In the last two months, Rwanda has shut down 9,800 locations where Christians gather to pray and worship, demanding safety standards, well-trained pastors and taxes on income. (August 29, Christianity Today)
The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), which oversees the East African country’s places of worship, differentiates between officially registered churches and “prayer houses,” other locations Christians gather for worship under existing churches. After inspecting 14,000 prayer houses in July, the RGB closed 70 percent of them for not meeting building codes and other safety and hygiene regulations, and for allegedly exploiting followers financially.
Rwanda is 89% Christian, nearly 27% of those evangelicals, but few prayer houses have the financial ability to comply with requirements to reopen, which include air conditioning, greenery, toilets in close proximity and theological education for leaders, among other items on a long list. Surrounding Rwanda are some of the most dangerous countries on Earth for Christians.
Lord, please make the way for Christians to gather freely and worship You, but also to keep their congregations safe, especially from cults and false doctrine. Provide the funds for truly faithful followers of Christ to share the gospel freely and disciple new believers. Give Christians favor with authorities and make the way for all the more churches to be planted. Raise up teachers and pastors strong in the Word, who will preach accurately and filled with Your Spirit’s empowering. Bring back the prodigals. Save young people from gangs and drugs. Convert thieves and terrorists from violence to loving others and preaching the good news. And increase Your church by the thousands. Grow every believer strong in faith, hope and love; deep in truth; and courageous in forgiveness, grace and boldly sharing the gospel. Turn all who worship spirits away from their rituals, breaking their chains to the enemy and setting them free to bow only to You, Jesus. Awaken Rwanda to You. Bring lost officials into Your Kingdom and open the doors for those You have anointed to preach Your good news. But expose every cult leader and those who are bent on harming others. Raise up older women who will teach the younger women how to be loving wives. Raise up Christian men who will teach the younger generations to love and serve their wives. Raise up families wholly committed to You, Lord, and protect them from enemy attacks. Make the way for Your church to grow all the stronger in You in the midst of these regulations. Wherever Your faithful followers can no longer gather, miraculously provide for all things needed and every regulation met. And in the meantime, gather people together in safe and legal ways. Don’t allow the enemy to win this battle, Lord. Send out Your angels and fight for Your people. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
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