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2019.06.07

Eritrea Continues to Crackdown on Christians – 30 Christians Arrested

Eritrea flag6/7/2019  Eritrea  (ICC)

Thirty Eritrean Christians were arrested on Monday, June 3, while praying at non-denominational churches in three different locations. This news comes shortly after the arrest of 141 Christians in Asmara in early May. According to local reports, the arrested individuals will be freed only if they disavow their faith. 
It is said that the current Eritrean government only recognizes four religious affiliations, including Sunni Islam, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea, the Catholic Church, and Orthodox Christianity, even though the constitution proclaims religious freedom. However, under President Afwerki, many Christians have been arrested. 
In this week’s raid, Pentecostal Christians were targeted while they prayed in their community churches. Eritrea is known for imprisoning dissidents in metal shipping containers in the heat of its desert climate.

Please pray…

  • Pray for the safety of the 171 Eritrean Christians who are now imprisoned.
  • Pray that the Lord will encourage, comfort and strengthen the Christians of Eritrea.
  • Pray that the Lord will convict President Afwerki, who has been in power for a number of years, and that he will discover the truth of the Gospel.