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| Pray for the safety of Christians in hideouts within Nigeria. Photo: Flickr/selena deckelmann |
Despite recent news of a cease-fire agreement between the government and Boko Haram, Nigerians in Borno State are continuing to endure horror at the hands of the militant group.
In late October, Boko Haram militants sent messages to Christians who were hiding out in the hills of Gwoza Local Government Area, telling them that any non-Muslims found there would be killed. Many of the affected believers tried to escape to neighbouring Cameroon in the night, but were stopped. Boko Haram then later attacked the hill area, killing those who remained. Meanwhile, in Mafa village, 30 young people were reportedly kidnapped by the militants on October 25th and 26th.
These latest attacks and abductions have cast great doubt over the effectiveness of the peace deal the government allegedly reached with Boko Haram. The government also claimed that the hundreds of schoolgirls who were kidnapped in April would soon be released. However, a man claiming to be the leader of Boko Haram recently said that the girls, many of whom are Christians, have been "married off" to the group's fighters. (For more information on the kidnapped girls, please visit this page.)
In the wake of these distressing events in Borno State, let us lift up our brothers and sisters there, asking that the Lord will grant each one His peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). May those who are now mourning the loss of loved ones be comforted, and may God also attend to the needs of those injured in the recent assaults. Please pray for the hundreds of youths who have been abducted by Boko Haram in recent months...requesting that through His divine intervention, they will very soon be freed and returned to their worried family members. Finally, intercede on behalf of the militants behind these attacks, asking the Holy Spirit to move in their hearts so they will repent from their sins and turn to Jesus for salvation.
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