, a nurse who has faithfully served members of the public in Exeter with her professional skills was forced, under duress, to agree to stand down from nursing and take up an administrative role, all because the Trust would not permit her to wear a cross, the worldwide recognised and cherished image of Christianity."
Pray for Christians - like Chaplin who has been strong enough not to compromise her faith - that they will be ready to withstand all consequences of their godly decisions with courage and testimony.
Pray for the Christian Legal Centre's team of lawyers working on cases such as Chaplin's and on behalf of true freedom of religion and expression in UK.
Pray for the Church in the West to have a strong and distinguished voice, which should never be silenced in spite of the pressure from wrongly interpreted humanistic culture.
Somalia
Compass Direct reported on Oct 27 that Amina Muse Ali, a 45-year old Somali Christian, was killed for allegedly not wearing a veil.
Ali was shot dead by three masked members of the militant Islamic group Suna Waljameca in her home in Galkayo, Puntland region on Oct 19.
She has been an active member of the underground church in the Lower Juba region since 1997, part of the Somali Christian Brothers' Organisation.
Pray for those mourning the loss of Amina Muse Ali in Somalia
Pray for the small suffering com-munity of believers in Somalia who have to be daily encouraged to stay strong for their faith in time of fear and tribulation and for those who seek to take the lives of Christians in Somalia that they will see the love and grace of Jesus through the lives of their victims.
Open Doors reported that its workers have been able to make contact with a small group of Somali Christians in northern Somalia. Pray for God's guidance as they start a journey of discipleship with these Somali Christians.
Colombia
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reported about the brutal murder of Pr Rafael Velasquez in the Colombian region of Cordóba.
The assassination of Pr Rafael is part of serial of threats against a number of Protestant pastors in the region, done by illegal armed groups operating in the area. CSW states at least three pastors have been displaced with their families, after being told by the armed groups that they and their families would be killed if they did not leave the area.
Pray for peace and comfort for the family of Pr Velasquez; safety of other pastors, church leaders and their families in the Cordóba region; that Christ might be glorified through the life and the death of His people in every place and circumstance of persecution.
Open Doors also reported that a violent environment has developed in Colombia and guerrillas are recruiting teenagers. On the west coast, young Christians have been targeted as candidates for a guerrilla group.
Pray against any attempt of the evil one to steal God's young ones; for God's protection over the hearts of His people, that they will stand strong - to the point of death - should they be forced to join the guerrillas.
Uzbekistan
Forum 18 News Service reports continuous violations of religious freedom in Uzbekistan, and lists the country among those with still repressive and not-democratic regimes of governance.
Pavel Peichev, the head of Uzbekistan's Baptist Union, together with two of his colleagues went on trial on Sept 24, accused of "teaching religion illegally to children at church-run summer camps and evading tax on profits from the camp."
The punishment for these charges is up to three years' imprisonment. Pavel Peichev and his colleagues deny all charges.
Pray for significant and lasting advances in religious freedom in Uzbekistan and for spiritual strength and wisdom for the persecuted for their faith in the country.
Pray for God's intervention on behalf of Christians like Pavel Peichev and his colleagues at their court trials and others in prison for their faith. |
