One in Ten Eritrean Evangelicals Imprisoned

Has the Lord given you a burden for a nation?  He has for me, and one of them is Eritrea, so when I read this prayer request, I just had to share it with you.  The statistics are amazing.  And when you consider that the majority of Christians in the world are persecuted, it's even more amazing.  American Christian - are you taking your freedom seriously?  I hope so.

New information obtained by Compass Direct suggests that at least 1,918 Eritrean Christians are presently in prison and subjected to torture and forced labour because of their faith. According to Release Eritrea, approximately one in ten Eritrean evangelicals is presently being detained. One fourth of those in prison have been there for two or more years. Ninety-five percent of known religious prisoners of conscience in Eritrea are Christians. None have been brought before a court of law to be charged or tried.

During the month of August, at least twenty-nine Christians were arrested. Authorities have also clamped down on relief and development efforts of the Kalehiwet Church and are threatening to close an Anglican elementary school in Asmara.

Pray that those in prison will remain faithful to the Lord. Pray that they will be encouraged in the fact that God is with them in their afflictions (Isaiah 63:9). Pray that God will move the hearts of Eritrean authorities to stop the oppression of God's people.

For more information on Eritrea and the persecution of Christians there, go to www.persecution.net/country/eritrea.htm. Testimonies of Christian Eritreans who have been forced to flee their country have recently been added to VOMC's multimedia website, www.persecution.tv. Log on to hear their stirring accounts.