Christians Face Mob Attacks at Christmas

INDIA: In one city, a mob of Hindu extremists stormed a Christmas service, causing such chaos the police intervened. In another city, crowds of Hindus pressed together outside a cathedral, yelling and chanting as Christians worshipped. In yet another location, radical groups forced Christians to end their Christmas celebrations. (Global Christian Relief, FB reel, December 29, 2024)

PAKISTAN: On Christmas Eve, Muslims showed up at Pastor Shahzad Siddique’s home to harass him and his guests as they prepared for Christmas. The next day, more than a dozen gunmen opened fire on Christians gathered outside the pastor’s home in Maryam Colony, Lahore, and wounded three. Pastor Siddique’s uncle Arif Masih and driver Adnan Pervaiz, are recovering, but the third Christian, Akash Patras, who was shot in the abdomen, is in serious condition. (Christian Daily International-Morning Star News, December 27)

NIGERIA: On December 22, Fulani herdsmen killed 15 Christians, including a baby and a child, and set dozens of houses on fire in Danwal village, Plateau state, during the hours of a government curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. (CDI-MSN, December 30)

SUDAN: On December 30, as 177 Christians of the Sudanese Church of Christ in Al Jazirah state prayed and fasted together for military conflict to end, RSF forces attacked them, wounding 14. Among those in critical condition is Mina Joseph, 18, the daughter of a church elder. (MSN, December 31)

UGANDA: Shortly after James Mukenye Habiibu and his wife left Islam to follow Jesus three years ago, they received death threats from Muslim relatives and fled their home. At the end of last year, they returned, and while James was out on a gospel outreach trip December 17, Jafari, Swaibu and other Islamic extremists from Kagumu murdered him. James was the father of three children, ages 2, 4 and 7. (MSN, December 26)

Lord, please be a Shield around every Christian in all the Earth. Surround us with Your angel armies. Go before us, behind us, within us, and walk beside us. Be our Might Fortress, O God, Your people have suffered so much for Your glory all throughout the world this past month, as we celebrated the wonder of Jesus’ birth. Please, bring forth great good out of so much evil. Save the souls of Jafari, Swaibu, and every other persecutor in each of these cases. Visit them in their dreams and show them Your plan for their salvation. Break their hearts for the evil they have done. Give them visions throughout the day that leave them with such fear of the Lord that they lay down their hatred, false religion and weapons of violence and surrender to Your love. Please heal Arif, Adnan, Akash, Mina and the other Christians who were injured in these attacks. Save their lives and restore their strength. Be with them and all those related to them who are shocked and in mourning. Comfort them with Your love. Restore their peace. Meet them in their nightmares and fight for their security. Heal their minds and hearts. Flow Your love through them, giving them courage and resolve, through the power of Your grace, to forgive. Let every Muslim filled with hatred, or sick of all the murder and violence, see Your love in Your people and know Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, for the love of those who love Him is so great. Bring forth a mighty church planting movement among Muslims in all these countries, with thousands turning to Christ. Take what the enemy meant for evil and crush him with Your armies, never to rise again in these places and hearts. May Your kingdom come. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.

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