Trial Of Faith

Sometimes I am shocked by the events that take place in many Christian’s lives. Especially the events many face concerning their faith in Christ. The following are prayer requests from The Voice of the Martyrs Prayer Update. Please remember to pray for the family of the pastor who was shot and killed. One family’s home was bombed and the roof was destroyed, and children who were home at the time, thankfully were not seriously injured. Remember those in India and China as well who have suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ.

VOM News and Prayer Update: January 22, 2008

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

PAKISTAN
Pastor Killed – VOM Sources
On January 17, a pastor was shot and killed by an unknown person in Peshawar, Pakistan. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, the pastor had worked with the Assembly of God Church in Peshawar, for the past 10 years. He is survived by his wife and a one-year-old daughter. Pray for this grieving family and church. Ask God to comfort believers in Peshawar and for this pastor’s family to realize that to be absent from the body is to be present with Him. Psalm 27:1, Psalm 23

ETHIOPIA
Christian Family’s House Bombed – VOM Sources
On January 12, a home belonging to a Christian family was bombed in the southeastern city of Jijiga. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, “Terefe Feleke, his wife and their two children were in the house at the time of the attack, thankfully none of them were seriously hurt. The roof of the house was destroyed by the bomb blast. While searching the compound, the police found another bomb set to explode a few hours later.” Praise God, this family was kept from serious harm. Pray for Christians in Jijiga, where Muslims have recently mounted attacks against Christians in an attempt to drive them out of the region. Pray believers in this area will remain faithful and demonstrate Christ’s love to their persecutors. Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7

INDIA
Hindu Extremists Injure Nearly 100 – Compass Direct News
On January 16, more than 80 people were injured in an attack on a large Christian meeting in Chhattisgarh state. According to Compass Direct News, the attack was followed by an assault on a missionary camp in Dhamtari district that hurt at least a dozen Christians. “The Hindu attacks come within weeks of unprecedented anti-Christian violence in neighboring Orissa state. In Chhattisgarh’s Durg district violence, Christians said it was no coincidence that Hindu nationalist extremists launched the attack as the political arm of the militants, the Bharatiya Janata Party, was holding a public meeting in the area,” Compass Direct reported. Pray for the safety of believers in India. Ask God to heal and encourage them to remain courageous despite attacks and increased persecution. Pray the testimonies of these faithful believers will draw non- believers into fellowship with Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:19, Isaiah 26:3

CHINA
House Church Leaders Released From Labor Camp – China Aid Association
On January 8, four house church leaders were released from a labor camp in Hubei province, China. According to China Aid Association, the Hubei Provincial Re-education Through Labor Administration Committee decided to repeal a decision by the Re-education Through Labor Administration Committee, to keep the leaders in prison. Four male and five female church leaders were arrested on August 6, 2007, when they were found having a Sunday worship service. They were accused of the “crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of state laws.” Three female leaders are still being held. Praise God for the release of the four house churches. Pray for the families and leaders who are still in prison. Ask God to give them courage during this difficult time, and for their lives to be a testimony to their persecutors. Psalm 23, Proverbs 3:5, 6

May God richly bless you all as we continue in dliligent prayer for our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ.