It is now six years since the Malatya murders, but still justice has not been served. In April 2007, in the city of Malatya, five young Muslims tortured and killed three employees of a Christian publisher. All three victims were members of the Malatya Kurtulus Church.

It’s thought that the murders may have been part of a wider conspiracy targeting minority communities. Even though violence is rare, growing social pressures continue to make life difficult for Christians and other religious minorities in Turkey. Church leaders are unable to train in Turkey, forcing them to go abroad for training. It’s virtually impossible for churches to register officially, so Christians have to meet in house churches. But because these churches aren’t official, they can be closed down by the authorities at any time.

This week please:

• Pray for the families of the victims of the Malatya murders, who are still struggling to come to terms with their loss as the court case remains unresolved;
• Ask God to protect the families’ legal counsel, who has received death threats because of his work;
• Pray for the case to be concluded soon, with a just and fair verdict;
• Pray that church leaders would be able to receive their training in Turkey rather than having to go abroad;
• Pray that the law would be changed so that churches would be able to register more easily;
• Pray for Christians in rural areas of Turkey, who are more likely to be victims of harassment and discrimination;
• Ask God to protect Christians and other minorities who are at risk because of their faith.