Pray for These Christians in Iran, India, Turkey, and Uzbekistan

These Christians are men and women who stand for the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the most hostile environment for Christianity.  As brothers and sisters in Christ let’s aid them with prayer, for strength, encouragement, the power of the Spirit of God, wisdom for their persecutors, judges, and prosecuters.

VOM News and Prayer Update: June 17th, 2008

“It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. “  (2 Corinthians 4:13-14)

IRAN

House Church Leader Arrested – Compass Direct News

On May 31, house church leader Mohsen Namvar was arrested by eight police officers in his home in Tehran, Iran. According to Compass Direct News, “The officers confiscated a number of Namvar’s personal belongings including his computer, printer, CDs, books and money. He was given no official explanation for the arrest, and his current location is unknown.” Compass Direct added, “According to an Iranian pastor residing outside the country, Namvar had anticipated that police would come for him since hearing that he had been implicated during police interrogations of Christians in the city of Amol in April. He had been warned by a friend that authorities were keeping him under close watch. Namvar was previously held and tortured for baptizing Muslim converts to Christianity in the spring of 2007.” Pray for Namvar’s release. Pray that he will act as a faithful witness for Christ during his detention. Pray that his wife and children will rely on the Lord for comfort and strength. Matthew 5:14-16

INDIA

Christians Attacked at Vacation Bible School – VOM Sources

On April 25, Pastor Mohan Babu and two other believers were severely beaten by 35 Hindu extremists for holding a Vacation Bible School (VBS) near Bangalore City, in Karnataka State. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in India, the three-day VBS was organized by Ragigudda Baptist Church. VOM sources said, “Around 60 children from different backgrounds were attending the VBS. As they were worshiping, about 35 people belonging to a Hindu extremist group forcefully entered the hut chanting slogans and demolished the hut. The extremists mercilessly beat Mohan, Samuel and Krishna, alleging forceful conversion. The perpetrators chased the children without any courtesy and tore the Bibles. Mohan was severely injured on his lips and was profusely bleeding. The believers are living in fear and did not lodge complaint with the police.” Pray for healing for all those injured in this attack. Pray they forgive their attackers and for the children who were attending VBS to continue growing in their faith despite the attack. Psalm 140:1-8 Psalm 140:1-8

TURKEY

Murder Suspects Accuse Each Other in Trial in Turkey – Compass Direct News

On June 9, seven suspects on trial for the brutal murder of three Christians in Turkey appeared in court – each one protesting his innocence and incriminating one or more of the others. According to Compass Direct News, “The hearing in eastern Turkey marked the first time the five jailed murderers and two accused accomplices have appeared together in court to be cross-examined over contradictions in their individual court testimonies.” Compass Direct added, “In addition to the five accused murderers – Hamit Ceker, Cuma Ozdemir, Abuzer Yildirim, Salih Gurler and Emre Gunaydin – two others, Kursat Kocadag and Mehmet Gokce, face charges as accomplices.” Turkish Christians Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel and German Christian Tilmann Geske were brutally killed on April 18, 2007, at Zirve Publishing offices in Malatya. Keep the families of those killed in your prayers as the trial continues. Ask God to make the truth known to authorities as they prosecute this trial. Also pray for protection for the families of those killed and for believers in Turkey who serve Christ in the midst of persecution. Psalm 91

UZBEKISTAN

Government Airs Television Program Aimed to Incite Muslims Against Christians – Forum 18 News

Earlier this week, Uzbekistan’s state-run TV station showed a film which Christians and other religious minorities believe will incite religious hatred. According to Forum 18 News, the film entitled “In the clutches of ignorance,” was shown before live coverage of the Euro 2008 football championship, to attract the largest possible audience. Forum 18 News reported, “The first broadcast of the film made some members of religious minorities ‘afraid to go out on the street where they live for fear of being persecuted.’ A member of a religious organization not attacked in the film stressed that members of their community are disturbed ‘that members of religious minorities are cast in such a negative perspective.’” A Protestant attacked in the film told Forum 18 after the second showing, “The government is trying to stir up Muslims against Christians.” Forum 18 News added, “Following the first showing, a Baptist congregation which has been attacked elsewhere in the state-run mass media was raided and banned from meeting. One Baptist complained that ‘broadcasting such a film amounts to incitement of religious hatred in our country.’” Pray God protects Christians in Uzbekistan. Ask God to stop any attacks that the enemy has planned against believers as a result of this film. Pray Christians in Uzbekistan will show their persecutors the love of Christ. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

May the LORD of all give them courage and strength for each day.  May He also give the Christians of the United States the courage, and faith to stand as the hatred for God and godliness increases here.

-Tim A. Blankenship