World Council of Churches Praying for Korean Hostages
World Council of Churches calls on its members to unite in prayer for release of South Korean hostages in Afghanistan.
by Maria Mackay
Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2007, 7:58 (BST)
The Acting General Secretary of the World Council of Churches has written to the head of the National Council of Churches in Korea to express his solidarity following the abduction of 23 South Korean Christians in Afghanistan.
God bless those poor people. I have read some blogs on some sites calling for them to be killed - how horrific mankind is!! Whether they were right or not to go, none of God's children deserve to be kidnapped and murdered in this way.
James Maddox, London
William Temu said in his letter to Rev Oh-sung Kwon that WCC member churches were "praying in earnest" for the hostages, who were taken by the Taliban from the main road south from Kabul last week during a humanitarian visit to Afghanistan.
Local government official Khowja Seddiqi confirmed on Wednesday that one of the hostages, a male, had been shot dead because "Kabul's administration did not listen to our demand and did not free our prisoners".
The Taliban threatened to kill the other 22 hostages if eight rebel prisoners were not freed by 2030 GMT on Wednesday.
Mr Temu continued in his letter to the NCCK: "As negotiations between the Taliban and the South Korean government continue, we pray for the immediate release of those being held, for their reunion with their families and for true peace in Afghanistan.
"We pray also for the Afghan President Hamid Karzai, that through his help, negotiations may be strengthened."
President Karzai has so far refused to meet the demands of the Taliban to free their prisoners. His silence on this occasion comes after his decision to free five Taliban from jail in March in exchange for an Italian reporter proved unpopular at home and abroad.
Mr Temu appealed for prayers to ensure the release of the South Korean hostages.
"We are calling the entire ecumenical family to join in prayer, asking God to intercede so that the hostages will be released and brought to safety," he wrote.
"We stand in solidarity with the families and churches affected, and with all the Korean people as they live through this difficult and trying time."
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Added: Monday, July 30, 2007, 12:35 (BST)
NOT BY MIGHT NOR BY POWER BUT BY MY SPIRIT!!!!! SAYS THE LORD WHO has the power to bring the dead to life........ Why would we worry? Even though we die its ok. We die for the Lord. Persecutions and sufferings is nothing to be compared to the Glory that is waiting for us in heaven. It is a pleasure for someone to be muttered because of the Lord.
mariane capistrano, Phillipines
Added: Monday, July 30, 2007, 10:06 (BST)
I wish the Lord's intervention in the situation of my brothers & sisiters captured in Afghanistan. They do not deserve to be killed. Lord, I believe in Your grace to save these precious lives even they are your testimony. Any loss of life will put the Christian faith in many people in fear. Psalm 125 is my prayer of encouragement to the affected families.
REV. ALFRED NGOMA, LUSAKA - ZAMBIA
Added: Thursday, July 26, 2007, 21:39 (BST)
God is the ultimate Justice. Heavenly Father, please protect your children, deliver them out of the evil.
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." --Psalm 23
Peter Liu, MO, US
Added: Thursday, July 26, 2007, 20:11 (BST)
I wish no harm upon these people. No one deserves to be put in this type of situation. That being said, they have only themselves to blame. Look at the predicament they have put the South Korean government in. The South Korean government has to decide whether to pay off these terrorists or let the hostages be killed. Its a no win situation. Why do evangelicals find it necessary to go over to other countries trying to convert the most vulnerable among us? Why cant they just let people believe what they want to believe. Finally, where was God or Jesus when they were on that road in Afghanistan? How come he wasnt there to protect them? Everyone will give credit God if they are freed but will blame the terrorists if they are killed.
CD, Washington, DC
Added: Thursday, July 26, 2007, 8:25 (BST)
God bless those poor people. I have read some blogs on some sites calling for them to be killed - how horrific mankind is!! Whether they were right or not to go, none of God's children deserve to be kidnapped and murdered in this way. May God have mercy on the souls of those Taliban members, and lead these poor men and women out of their captivity.
James Maddox, London
