Tuesday, November 28, 2023

RLPB 721. November 2023 Update, incl. Nigeria, Mali, Middle East & South Caucasus, Nepal

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 721 | Wed 29 Nov 2023
RLPB is published weekly to facilitate strategic intercessory prayer.

View RLPB archives at Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin blog.
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NOVEMBER 2023 UPDATE & ROUNDUP
By Elizabeth Kendal

ANNOUNCEMENT

Two separate health issues have meant that 2023 has been, for me, a very difficult year. Both issues will require attention into 2024.

I have come to accept that, after 24 years and roughly 1,250 religious liberty prayer bulletins, the time has come to retire the weekly Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin (RLPB) ministry. While I know I will continue to read, research, and remain engaged, I also know I need to stop writing – at least for a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

I will keep the www.ElizabethKendal.com website live, developing it and adding to it as I am able.

I will also keep my religiouslibertyprayer Instagram account live, using it to: (1) facilitate intercessory prayer for the persecuted Church; (2) share information that is relevant to suffering Church issues; (3) encourage and promote prayer as integral and indispensable to Christian and Church life; and (4) publish any personal announcements/news I might wish to make.

The RLPB and RLM archives will remain on-line for research purposes at:
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin
https://rlprayerbulletin.blogspot.com/
Religious Liberty Monitoring
https://elizabethkendal.blogspot.com/

Next week’s RLPB 722 (6 Dec 2023), will be the final RLPB.

Until then, every blessing to you
Elizabeth Kendal

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UPDATE: DURING NOVEMBER 2023 WE PRAYED CONCERNING

BURKINA FASO (RLPB 718, 8 Nov), as Islamic terrorists aligned with al-Qaeda and Islamic State retain control of around 40 percent of the country. The capital Ouagadougou is gradually being encircled, its critical transit routes imperilled and cut. At least 46 locations are totally besieged, leaving Christians trapped, persecuted and totally cut off from the outside world. Violence is escalating. Aid to the Church in Need’s interview with Fr Pierre Rouamba, the prior-general of Missionary Brothers of the Countryside (FMC), is a must-read! We must not forget our brothers and sisters in Burkina Faso. Please pray!

UGANDA (RLPB 719, 15 Nov), after recent convert Hajara Namwase (32) was dowsed in gasoline, and set alight as punishment (likely an attempted honour-killing) for leaving Islam. The perpetrator – her Muslim husband Musa Kalele (42) – fled to South Sudan, leaving their three young children in the care of his mother. Originally from Budaka in Eastern Region, Hajara is receiving specialised burns treatment in Kampala. Please pray!

NIGERIA (RLPB 720, 22 Nov), to praise and thank God that, after 28 months as a hostage to Muslim terrorists in Kaduna, Treasure Ayuba (now aged 14) had escaped from his captors and found his way home ‘in answer to the prayers of many’ (2 Corinthians 1:11). Treasure’s liberation inspires us to persevere in prayer for the 100 (of 276) ‘Chibok girls’ who, after being abducted in April 2014, remain missing to this day; and for Leah Sharibu (now aged 20). Abducted in February 2018, Islamic State jihadists retain Leah as a ‘slave’ precisely because she insists on remaining Christian. Lord have mercy! We also lamented the loss of two ECWA pastors slain by Muslim militants in mid-November. Please pray for the traumatised and imperilled Church in Northern Nigeria.

UPDATE to RLPB 717, Blasphemy in Bauchi, 1 Nov 2023
- Mrs Rhoda Jatau to remain in jail.

On Monday 27 November the Bauchi State High Court threw out the No-Case Submission put forward by advocates defending Christian healthcare worker, Rhoda Jatau; with bail denied, she remains incarcerated. Rhoda Jatau has been held in detention since May 2022 for forwarding a video in which a Ghanian Christian convert (from Islam) condemned the mob lynching of Christian student Deborah Emmanuel (triggered by a vexatious accusation of blasphemy). As noted in RLPB 717: ‘Human rights attorney Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri told TruthNigeria (17 Oct) that if, on 27 November, the No-Case Submission is successful, then Mrs Rhoda Jatau would be acquitted and released in what would be a great win for religious freedom in the country. However, if the submission is rejected, then Jatau could remain in jail indefinitely.’ The ruling bodes ill for Christians across Northern Nigeria. Please pray for Mrs Rhoda Jatau and her family; may the Spirit of God sustain and comfort them; may our sovereign Lord deliver justice.


NOVEMBER 2023 ROUND-UP – ALSO THIS MONTH

* MALI: ABDUCTED PRIEST IS RELEASED
Update to RLPB 704, Mali: Catholic Priest Abducted …seven and a half months missing, 2 Aug 2023.

Released: Father Ha-Jo
(via Aid to the Church in Need)

After twelve months in captivity, Reverend Hans-Joachim Lohre (66) is free! The German priest, affectionately known as Father Ha-Jo, had been abducted in Bamako on Sunday 20 November 2022. While circumstances of the release remain unclear, the release was reportedly negotiated directly by the German government. On Sunday 26 November 2023 the terrorists released Father Ha-Jo into the hands of Malian authorities, who delivered him into the custody of German representatives who immediately placed him on a special flight to Germany. [It is quite possible that the jihadists had demanded the priest’s removal from the country (after more than 30 years of ministry) as one of the conditions of his release.] Praise and thank God that Father Ha-Jo is now free. Pray for a breakthrough against jihadists in Mali. Pray for Mali’s imperilled Church.

* MIDDLE EAST AND SOUTH CAUCASUS
Update to RLPB 702, Christian Crisis in Azerbaijan and Iraq, 19 July 2023.

Webinar, 14 Nov 2023
Watch on YouTube

On 14 November, Melbourne School of Theology’s Arthur Jeffery Centre held a webinar on the topic: ‘How the Current Middle Eastern Conflicts Affect Local Christians’, with Dr Mark Durie and special guest Elizabeth Kendal. After Dr Durie spoke on the history of Muslim-Christian relations in the Middle East and the reality of dhimmitude (a state of subjugation under Islam – something everyone needs to understand) I was able to share my concerns for Christians across the wider region. I am particularly concerned that escalating conflict in the Palestinian Territories could trigger hostility against churches in Jordan and Egypt; and that, should war spread to Lebanon and Syria (as appears likely), it could spell the end of remnant Christian communities there.

I am also concerned that war in the Middle East could act as a smokescreen for ethnic cleansing elsewhere: specifically of Assyrians in Iraq and of Armenians in Transcaucasia (the South Caucasus). From the west and the east, Turkey and Azerbaijan have their eyes on Armenia’s southernmost province of Syunik. Turkey’s President Erdogan dreams of creating a pan-Turkic Middle Corridor as part of China’s Belt & Road Initiative. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev claims Syunik – and much of Armenian territory – is historically Azerbaijani, referring to it as ‘Western Azerbaijan’. In September we witnessed the ethnic cleansing of Armenians out of Nagorno-Karabakh (land they have inhabited for millennia) [RLPB 712 (27 Sep)]; will Syunik be next? [See ElizabethKendal.com / Global Persecution / Transcaucasia.] Even more existential is the threat in Iraq, where a final solution to drive the Assyrian remnant out of the Nineveh Plains (the historic Assyrian heartland) is well underway. In recent weeks Iran-backed Shi’ite militias have escalated their attacks against US military bases and forces. If war returns to Iraq, only God himself will be able save Iraq’s remnant indigenous Assyrian Christians. [See RLPB label/Iraq.] Please pray!

* NEPAL: THE BATTLE FOR NEPAL HEATS UP
Update to RLPB 710, The Battle for Nepal, 13 Sep 2023

On Thursday 23 November tens of thousands of Nepalis marched through Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, demanding the restoration of the Hindu monarchy and Nepal’s status as a Hindu state. They clashed with opposition Communists who, while also demanding the removal of the government, are totally opposed to a return of the bad-old-days of Hindu monarchy. They also clashed with police who were forced to resort to batons and tear gas to restore order. The pro-Hindu monarchy sentiment is driven by mass disaffection with the political process which has resulted in political paralysis, devastating corruption, soaring unemployment and galloping inflation. Furthermore, Hindu nationalists are desperate to arrest the rapid growth of Christianity in the country. On Friday 24 November tens of thousands of Nepalis thronged the streets of Jhapa in Nepal’s far southeast to see King Gyanendra unveil a statue of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal. With more events and protests planned in which violence is anticipated, security is being ramped up across the country.

Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya with his wife, Junu.
via ADF International

The popular shift towards Hindu monarchy and Hindu nationalism bodes ill for the Church in Nepal; we must expect persecution to escalate. In this context, the precedent set by a recent court decision further elevates the risk the Church faces. On 30 November 2021 a court deemed Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya (35) guilty of proselytising and sentenced him to two years in prison and a fine (reduced on appeal to one year in prison). On 6 October 2023 the Supreme Court dismissed Pastor Acharya’s second appeal without affording it any consideration. He now awaits a call to present himself to prison. 

Many fear the imprisonment of Pastor Acharya could trigger a flood of accusations of ‘proselytism’ or ‘forced conversion’ – without evidence. In Pastor Acharya’s case, witnesses told the court that the pastor did not ask them to convert, but only gave them tracts, which they read and discarded. Pastor Acharya and his wife Junu lead the 250-member Abundant Harvest Church in Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city after Kathmandu, 200 km to the east.  Junu, dreads the day her husband is summoned to prison. She lamented to Morning Star News (15 Nov): ‘What can I do when that day comes, except pray? I must take care of the church as well as my children and provide for them.’ Fortunately, we do know that God hears, loves and has power to save. Please pray for Pastor Keshab Acharya and his family, and for the Church in Nepal.

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Elizabeth Kendal is an international religious liberty analyst and advocate for the persecuted Church. The Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin (RLPB) is a donor funded ministry. To support this ministry visit www.ElizabethKendal.com

Elizabeth has authored two books: Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah Speaks to Christians Today (Deror Books, Melbourne, Australia, Dec 2012) which offers a Biblical response to persecution and existential threat; and After Saturday Comes Sunday: Understanding the Christian Crisis in the Middle East (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, OR, USA, June 2016). She is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam at Melbourne School of Theology.

For more information see www.ElizabethKendal.com

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

RLPB 720. Nigeria: Treasure is free; many remain missing

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 720 | 22 Nov 2023
RLPB is published weekly to facilitate strategic intercessory prayer.

Sign up for the RLPB at www.ElizabethKendal.com  
View RLPB archives at Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin blog.
For bite size follow religiouslibertyprayer on Instagram

NIGERIA: TREASURE IS FREE; MANY REMAIN MISSING
By Elizabeth Kendal

In the early hours of Monday 5 July 2021 armed Fulani Muslims invaded Damishi village, in Chikun Local Government Area (LGA), southern Kaduna, in Nigeria’s North West Region. After breaching the walls of Bethel Baptist High School, the militants overpowered security and abducted 121 students from the school’s boarding hostel [RLPB 605 (7 July 2021)]. Over the next few months, the militants released children in batches as churches joined forces to raise ransom [RLPB 623 (10 Nov 2021)]. By 1 January 2022 only one student remained in captivity. Having only just turned 12, Treasure Ayuba was the youngest to be taken. As reported in RLPB 634 (22 Feb 2022) the terrorists had groomed and manipulated the traumatised boy to such an extent that when ransom was delivered to secure his freedom, he refused to leave. Convinced they had secured a convert, the terrorists put the boy to work, running errands…

Treasure Ayuba meets with
(left) Rev Dr Israel Akanji,
President Nigerian Baptist Convention, and
(right) Rev Joseph Hayab, chairman CAN, Kaduna.


…‘but the church was earnestly praying to God for him’ (v5, from Acts 12:1-19 NIV). And as the church earnestly prayed, the Spirit of God got to work bringing a liberating clarity to the young boy’s traumatised mind. Eventually, at some time around the end of October, after 28 months in captivity, Treasure (now aged 14) went out on an errand and did not return. He travelled at night and hid by day until he found hunters who took him to his hometown. Open Doors reports: ‘His mum didn’t know he’d escaped until he turned up in her doorway – an answer to her faithful prayers and the prayers of many Christians around the world.’ On Thursday night 2 November, the Nigeria Baptist Convention confirmed that Treasure Ayuba had been reunited with his family. Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna described Treasure’s escape as ‘a miracle’. A miracle indeed – ‘in answer to the prayers of many’ (2 Corinthians 1:11).

Still, many Christians abducted in Northern Nigeria remain missing. On the night of 14-15 April 2014, Boko Haram terrorists abducted 276 girls aged 16-18 from the student hostel at the Government Girls Secondary School in the mostly Christian town of Chibok, in Borno State, in Nigeria’s North East Region [RLPB 257 (23 April 2014)]. Around 100 of those girls remain missing to this day. On 19 February 2018, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) abducted 110 girls from the Government Girls Science and Technical School in Dapchi, Yobe State, also in Nigeria’s North East Region. One month later, having been criticised for targeting Muslims, the terrorists returned the girls to their families – all except one! The terrorists retained Leah Sharibu (14), a Christian, because despite being given the opportunity, she steadfastly refused to convert to Islam to secure her release [RLPB 448 (28 Mar 2018)]. Leah (now aged 20) remains in captivity – a ‘slave’ of ISWAP – to this day.

 Slain ECWA pastors:
(left) Rev David Musa, killed 14 Nov 2023
(right) Rev Amako Maraya, killed 17 Nov 2023.

On Saturday 11 November 2023 Muslim militants abducted the Reverend David Musa of the ECWA (Evangelical Church Winning All) church in Obajana area, Lokoja LGA, Kogi State – which is in North Central Region and south of the capital, Abuja. On 14 November, after the terrorists received the ransom payment from the church, they killed him. On Friday night 17 November 2023, Fulani militants invaded Damakasuwa village in Southern Kaduna’s Kauru LGA. They killed the Reverend Amako Maraya, who leads the Second ECWA church in Damakasuwa, and abducted his wife. It was second time the pastor’s house had been targeted in three months. Pastor Maraya’s widow, Mrs Grace Maraya, was released on Sunday evening 19 November after the church paid the ransom; she was immediately hospitalised with severe trauma.


PLEASE PRAY THAT OUR GRACIOUS GOD WILL:

* thoroughly infiltrate conflict-ravaged, terrorist-infested and chronically insecure Northern Nigeria to bring peace to all peoples and liberty to all captives.

* orchestrate a breakthrough in Nigeria’s complex and multi-theatre war with Islamic jihadists: may the corrupt politicians and military officers who facilitate this war for personal and/or economic gain and/or for ideological reasons be exposed as traitors to their country and removed from their positions of power and influence. May Nigerians desire and demand something better from their leaders: e.g. righteousness and honour.

* intervene in the spiritual realm to restrain evil so that grace and truth might advance in the nation. May Nigeria’s courageous missionary-sending Church continue to grow despite her many martyrs. In this intense spiritual battle for Nigeria, may Jesus Christ have the victory!

We praise and thank-you Lord for liberating Treasure Ayuba; may the Holy Spirit bring healing to this deeply traumatised boy and to Nigeria’s deeply traumatised Church: in this we pray especially for Rev Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna, who for many years has served as the Kaduna Church’s ‘first responder’, negotiator, spokesperson and pastor.

REMINDER: please pray for the blasphemy trial resuming in Bauchi on 27 November, as lawyers representing Rhoda Jatau present their ‘No-Case Submission’. Lord have mercy. [For more information and specific prayer requests see RLPB 717, Blasphemy in Bauchi, 1 Nov 2023.]

Psalm for the imperilled, traumatised Christians of Northern Nigeria: Psalm 146
excerpts:
Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation… The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind… he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
AMEN (‘so be it’!)


SUMMARY FOR BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE
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NIGERIA: TREASURE IS FREE; MANY REMAIN MISSING


In July 2021 Treasure Ayuba (12) was the youngest among 121 children abducted from Bethel Baptist High School, southern Kaduna. Local churches joined forces to make ransom payments, and by January 2022, Treasure alone remained in captivity. Believing they had secured a convert, Treasure’s captors put him to work. Meanwhile, ‘the church was earnestly praying to God for him’ (Acts 12:5). On 2 November 2023 Church leaders in Kaduna confirmed that Treasure Ayuba (now aged 14) had escaped and returned to his family. Thank-you Lord! Meanwhile, around 100 of the 276 teenage girls abducted by terrorists from the Christian community of Chibok in April 2014, remain missing. Likewise, five years after her abduction in February 2018, Leah Sharibu (now aged 20) remains ‘a slave’ of Islamic State jihadists. Please pray.

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Elizabeth Kendal is an international religious liberty analyst and advocate for the persecuted Church. The Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin (RLPB) is a donor funded ministry. To support this ministry visit www.ElizabethKendal.com

Elizabeth has authored two books: Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah Speaks to Christians Today (Deror Books, Melbourne, Australia, Dec 2012) which offers a Biblical response to persecution and existential threat; and After Saturday Comes Sunday: Understanding the Christian Crisis in the Middle East (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, OR, USA, June 2016). She is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam at Melbourne School of Theology.

For more information see www.ElizabethKendal.com