TURKISH PASTOR CHARGED WITH CRIMES AGAINST ISLAM

"Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand"

- Ephesian 6:13 [NIV]

Turkey

Orhan Piçaklar a pastor in Samsun, Turkey has been charged with three serious crimes and has been instructed to appear at trial urgently. Piçaklar was notified by the Public Prosecutor that he was a suspect in a court case and he should come immediately to give testimony. However, when he arrived he found the charges against him had been hand-written and included a false identity number.

The pastor’s anonymous accuser had taken secret pictures of activities at Piçaklar's church of a baptism and a wedding blessing ceremony. The charges leveled against him, are all of a serious nature and include:

• Insulting the prophet of Islam, Mohammed
• Insulting the police
• Performing a marriage ceremony in the church

Piçaklar denies all three charges. While he could receive a jail sentence Piçaklar said, "I am not afraid because in the Lord I can do everything. The Lord here is daily growing His Church, Satan is restless and creating problems."

Source: Compass Direct

 Please pray…

• Please pray for Pastor Piçaklar that the charges against him would be dropped and justice would be done.
• For Pastor Piçaklar’s family that they will know God’s peace and reassurance.
• Pray against plans to curtail Christian activities in Turkey. Pray that Turkish people would hear the Gospel and realise the extent of God’s love for them.
  

Apology – Last week’s Email Prayer Alert focused on Eritrea. However you may have received it under the heading of China which was an oversight on our part. Please accept our apologies for any confusion caused.

Thank you for praying with us.

John
Communications Team

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