WEEKLY SUMMARY: India, Laos and Eritrea (3 Sept. 08)
“I promise that the time will come when I will appoint a king from the family of David, a king who will be honest and rule with justice.” (Jeremiah 33:15, CEV)
IN THIS ISSUE
INDIA: Prayer and fasting in the face of violent attacks in Orissa
LAOS: Christians refuse to renounce faith despite government pressure
ERITREA: Detained refugees in Saudi on hunger strike
HOME GROUP PRAYER
INDIA: PRAYER AND FASTING IN THE FACE OF VIOLENT ATTACKS IN ORISSA
1 September - Christian leaders have called for prayer and fasting across India on 7 September in response to on-going anti-Christian attacks in the eastern state of Orissa. As of 1 September, at least 36 were reported dead while about 4,000 Christian families were homeless.
In the aftermath of the murder of a Hindu swami by unknown assailants on 23 August, mobs attacked the Christian community across the eastern state of Orissa. Compass Direct subsequently reported that Maoists claimed responsibility for the murder.
Media reports and eye witness accounts indicate thousands of Christian properties burnt, sexual assaults against nuns, and pastors killed in their homes. On 29 August, 10,000 Christians held a peaceful march in New Delhi joined by Muslims, Buddhists and progressive Hindus, seeking adequate government response to the violence. All India Christian Council (AICC) called for the closure of 50,000 Christian schools on the same day and encouraged people to pray for the victims and perpetrators. AICC also wrote India’s Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, demanding legal action against those responsible for the attacks. (AICC, Compass Direct)
LAOS: CHRISTIANS REFUSE TO RENOUNCE FAITH DESPITE GOVERNMENT PRESSURE
28 August - Lao Christians continue to face increased pressure from government authorities for worshiping God and refusing to renounce their faith.
On 3 August, house church leader Pastor Sompong and two young people named Boot and Khamsavan were detained after being arrested during Sunday worship in Boukham village, Savannakhet province. On 25 August, when relatives visited them, officials tightened the handcuffs and wooden stocks on the hands and feet of Boot and Khamsavan, causing severe pain. A police officer told the relatives: “This is the consequence of not signing documents to renounce your faith.” The village chief told the relatives to apply for bail for the two young people, but Pastor Sompong was not entitled to bail because his penalty was life imprisonment for leading the church.
In Donphai village, Attapue province, the village chief imposed a fine upon Christians for holding a worship service when animistic ceremonies were conducted by villagers. The fine was 700,000 Lao kip (USD83), a pig and a pot of rice wine. Villagers refused to pay the fine and continue with their worship services.
In Toongpankham village, Borikhamxay province, officials reprimanded 150 Christians for having a worship service at home, demanding that they meet in a church building even though the officials had torn down their church building this January. (Compass Direct)
ERITREA: DETAINED REFUGEES IN SAUDI ON HUNGER STRIKE
27 August - To call the attention of the international community on the plight of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers, 14 Eritreans in a Saudi detention centre have gone on a hunger strike. They are among 28 refugees and asylum seekers in Gizan Detenton Centre being held from three to seven years. In Libya, hundreds of Eritrean refugees including 30 children recently ended a five-day hunger strike aimed at persuading the international community, particularly the European Union, to facilitate their resettlement to third countries. Meanwhile, in Wi’a military camp in Eritrea, at least 1000 are detained under harsh and abusive conditions. These detainees are refugees and asylum seekers returned to Eritrea by the Egyptian government. The camp is located in a place of extreme heat, used during the Italian colonial period for severe punishment. (CSW UK)
HOME GROUP PRAYER
Father God,
We pray for India, Laos and Eritrea. Let there be real peace, freedom and justice in these places, Lord. We pray for wisdom for the leaders of government and various religious groups in India on how to respond to the violence. We pray for every man, woman and child whose lives have been affected by these attacks because of the loss of loved ones, homes and property. Replace their fear and uncertainty with hope, Lord. We claim Jeremiah 29:11 for them, for you have said: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Amidst the carnage, may there be “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3)
We pray for Pastor Sompong, Boot and Khamsavan in Laos, and all Christians who are being pressured to renounce their faith. We look up to them for their determination to worship you openly and without fear despite the pressure, and we reflect upon our own frailty in this regard. Empower us all to speak up for you even when it is not the popular thing to do, as we remember our brothers and sisters in Laos who insist on declaring their faith upon you in difficult circumstances.
We also pray for all refugees and asylum seekers from Eritrea, and the thousand now detained in Wi’a military camp facing persecution after being returned by the Egyptian government. Stay the hand of the persecutors Lord. Cover the detainees with your veil of protection to withstand the terrible conditions in detention. May there be freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners.
We also pray for ourselves, that we will continue to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you, our God. (Micah 6:8)
All these we ask in the powerful name of Jesus Christ your son. Amen.
By: Chato Olivas-Gallo
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