Continue to pray for peace in Zamboanga City

Last week I posted an urgent prayer request on our Facebook page and asked people to pray for people living in Zamboanga City, Philippines, and especially our Christian brothers and sisters. The city had come under attack from 200 Mulsim rebels - a terrorist group called the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The MNLF is one of many Musljm rebel groups in the southern Philippines who have been in conflict with the Philippine government for decades. They all want their own land and laws. Many of them have connections to global terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda. These groups are notorious for attacks, bombings and kidnappings.

On Sept. 9, at least 200 MNLF rebels attacked Zamboanga City, which is a major port city of 1 million people. The rebels' goal apparently was to raise their flag at city hall. As they attacked the city, they took more than 100 hostages to use as human shields. The attack shutdown this large city, including its ports and airport. Most businesses and industry were shutdown. This caused a food shortage in much of the southern region of the island of Mindanao and small islands south of Mindanao in the area called the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

The Associated Press reports today that 14 Philippine soldiers and police, seven civilians and 86 rebels have been killed during the 10-day standoff that has displaced more than 100,000 people from their homes.

Some of those evacuated were LIA Philippines pastors and their churches. The closed ports also affected our pastors on the Muslim island of Basilan. Food became scarce in Zamboanga City and other islands like Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

Thanks to our faithful supporters, we were able to send some funds to help nine of our pastors and churches. So many of you have been praying, and the pastors all send their thanks for the prayers and support. To know they are not alone during such intense times is very meaningful, and to be able to purchase food and medicine is an answer to their prayers.


The situation appears to be improving as there are only 30-40 rebels remaining in two villages. However, there are still 14 hostages. Please continue to pray for the conflict to end without any more deaths.

Please continue to pray for our pastors and their congregations. It is still very unsettling for the people after going through the bombings and gunfire that's occurred the past 10 days.

We have a team of LIA Philippines pastors going to Zamboanga City to minister to the needs of the people with some supplies. We were able to help provide Christian tracts that they will hand out to the people there as well. Pray that their hearts will be open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and see that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Pray that an even greater revival will break out among the Muslims in the Philippines. We have seen thousands make decisions for Jesus over the past two years. Join us in prayer that tens of thousands will turn to Jesus now.

Thank you for your continued prayers and continue financial support. Our brothers and sisters in this Third World nation need us, and it's a blessing to be able to respond so quickly.