As their country plunges into turmoil, believers in Kazakhstan are asking us to pray.
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has now ordered security forces to 'kill without warning' in an effort to crush protests against rising fuel prtices, inflation, unemployment, low wages and political corruption. Dozens of people have been killed in the protests that continue across the country.
Christians are also concerned about upcoming changes to Kazakhstan's Religion Law and how they will be enforced. In December, the president signed new amendments to make holding religious events away from state-registered places of worship more difficult. The new laws come into effect today on Sunday, January 9. Some fear local police might also apply the new rules to regular worship meetings in rented venues where many Christian churches meet.
The changes will significantly impact the non-registered church, which is already persecuted, says Open Doors' Central Asia expert Jan de Vries. In the last few years, churches have seen increased surveillance, raids on their meetings and arrests. The state uses the threat of militant Islam to restrict religious freedoms.
Please pray with the 4.8 million Christians in Kazakhstan:
Pray for those suffering and all who have lost loved ones in the violence.
Pray that the church will be stronger in these trials and that Christians will look for ways to show God's love in this crisis.
Pray that these unjust religious laws will be overturned. Pray for a loose interpretation of the amendments and that they would not impact Christian gatherings.
Pray for church leaders' insight as they navigate the changes and respond with boldness and wisdom.
Thanks so much for praying, Elohim bless you. Taken from Open Doors USA text alert.
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has now ordered security forces to 'kill without warning' in an effort to crush protests against rising fuel prtices, inflation, unemployment, low wages and political corruption. Dozens of people have been killed in the protests that continue across the country.
Christians are also concerned about upcoming changes to Kazakhstan's Religion Law and how they will be enforced. In December, the president signed new amendments to make holding religious events away from state-registered places of worship more difficult. The new laws come into effect today on Sunday, January 9. Some fear local police might also apply the new rules to regular worship meetings in rented venues where many Christian churches meet.
The changes will significantly impact the non-registered church, which is already persecuted, says Open Doors' Central Asia expert Jan de Vries. In the last few years, churches have seen increased surveillance, raids on their meetings and arrests. The state uses the threat of militant Islam to restrict religious freedoms.
Please pray with the 4.8 million Christians in Kazakhstan:
Pray for those suffering and all who have lost loved ones in the violence.
Pray that the church will be stronger in these trials and that Christians will look for ways to show God's love in this crisis.
Pray that these unjust religious laws will be overturned. Pray for a loose interpretation of the amendments and that they would not impact Christian gatherings.
Pray for church leaders' insight as they navigate the changes and respond with boldness and wisdom.
Thanks so much for praying, Elohim bless you. Taken from Open Doors USA text alert.