[Today's Prayer] Algeria strengthens crackdown on house churches amid Israel-Hamas war

Christian persecution is intensifying in Algeria, with attendance at home church gatherings strictly limited to 10 people and some church leaders being sentenced to prison.

According to the American Christian Post (CP), the International Christian Coalition (ICC), a persecution watchdog based in the United States, said, “These enforcement measures include not only limiting gatherings, but also imposing prison sentences on some church leaders.” He reported related news.

The ICC said, “Amid heightened tensions following the Hamas-Israel war, the Algerian government perceives Christians as Israel sympathizers and as linked to foreign and Western powers that threaten the country’s Islamic unity.”

(Omitted)

Almost all Algerian Christians come from the Kabyle ethnic group, which has a history of seeking independence from the central government. The situation is further complicated by the fact that government efforts to maintain national unity often intersect with religious issues.

Voice of the Martyrs said, “Governments and families of converts often persecute these new Christians. Moreover, the local community is giving them various difficulties,” he said.

According to the ICC, Algerian authorities have closed at least 16 churches in 2022, continuing a trend of persecution that began with the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Even though churches can technically gather publicly, Christians face increased scrutiny and restrictions.

“Despite these hardships, Berber Christians have formed a collective voice advocating for their rights and religious freedom through evangelical associations,” the Voice of the Martyrs said. “Their dedication to spreading the gospel even in areas close to al Qaeda terrorist camps demonstrates their resilience.” he said.

Although it is not common for believers to be imprisoned for their religious beliefs, cases such as imprisonment for social media posts have occurred. For example, the Algerian Bible Society is experiencing serious difficulties printing and importing Bibles because the government closely monitors, restricts, and controls these activities.

Source: Christianity Today

David asked God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” And the Lord said, “Go up, I will deliver them into your hand.” (1 Chronicles 14:10)

Oh Lord, who is coming again, as time passes, we hear news of the church being persecuted from all over the world.

Recently, the Algerian government views churches as linked to forces that threaten the country's Islamic unity, limits the number of attendees at gatherings, and sentences church leaders to prison.

However, despite these adversities, the Algerian church stands together in solidarity and spreads the gospel, calling for their rights and religious freedom.

Hallelujah! we confess that the glory of the Lord in the last days lies in the victory of the church. Please anoint the Algerian church with oil and raise it up to become a victorious church in the spiritual war that must be waged for the Lord's return.

We ask you to add to the Algerian church the spiritual leadership and faith you gave to David.

In this way, before the end times when suffering and persecution intensify, please help them become an Algerian church that first asks and prays to the Lord and spreads the gospel to the Algerian people until the end.

Through the gospel, please raise the Algerian people to become a people like David who will wake up, break the Islamic unity of the government, and establish the kingdom of God in all nations!