Exloring Life Eternal

My main interest in Cambodia arose when I first met a baptist lady going to reach Cambodia in the early 1990's & then when I discussed the Bible with S.H., the son of a Cambodian Cabinet official, about 3-4 years later. This entry has been slightly editted.

- Mert Hershberger
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Cambodia, Southeast Asi

Leader: Prime Minister Hun Sen
Dominant Religion: Buddhism
Christians: <1%
Persecution Ranking: Not Ranked

In 1990, Christianity was again permitted in Cambodia after 15 years of prohibition. ... [The] government's main concern was rebuilding the country. Their attention to Christianity was diminished, and this gave Cambodian Christians an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and plant new churches without harassment. During the 1990s, churches were planted in every Cambodian province. However, the government is not totally relaxed in how they view Christians. Therefore, religious freedom is still very fragile.

Buddhist nationalism has increased in Cambodia in recent years. In November 2002, the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA) recommended that all references to "God" be removed from school textbooks. CITA maintains such references are unconstitutional as Cambodia's constitution states that Buddhism is the state religion. They even said that God "is a medicine that is poisoning students and will lead to social unrest." In February 2003, Cambodia's ministry of cults and religious affairs issued a directive to ban all Christian proselytising.

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Prayer points:

= Pray for complete and well-entrenched religious liberty for Christians in Cambodia.

= Pray that Buddhist nationalism will decrease in Cambodia and that the Cambodian government and authorities will treat Christians fairly and respect their religious freedom.

= Pray for the growth and spiritual maturity of the Cambodian Church and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will spread throughout that country.

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Almighty God, we thank You for the growth of the Cambodian Church despite the loss of so many Christians to Khmer Rouge atrocities. We pray that Christians will be able to make a major contribution to the rebuilding of Cambodia and assist Cambodians in tackling their many social problems. We pray for complete religious freedom for Cambodia's Christians and that Buddhist nationalism will significantly decrease in Cambodia. O LORD, protect Cambodia's Christians, including the Vietnamese Montagnard refugee community. May these refugees not be deported, but rather find permanent asylum in Cambodia or another country.

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Sources: LifeAgape International, Barnabus Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Forum 18 News Service, Jubilee Campaign, Middle East Concern, Open Doors International, and 3P Ministries

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Malaysia, Southeast Asia

Leader: Prime Minister Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi
Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam
Christians: 9%
Persecution Ranking: Not Ranked

Although Islam is Malaysia's official national religion, Malaysian Christians have not generally suffered from direct attacks. However, a radical Islamic opposition party has become increasingly influential. Their stated aim is to establish Malaysia as an Islamic State with the Qur'an as the primary source of legislation. Muslim converts from certain states already face difficulties.

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Prayer points:

= Pray that Prime Minister Badawi would have the courage to resist attempts at further Islamisation in Malaysia.

= Pray that the government and courts would allow Christians from a Muslim background to register as Christians.

= Pray that the Christian Church would be strengthened through Christlike leadership and unity and continue to grow in numbers.

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Father in Heaven, we pray for the nation of Malaysia today. We thank You that Christians in this country enjoy relative freedom to worship You and ask that this would continue and increase. We ask You to give Christian leaders much wisdom for leading the churches in this nation. May citizens from every kind of background in Malaysia discover that God hears, and gives life, in the person of Jesus Christ. We pray that Christianity would not be seen as a foreigners' religion but as truly good news for all Malaysians. Amen.

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Sources: LifeAgape International, Barnabus Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Forum 18 News Service, Jubilee Campaign, Middle East Concern, Open Doors International, and 3P Ministries



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Brunei, Southeast Asia

Leader: P.M. Hossanal Bolkiah
Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam
Christians: 11-12%
Persecution Ranking: 24th

Christians in Brunei are experiencing increased measures to inhibit their religious freedom. In May 2005, a report on the Brunei government's website warned Muslims about "propagandists" who befriended the jobless and homeless as a "mask of kindness" behind which these "hostile elements carry out their propagation, handing out documents, books, cassettes and other religious-oriented material." Although the constitution permits religious freedom, the government's avowed intention is to introduce Shari'a (Islamic law) and to create a pure Islamic state. Limitations on Christian activity are widespread, evangelism is not permitted, Bibles and other Christian literature are not allowed into the country, the use of private homes as places of worship is forbidden, and the celebration of Christmas is banned.

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Prayer points:

= Pray for unity, courage, and wisdom.

= Pray that God will provide the Church with mature teachers and leaders.

= Pray that Christians in Brunei will not be intimidated by authorities but will continue to be bold in their faith.

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Dear LORD, we lift the Christians of Brunei to You today. We ask that You would grant them the ability to worship You freely in a nation which claims religious tolerance. We pray that You would give them courage in the face of adversity, that they might stand together and proclaim that You are Lord. Help them today to know Your presence and to have divine wisdom as moves are made to further integrate Islam in the country. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Sources: LifeAgape International, Barnabus Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Forum 18 News Service, Jubilee Campaign, Middle East Concern, Open Doors International, and 3P Ministries.
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"Copyright © 2005, Window International Network. All rights reserved."