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Central Asia
Secret believers in Central Asia are often accused of receiving money in exchange for becoming Christians as people often assume that financial reasons must be the underlying cause for changing religion.
In Central Asia, Christianity is usually associated with Russia. The god of the Christians is seen as a Russian god.
Those who convert to Christianity are plagued with feelings of isolation and fear that are so overwhelming that often times, it is almost impossible to publicly persevere in the Christian faith. Some have had to publicly renounce their new-found Christian faith after buckling under pressure by their families or religious leaders.
One such person is Alfia who came to faith in Christ through her friends. Concerned about the family's reputation, her husband gathered the village religious leaders and together, they pressured her into renouncing the Christian faith.
Finally, with a heavy heart and flowing tears, Alfia gave in as she feared the consequences of maintaining her Christian faith. But she still loves Jesus and now struggles with feelings of guilt. She also misses the fellowship with other Christians.
Pray
- For Alfia and many other secret believers in Central Asia;
- They will find assurance in a gracious God; and
- They will be strengthened in their faith somehow.
China
The Church in China is still the fastest growing church in the world. However, in spite of the economic open door policy, there remains a great need for Bible-based training, production and provision of Study Bibles and practical support for the house church.
Believers caught in unauthorised distribution of religious materials are charged with "disrupting public order" while people who are involved in religious activities not sanctioned by the State run the risks of arrests and imprisonment.
Pray
- God will release His bountiful resources through His people from outside China;
- He will raise young leaders with strong biblical foundations who can teach and lead His people to stand firm in their faith;
- Pray also for children under 18 who are prevented from hearing the Gospel through regulations that prohibit organising Sunday School. Pray that God will inspire creative ways among His people to bring His Good News to the young ones and that Christian parents and adults will be mindful to share Jesus’ love with their children.
Iraq
Six years ago in April, Saddam's reign ended. Today, the situation seems worse, but this is also a period of new possibilities for the Church. Praise God for the opportunities to distribute Christian literature. Praise God too for several socio-economic projects, such as a woodwork shop, that are ongoing in Iraq.
Pray
- The Gospel will change Iraq from the inside out;
- That young men will be trained and become good carpenters so that they can make a living by it; and
- For the teams involved in the translation of Scriptures and Christian books into the two main Kurdish languages.
North Korea
In 2009, life got worse for the 200,000 to 400,000 Christians in North Korea which topped the Open Doors World Watch List for the eighth consecutive year.
The list, compiled annually by Open Doors, ranks the 50 hardest countries in the world in which to practise Christianity.
A 150-day "combat" campaign saw strict house searches that resulted in hundreds of arrests of Christians, many of whom were sent to join roughly 50,000 to 70,000 other Christians in concentration camps.
Said a veteran North Korea watcher, "Christians are the target of fierce government action, and once caught, are not regarded as human - this year we have evidence that they are used as guinea pigs to test chemical and biological weapons."
Despite these extreme conditions, the number of Christians in North Korea has grown in the past 10 years.
Pray
- That our brethren will remain steadfast in their hope in God. May they experience God's divine joy despite their sufferings;
- They will receive God's ever-present help in every situation; and
- For God's protection from the evil one who can harm their bodies but cannot touch their souls.
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