Day: February 18, 2013

Please Pray for the Few Christians in Maldives – World Watch List # 6

Please Pray for the Few Christians in Maldives – World Watch List #6

Peanut Gallery: Sharia law in “paradise”… no place for Christians.

2013, Novemer 13, News from Maldives: “An American citizen linked to the Bangladeshi who was caught bringing books on Christianity written in Dhivehi into the country, has been blacklisted and banned from entering the Maldives. Maldives Customs said that the American, Kevin Thomas Greenson, was blacklisted following the collection of sufficient evidence by the Police of his connection with the Bangladeshi, Jathis Biswas, 44. Jathis Biswas has also been deported, following accusations of spreading other religions in Maldives in cooperation with a group of Maldivians. Customs found 11 books on Christianity with Jathis Biswas, who arrived in Maldives on 27 September 2012 on Sri Lankan Airlines.” (SunOnline)

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The Maldivian economy is to a large degree based on tourism.

This is the only country in the world which requires all citizens to be Muslim. [The government does not distinguish between national and expat believers.] Conversion to another faith is prohibited by law and converts face extreme persecution from family and society – often having to leave the country. The authorities exert extensive control on the people to correct any deviation from Islam. There are no church gatherings or buildings. Religion is moving towards Deobandi Islam – the religion of the Taliban, whose mission is to cleanse Islam of all other influences. There are very few indigenous Christians. (Open Doors UK)

Pray:

  • For the handful of secret believers to grow in the love of God
  • For young people who seek education outside the islands. Pray that they will receive the gospel and return to share it with their communities
  • That the translation of the New Testament into the Dhivehi language would be completed.

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Open Doors Background: The Maldives are well-known as a dream destination for holidays. The islands are located in the midst of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by blue water and white beaches stretched out under the blazing sun. This is the picture authorities want to give to the outside world. The harsh attitude the government takes towards all Christian believers is less known, darkening the lovely picture of the country considerably. Continue reading “Please Pray for the Few Christians in Maldives – World Watch List # 6” →

Morning Reading: Luke 9.23-27 NLT – via dolorosa

Reading: Luke 9.23-27 NLT

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

In the old town of Jerusalem, paving the way of Jesus Christ, the traditional Way of the Cross took place on the Good Friday towards Saint Sepulchre.
In the old town of Jerusalem, paving the way of Jesus Christ, the traditional Way of the Cross took place on the Good Friday towards Saint Sepulchre.

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – you call me to let go of my life… to give up anything that gets in the way of my relationship with you. Forgive me for clinging to the things of this sinful and dying world… trying to drag them along with me on the via dolorosa. You are my Lord and my God. Give me the courage to drop my baggage.. take up the cross you give me to bear… and follow you today. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Take Up Your Cross” – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir (YouTube)