Christians in northwest Nigeria are living in terror after receiving letters threatening death unless they close their churches, sources said.
A police spokesman said Zamfara State Police have beefed up security at churches and increased intelligence-gathering in response to the letters that warn Christians will be killed or kidnapped if places of worship are not shut down.
“There’s fear and panic here since the letter was received.” Mary Ibrahim, a resident of Gussau, the Zamfara state
capital, reported. “Christians no longer find it easy to attend fellowship and Bible Study programmes in churches.”
Police said they are trying to determine who sent the letters, while area residents suspect Islamic extremists among Fulani herdsmen or members of Boko Haram.
“A letter was sent to our churches warning that the Christians must close down churches, or we’ll be attacked,” Ayuba Matthew, also of Gussau said.
“We are worried that these Fulani terrorists will carry out their threats, as they’re now in complete control of the rural areas of Zamfara state.”
Many Christians in Zamfara are staying away from church meetings, while others are moving out of the state, residents said.
Source: Morning Star News
Let us pray.
- Ask God to frustrate the plans of the perpetrators. Pray these threats will be thwarted.
- Pray for the authorities trying to ascertain who is responsible; ask for God’s leading.
- Pray the Christians will be strengthened in their faith. Pray the Lord will be their shield and protector.
- Pray too for church leaders in the area, as they encourage their church members in the faith.
Precious Lord
Protect and strengthen Your people in Nigeria, and unravel the wicked plans of the enemy. Grant wisdom and guidance to the church leaders as they seek to encourage their flocks. And guide the authorities Lord, In accordance with Your will, as they investigate and work to identify those inciting hatred and making threats, and enable them to carry out justice.
We thank you for Your Word, living, active, and enduring, and we pray it over the lives of our brothers and sisters in Nigeria:
Job 5:12
“He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away. Darkness comes upon them in the daytime; at noon they grope as in the night. He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful. So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.”
Enable Your people to put on their spiritual armour Lord, and to trust in You with all their heart. Sweep away their fear and anxiety, I pray.
Isaiah 35:4
“Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’ ”
We thank you and praise You, our Hope, our Protector, our Comforter and our Eternal Joy.
In the Powerful and Precious Name of our Lord Jesus I pray these things.
Amen.
Amen to Renee’s words above and Lord please have mercy on our brothers and sisters constantly in fear of attack and persecution for your name’s sake. Help us to be a blessing to them. Have mercy Lord, have mercy.