CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (November 29, 2010) - As Americans prepared to enjoy Thanksgiving with family and friends, Africa Director Rae Burnett received an urgent plea for prayer from one of the Egyptian ministries helped by Christian Aid:

"Today we had evangelical outreach but it was cancelled because the police are destroying a church in the area where we live and serve. So Christians gathered in front of the government building to protest. To everyone's horror, the police opened fire on them. An unknown number of people have died so far and many others are injured. More than 100 were arrested.

"Muslims were even hitting the Christian children in schools and people who were going to church in the morning. Children and churchgoers fled and remain frightened in their homes. No one is able leave home or to go any place. It is something like war between the police and the Christians.

"SO PLEASE PRAY FOR US, OUR WORKERS, AND THE PEOPLE WE SERVE WHO ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS BATTLE. Please pray that the Lord will comfort the families of these martyrs and give speedy recovery for those who are injured and in dangerous situations.

"Some public hospitals have refused treatment for wounded Christians. So the only choice is to either die or pay for the private hospitals which are very expensive. Very few can afford the fees. So pray for help for those people and that 100 person are still arrested we hope they be free soon. Pray that the Lord give supply for repair the damage to church buildings, and that the whole situation will calm down in peace."

Note: Names and specific locations are omitted because of security.

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