Saturday  the beloved Vice President of Sudan died in an unexpected helicopter crash and now Christians in Sudan are praying for peace to reign in this predominantly Muslim nation after a series of riots on Monday.

Vice President John Garang was "instrumental in keeping Islamic law from being enforced in Southern Sudan, clearing the way for more Christian missions and freedom of conscience" said Matthew Chancey of the The Persecution Project.

Monday morning on The 700 Club Pat Robertson speculated that maybe the helicopter accident was actually an assassination.  Others are also speculating about whether this death was caused by a notorious Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).

Operating from bases in southern Sudan, the LRA has been fighting for some 18 years to overthrow the Ugandan government. Reports have known for abducting thousands of children forced to become soldiers or concubines for rebels.

The death of Garang will have a continued impact in Sudan and we will need to pray for the stability of that region daily as the government begins to recover from this tragedy.

Wikipedia has reported that the government has called for three days of national mourning.  And Garang's successor  Salva Kiir Mayardit, stated that the peace process would continue.

John Garang's obituary can be read here.