Egypt
Christians learning to love and forgive in face of deathly atrocities
Christians across Egypt have been shocked by last weekend's violent attack on a peaceful demonstration organised by Christians protesting over the destruction of a church in Aswan on 30 September. Official figures cite that 24 people were killed and a further 250 injured in the violence.
Open Doors contacts in Cairo said that the violence was initiated by the security forces, while other Christians told us that excessive force was used against people who were protesting peacefully. An Egyptian pastor told Open Doors of a powerful prayer time on Monday night this week.
Eye witness reports told how military vehicles deliberately and indiscriminately ran over protesters. An Orthodox priest described how he protected the driver of one vehicle which had killed many people. As the vehicle was turned on its side and caught fire, the priest told the soldier that if he came out, he would protect him from the angry mob. The priest put his arms around the soldier's head and asked the people not to hit him. He covered the soldier with his body as he laid him on the ground. As the angry mob saw what their pastor was doing to protect the 'killer' soldier, they agreed to spare him in Jesus' name. The priest brought the soldier to his commander and told him, "Christ died for you, and he has given your life back to you. He alone can save you."
The priest also described how he prayed with those who were fatally injured. He said that many of the young people around him were willing to die for Christ and asked him to pray a prayer of absolution over them.
There is a growing feeling among the Muslim community condemning what has happened and showing public support for the Christian community in Egypt.
Source: Open Doors
Please pray:
1. That God would raise up champions of peace to exhibit calmness and forgiveness in their communities
2. That Christians would respond in a true Christian way when confronting persecution and mistreatment, and continue to show love to their attackers
3. That Christians would come together in unity to ask God to intervene in their situation.
