Today we're going to lift up Nigeria. Violence has been a large part of this country's history, especially for religious reasons. Nigeria has a large Muslim population in the North and a small Christian population in the South, causing Christians to be the targets of much persecution and murder. In a recent local government election, Muslims became angry with the outcome, believing Christians had tampered with the votes to get who they wanted in office. Consequently violence broke out and it is reported about three to four hundred people have been killed, both Muslim and Christian. A man named Issac who is an Open Doors representative, an organization dedicated to bringing the gospel to closed Nations, in the capital of Nigeria, Jos, was targeted by Muslims and miraculously he and his family escaped before they were killed. Many churches have been destroyed, and Christians are being killed. One churches pastor was murdered as the church building was burnt to the ground. With Nigeria's long history of conflict, violence, and murder between Muslim's and Christians, there is fear that this will lead to another civil war of sorts.
Please Pray:
- Praise God for protecting Isaac and his family.
- The violence in Jos has calmed down a bit, but the situation remains tense. Please pray for Christians in Nigeria, as the situation is not yet resolved.
- Pray that the police and military will be able to contain the violence without losing too many lives.
- Pray for all Christians to remain calm and not be tempted to participate in the violence.
- Pray for opportunities for the gospel to touch Muslim hearts, and they would cease being angry and come to know the God of Peace.
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