Please pray for Sudan. The country is currently caught up in a violent power struggle within the military leadership. Over 200 people are reported to have been killed. Sudan is number 10 on the Open Doors 2023 World Watch List. It’s a land where Christians face extreme levels of persecution. This conflict will only make a terrible situation harder for the follows of Jesus.
On Saturday, April 15 fighting erupted in Khartoum and other strategic areas between the regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting came after days of building tension as members of the RSF were redeployed around the country in a move that the army saw as a threat.
Sudan’s previous leader, President Omar al-Bashir, was ousted in 2019 after mass street protests calling for an end to his near-three decade rule. A joint military-civilian government was established but was overthrown in another coup in October 2021. There are fears that Sudan will return to the authoritarian years of the former president – which could also mean that the death penalty for leaving Islam, which was abolished in 2021, could be reinstated.
Fikuri*, a research expert for East Africa told us, “Christians are fearing that Islamists may exploit this crisis, and then once in power, they can bring back all those laws and even do whatever they want. We really need to pray for Christians because the future is not bright.”
Father God, we lift up Sudan and pray for stability in the region.
May those who covet power and those who seek to fight choose to walk the
path of peace.
Bring justice and healing to this divided land, we pray.
Out of this darkness, we pray that light will come.
We pray for a government that respects equality and religious freedom.
May Your church in this land reflect Your humility, forgiveness and love,
And so act as a signpost to the possibility of a different way of life.
Bring hope for those who feel helpless,
Healing for those who have been wounded,
And safety for all those who feel afraid.
Amen.
* Name changed for security purposes
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