Jos, Nigeria

From Anglican Mainstream:
November 29th, 2008 Posted in News |

Please pray for us in Jos, we are being attacked by Muslims. Churches have been burnt, no exact figures of casualties yet. We need prayer to stay the hand the hand of bloodshed, destruction, violence and death. Pray for instant return to peace and order. The crisis began around 2am Friday after local elections in Jos, why Christians must pay for this I do not know.
The Lord be with you,
+benjos

Update Saturday morning

Archbishop Kwashi reports: “The reports from those I have sent out to collect information are that the Muslims are attacking and burning this morning. It looks well co-ordinated. They are well armed with AK 47 and pump machine guns. This morning they have been at Dogonduste. Quite a number of Christian homes have been burnt. We do not know how many have been killed. The local government has underestimated the vehemence of the militants. At the moment this is all restricted to Jos City.

We ask prayer for knowing the right thing to do. I have moved one of our archdeacons and his family to live in our home. St Luke’s Cathedral is in the middle of the area of violence. We hope we can proceed with our normal services tomorrow.”

Jehovah Sabaoth,
Your arm is not foreshortened. Your arm is mighty, and Your arm can reach throughout the earth. Reach down to Jos–Dogonduste and Jos City. Reach down and stay this bloodshed and destruction. We claim the name of Jesus to bind up the spirits of violence and death, the spirits of radical Islam and hatred of Christ. Restore peace to Jos City. Restore order!
Protect the Christians being persecuted. Commission Your holy angels to guard them, even through supernatural means. Have mercy on Your children, Lord. Anoint them with perfect love, which drives out fear. Grant them courage and the wisdom to know what You would have them do. Amen.

UPDATE (secular): Local journalist Senan Murray told the BBC’s Hausa Service that Muslims in the city tend to support the ANPP and Christians the PDP. These are secular news reports: Allafrica, BBC, AP, AP, ThisDay.