On March 31, a bomb attack at an outdoor worship service killed two Christians -- a woman and an eight-year-old boy -- and wounded more than 30 in the Kenyan city Mtwapa.
Hundreds of Christians were attending the outdoor service when a hand grenade was thrown towards the pastor's podium. Muslims were also holding a meeting around 300 metres from the scene of the attack. The Islamic preachers were vilifying Christianity in their sermon which could be heard from the location where the Christians were holding their conference.
Kenyan officials blame members of al-Shabaab, a radical Islamic group in Somalia, for the bomb attack. Attacks and kidnappings coordinated by al-Shabaab in last year have prompted the Kenyan military to strike at al-Shabaab targets in Somalia. The Kenyan government has issued a warning of possible attack by the militants during Easter celebrations.
Pray for the wounded and the grieving. Pray these Christians will rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd walks with them through this difficult time (Psalm 23). Pray the Lord will give these Christians the grace to continue to meet together and encourage one another. Pray also for the perpetrators.
Religions (%) Christian (85.5) (Protestant 33.4%, Catholic 20.6%, Evangelical 20.4% other 11.1%), Muslim (10.9), Other (1.8), None (1.6)
Government type Presidential republic
Leader President Uhuru Kenyatta (2013)
Legal system Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review in a new Supreme Court established pursuant to the new constitution
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Kenya
Pray that Somali refugees within Kenya will be open to the gospel. Ask the Lord to encourage believers to be unified in heart and purpose as they serve converts from Islam. Pray that churches in the northeastern region will remain strong as they face Islamist attacks.
Pray that Christians in Kenya will continue to faithfully proclaim the Gospel.
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An underground pastor in eastern Kenya, near the Somali border, was severely beaten on the night of March 8th. Muslim militants assaulted him with wooden clubs, leaving him unconscious and with a broken leg, bruises and other injuries.
On March 31, a bomb attack at an outdoor worship service killed two Christians -- a woman and an eight-year-old boy -- and wounded more than 30 in the Kenyan city Mtwapa.
