Boko Haram – The Peanut Gallery

Persecuted Church: Nigeria North – World Watch List #13 (Open Doors UK)

Population: 166.6 million (88 million Christians)
Main Religion: Islam
Source of Persecution: Islamic extremism

The Islamist agenda to bring Nigeria under the ‘House of Islam’ versus the election of a southern Christian as President has caused much unrest. The Islamist group, Boko Haram, has claimed the lives of at least 800 Christians. The decisions of local government, especially in the twelve northern Sharia states, mean that Christians experience restrictions in schooling, threats of abduction, forced marriage, as well as denial of employment, clean water and healthcare. It is dangerous to convert and for churches to integrate new converts.

Please Pray:

Give thanks that believers are responding to recent pressure with increased prayer, evangelism and care for Muslim Background Believers
That Christian youths will resist the temptation to respond with violence to Muslim attacks
For Open Doors workers providing emergency support and trauma counseling to victims of attacks.

Persecution dynamics

The pattern of persecution in Nigeria is complex, especially for the twelve northern Sharia states, where local government and social groups leave hardly any space for Christians to live their own lives.

Conversion is dangerous and Muslim-background believers and Christians in many northern states suffer restrictions in schooling, threats of abduction and forced marriage. They have also been denied employment and facilities such as clean water, clinics and roads. It is very difficult for churches to openly integrate new converts from Islam.

Persecution levels vary across the country and are underlined by terrorist action and an unpredictable environment, which leaves Christians living in fear. Continue reading “Please pray for Nigerian Christians – World Watch List #13” →

Peanut Gallery: Warning – the news report from Nigeria is graphic and disturbing.

Northern Nigeria: “Mubi town fell victim to a terrorist attack on 2 October 2012 when suspected members of Boko Haram entered the town at around 10pm and started to kill indiscriminately. The victims were mostly students from the three educational institutions based in the town. The death toll was put at 25 initially, however, the number is said to be closer to 45.”

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

PRAYER: Lord, in our relatively safe homes, it is difficult for us to wrap our minds around the tragedy that has occurred yet again in Nigeria. We pray for those who have lost loved ones in this night of terror. Comfort them as only You can do. And break the power of fear that has been cast over them that they might have the courage to meet the challenges of each new day. And protect them, Lord. Where the government has been uncaring or impotent or even part of the violence, change their hearts to stand for justice. And may all know that it is You who has brought about justice in this place. Amen

FULL STORY BELOW –

Christians Targeted in Nigeria’s University Killings, Students Say

The gunmen who killed at least 46 people in Nigeria’s northwestern town of Mubi on Monday (Oct. 1) first asked them if they were Christians before shooting or knifing them, according to students who escaped the carnage.

Two students from the off-campus housing site in the Mubi suburb of Wuro Fatuje, Adamawa state, where the massacre took place, told Morning Star News that the assailants were ethnic Hausa Muslims who shouted “Allahu Akbar [Allah is greater]” as they shot or stabbed hostel residents. One of the students said the assailants also torched a church building in nearby Tudun Wada the same night.

The students speculated that non-Christian victims among the dead were killed by mistake or suspected of collaborating with security agency raids in Mubi last month that resulted in the round-up of 156 members of Islamic extremist group Boko Haram and the death of one of its leaders.

The gunmen invaded the off-campus housing site serving three Mubi schools Continue reading “Please pray for believers in Northern Nigeria – Christian students Killed by Boko Haram” →