Middle East
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Question
Maaria -
How can I pray for you & your friends? You have been so much on my heart & mind.
Blessings. Cecilia
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Answer
Pray for strength. We are so alone sometimes. Pray that when the spiritual warfare is at its height we will be strong and will overcome. Right now the evil one is really bringing us down. Please just ask God to be with us in our circumstances and situations and that we be surrounded by His Mighty Angels and protected. Also for the rising prices that God will speak some semblence of control and order. There is so much suffering in this place because the poor are getting poorer and struggling more and more. Please pray us through. Many many many blessings and thank you for caring.
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Question
Are women typically allowed to hold jobs in Muslim countries? What about unmarried women? Please stay strong in the faith and know that the prayers of a growing number of international brothers and sisters are with you. Love in Christ, Karen.
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Answer
Dear Karen, Thank you for your encouragement. You are truly a blessing and your prayers are treasured.
In response to your question - well it depends on the country in question. In most regions it is not a problem and in fact is a growing phenomena. In fact some times it is women who bear the brunt of it and must work to make ends meet however, traditionally it is men who work and women who stay home and care for the family, the children, teaching them about religion and praying etc... In the UAE there is a growing number of women married and unmarried who are working and pioneering in their fields. Howeve there are many restrictions in terms of dress, ethics, who they can and cannot talk to. Again this is regional.
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Question
In the news I recently read that Iraqi Muslims are calling for Iraqi Christians to come home. The article stated "Real Muslims here are quick to say that Al Qaeda members are not true Muslims". The article also says that Muslims tried to protect Christians from Al Qaeda. Is this true? Do the Muslims really care about Christians like this?
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Answer
Almost anything you say about this part of the world is true—somewhere. Yes, there are Muslims who tried to protect Christians from Al Qaeda. And there are Muslims who care about Christians, just as there are some who would destroy the Church. We need to pray that there will be peace in Iraq and that Christians will return, because without a healthy, functioning church, there is really no hope for the country.
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Question
How are the believers in Afghanistan doing? I am praying especially hard for them.
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Answer
The believers in Afghanistan need a lot of prayer. It is hard for us to get information from there, so news is infrequent. But the church is healthy and growing. There are several leaders who have been ordained for ministry. Please pray for them, that they will be faithful, godly leaders. Please also pray for others who are preparing for ordination. The current political and regional climate is tense and the Taliban continue to be active. So please pray that the followers of Jesus Christ will be a light in the area where the Taliban dominates.
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Question
Have you thought about leaving the Middle East for a safer place in the west? What made you stay?
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Answer
Peter (see pp. 246-49 in Secret Believers): The first years of my faith I looked at people who emigrated as traitors to the cause. Now I think I was too strong. I now accept that some have to leave because of threats on their life. We have experimented with migration within country. But as for me, I believe this should be an exception. We stay because we want to be change agents in our society.
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Question
Do you hope for democracy in your country?
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Answer
Peter: We need to realize politically that freedom gives Islam a chance to grow. You need to keep on pressuring for real democracy and human rights. That means more than just elections. The fundamentalists will use the electoral process to gain power in Iraq and then demand that Sharia be the only source of law. They will bring a worse system. We need true freedom as Christians to write and to practice our faith. We need the values of freedom.
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Question
Has the war in Iraq affected you where you live as a Secret Believer?
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Answer
Author Al Janssen: One source from within Iraq writes: "Shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein, church visitation rose sharply. Since then it has dropped because of the violence and insecurity. Many Christians have fled to the northern part of Iraq (which is relatively safe) and neighboring countries. Four violent groups are active in Iraq. Each of these parties have their own reasons to intimidate, kidnap or even kill Christians, but the main reason is for money to finance their battles. Most Christians are shop owners and have some money. Muslim extremists want to spread Islam and remove Christians from their cities. Still, despite all the hardships for the Iraqi church, there are some positive developments. For example the sale of Christian books has risen sharply."
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