Day 17
China
Open Doors reports that the persecution of Christians is at its highest level in three decades. Of particular concern is the way China “is forging an international alliance to redefine human rights,” with more nations adopting China’s approach to centralized control of religious freedoms. Pray for Christian Believers in China that Father God may pass before them constantly proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (The Bible, Exodus 34:6).
Source: Persecution of Christians at highest point for three decades (The Tablet)
The world’s most populous country, China is also the world’s second-largest land area. With a focus on nationalism, the Communist government tries to maintain social order by prohibiting large meetings and some social media sites. Mission organizations say that the church is the largest social force in China not controlled by the Communist Party. Authorities have continued their harshest crackdown on Christianity since the Cultural Revolution. Many expatriate Christian workers have had to leave as a result. Even the Bible is being “rewritten” to better reflect the government’s communist worldview.
Day 17
Djibouti
The Republic of Djibouti signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group Limited and Touchroad International Holdings Group to develop an international commercial spaceport in the northern Obock Region of Djibouti. This serves as a preliminary agreement between the parties to build a spaceport which is expected to comprise seven satellite launch pads and three rocket testing pads. The project is estimated to cost around USD 1 billion and is expected to take five years to complete. Djibouti will provide the necessary land (minimum 10 square kilometres with a lease. The agreement provides for the final concession of the infrastructure to the Djiboutian government after 30 years of co-management. Pray that these projects will facilitate human capacity development and small satellite development. Pray for Djiboutian people to rely upon God’s providential ever-present help (The Bible, Psalm 46:1).
Source:
Ismaïl Omar Guelleh is the current President of Djibouti. He has been in office since 1999. The current Prime Minister is Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, since 2013. The Republic of Djibouti lies between Eritrea and Somalia, bordering the Gulf of Aden. Djibouti gained independence in 1977 and functioned as an authoritarian one-party state until the president stepped aside in 1999 and balanced the nation’s two main ethnic groups, the Issa of Somali origin and the Afar of Ethiopian origin. Djibouti is predominantly a Muslim nation. Ninety-seven percent of the population is Muslim, and those who leave the faith are often beaten, ostracized, and killed. Serious social and economic problems continue to plague Djiboutians, notably widespread famine, extreme unemployment, and the rising urban issues of human trafficking, prostitution, and drug abuse. The French Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches represent the only active Christian witness recognized by the government.
