Three Christians have gone missing in Malaysia – and friends fear they have been abducted because of their church work.
Pastor Raymond Koh was reportedly taken from his car in Petaling Jaya city last week. Another pastor and his wife, who have not been named, went missing a month ago, Release partners say.
Please pray that God will protect these three Malaysian Christians – and bring them safely home.
Pastor Raymond, who is of Chinese descent, has previously received threats from jihadists. Officials are denying all knowledge of their disappearance.
Christians in Malaysia are increasingly concerned about the growing threat to religious freedom. Parliament is currently debating a Bill proposing that parts of a strict Islamic penal code (hudud) are incorporated into the country’s legal system. Prime Minister Najib Razak supports the Bill, apparently to win favour among hardline Muslims ahead of next year’s general elections.
- Please pray for the immediate release of Pastor Raymond and the two other Christians who have been abducted.
- Ask God to give His peace to the kidnapped Christians’ families, including Pastor Raymond’s wife, Susanna, and their children.
- Pray that God’s people will stand firm in their faith as an Islamist political agenda gathers momentum in Malaysia.
(Sources: Release partners; Reuters, The Star, Malaysia)
UPDATES
Please continue to pray for our American brother Pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been behind bars in Turkey since October after false accusations he has links with terrorists. Last week, US Senate committees sent a letter signed by 78 members of Congress to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, asking for Andrew’s unconditional release. Pray he will be freed immediately. (Source: Middle East Concern)
Our partners in Pakistan request prayer for Christians accused of killing two men suspected of suicide bomb attacks on two churches in Youhannabad, Lahore, in March 2015. The two suspects were killed during riots that followed the blasts: it was later claimed the two dead men were innocent and 42 Christians were subsequently charged with their murder. Lawyers are contesting the trial of 32 of the Christians at the Anti-Terrorist Court in Lahore this week. Pray that these 32 men will be set free. Pray too that God will protect their legal representatives. (Source: Release partners)