VOM Prayer Update 04/16/09

It seems like there are Christian brothers and sisters all around the world who are suffering due to economic, health, and family and other problems; however, let us be sure to pray one for another and remember those suffering for the cause of Jesus Christ.

The following is the latest prayer update from Voice Of The Martyrs:

The Voice of the Martyrs USA:

 

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. Psalm 5:3

TURKEY- Pray for Turkey on April 18

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

The Turkish church has set aside April 18 as the International Day of Prayer for Turkey. VOM encourages you to pray for believers in Turkey who are risking their lives for Christ. Especially remember the families of Necati Aydin, Tilman Geske and Ugur Yuksel who were martyred on April 18, 2007 in Malatya, Turkey. Ask God to continue encouraging their families and for believers in Turkey to remain faithful and courageous despite persecution.

CHINA – Pastor Bike Arrested – China Aid Association

1 Peter 2:20-21

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

On March 21, Chinese police arrested Pastor “Bike” Zhang Mingxuan, leader of the Chinese House Church Alliance, in Yanjiao town, Hebei province, according to China Aid Association. Pastor Zhang was staying at the home of a local Christian when more than a dozen police officers arrived. The authorities took Pastor Zhang to the local police station where he was searched, interrogated and threatened with death. Bank cards and three cell phones were confiscated. Three hours later, Pastor Zhang was handed over to Public Security Bureau officials who questioned him about his recent travels. Pastor Zhang’s belongings were eventually returned, except the debit card for an account containing 150,000 Yuan (US$1,499). He was released later that day. Pray for strength and protection for Pastor Zhang. Pray that he and other believers facing trials for their faith will find comfort in the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good.

AZERBAIJAN – Home Raided and Believers Fined – Form 18 News

Deuteronomy 11:18-20

“Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,

On March 25, a Christian’s home was raided by the local official of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations in Agdash, Azerbaijan, according to Forum 18 News. Twelve children were gathered at Vera Zhuchaeva’s home, with their parents’ permission, to listen to Bible stories when authorities entered. They forced the children into one room, questioned them and recorded their names. The children were then released to their parents. Police also confiscated 508 books and 40 films from the house. Three believers who were visiting from the capital city of Baku were taken to a police station and questioned for four hours. When they went to the station the next day to pick up their identification documents, they were fined for “illegally spreading Christianity and other faiths.” Pray that Christian parents will demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Christ and continue to teach their children about the Lord. Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Azerbaijan.

INDIA – Church Burned, Pastor Attacked – VOM Sources

1 Peter 5:10-11

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

On March 24, the Jesus Prayer House church building in the village of Kuruvakalva, Andhra Pradesh, was burned by Hindu extremists. Bibles, hymnals and furniture, as well as the roof the church, were destroyed. Meanwhile on April 5, Pastor Yadal was attacked in the village of Vadarpalaya, Karnataka. Police officers stopped Pastor Yadal while he was on his way to preach at the House of Salvation church. An officer beat the pastor and accused him of forcibly converting Hindus. Hindu extremists then called two local pastors to the scene and warned them to stop holding church services. The extremists also went to two other churches in the same village and warned them against gathering for worship. Pray for strength and wisdom for the victims of these attacks. Ask the Lord to embolden Indian Christians to continue serving Him and worshipping together despite pressure.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

www.persecution.com

Usually when we think we are the one’s hurting the worst and we take a moment to look around there will always be someone who is hurting more.  Pray for one another.

T.A.

VOM Prayer Update for 09/22/08

A pastor in Azerbaijan, families in Laos, a vote by Parliament of death for apostasy in Iran, and Christians in Orissa being violently attacked.  These are prayer needs voiced from Voice of the Martyrs.  Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering for Christ Jesus.

INDIA – Attacks on Christians Continue for Third Week – VOM Sources

UPDATE: VOM contacts report violence against Christians in Orissa state has continued for the third week as Hindu extremists have refused to accept the Maoists’ claim of responsibility for the murder of a Hindu leader in late August. On September 13, an irate mob torched a church building in the village of Anchhla, Koraput district. In another incident, a Christian man was killed by militants in the town of Raikia. On September 14, 12 homes belonging to Christians were burned in the village of Makabali. Extremists have even launched attacks on the police for intervening in the violence. Christians fear they will continue to be targeted, particularly since extremists have prepared a list of approximately 140 Christians who they allege were the Hindu leader’s killers. The list is being distributed among Hindu supporters in order to identify who should be punished or killed in case the government fails to take action to their satisfaction. Pray that the perpetrators of these attacks will come to repentance and salvation. Ask God to strengthen the thousands of Christians affected by the violence to remain steadfast in faith. Pray for full and lasting peace in this persecution-torn region.

Revelation 2:10

IRAN – Parliament Votes to Punish Apostasy with Death – Compass Direct News

On September 9, Iran’s parliament voted in favor of a draft law that would mandate the death penalty for men convicted of apostasy, a charge frequently brought against Christians in the country. If this law passes all stages of Iran’s legislative process, male Muslim converts to Christianity if convicted would have no other punishment than death.. Under current Iranian law, apostasy is a capital offence, but the judge is free to decide the penalty. Pray for believers in custody in Iran and ask God to protect them. Ask the Holy Spirit to encourage believers in Iran who are standing for Christ unashamedly despite the cost they might pay. Praise God for their courage.

2 Samuel 22:31

LAOS – Evicted Families in Need, Believers Still Being Held – VOM Sources

VOM contacts in Laos report that seven families evicted from their homes by police early last year continue to face hardships as they relocate to other areas. Meanwhile, eight pastors who were arrested in Udom Sai province in March 2008, are still being held in prison and there is no indication when they might be released. Please pray for the evicted families and ask God to meet their needs. Pray for the families of imprisoned pastors who are financially challenged, especially for some of the children that have had to leave school because their parents are in prison. Ask God to watch over and protect VOM workers serving persecuted believers in Laos.

John 15:18-21

AZERBAIJAN – Baptist Pastor Ordered to Remain in Prison – Forum 18 News

A judge has ordered imprisoned Baptist Pastor Hamid Shabanov detained for another two months. “The judge called the latest hearing without even informing Hamid’s lawyer. This was a clear violation,” Ilya Zenchenko head of the Baptist Union told Forum 18 News. The pastor was arrested in June following a police raid on his home and faces charges of possession of an illegal
weapon; charges that his family insist are fabricated. Pray for Pastor Shabanov’s family and congregation. Ask God to protect and encourage them.

Psalm 91:1-5

Let us pray for the name of Jesus to be glorified.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Prayer Update from Voice of the Martyrs 07/01/08

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering for the glory of Jesus Christ:

VOM News and Prayer Update: July 1st, 2008

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.”

(1 Corinthians 16:23)

PAKISTAN

Christians Abducted at Gunpoint by Muslim Extremists – VOM Sources

On June 21, 16 Christians were abducted by Muslim extremists when they gathered to pray in Academy Town, Peshawar, Pakistan. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Pakistan, “Salamat Masih and 30 of his family and close friends were gathered to pray and celebrate the birth of his daughter, when 12 Taliban [members] of the Lashka-e-Islam group broke into his house yelling and shouting. They held the believers at gunpoint. The Muslim house-owner, Haji Muhammad Saraj, was also present at the time to collect rent.” VOM contacts added, “With machine and automatic guns, they forcibly separated the men from the women and children. Slapping the Christian men, they commanded all 16 men, including Pastor Zulifqar and Haji Muhammad Saraj, to get into the five waiting vehicles.” The 16 Christian men were held captive for an hour. “They were beaten and abused, and had all their money and mobile phones stolen from them. During this time, the Taliban attempted to persuade Pastor Zulifqar to convert to Islam, which he unquestionably refused. After sunset the Taliban took them to another place where they were kept in a cave until their release 10 hours later,” VOM contacts reported. Pray for believers in Pakistan. Pray God protects them and provides for all their needs. Also pray their courageous testimonies will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him. Psalm 91:1-2

EGYPT

Christian Homes and Businesses Attacked – VOM Sources

On June 19, a mob of local Muslims attacked businesses and homes belonging to Coptic Christians in the village of Al Nazla, Fayoum province. According to VOM contacts, “When a convert from Christianity to Islam left that day on a three-day trip to Cairo, local Muslims concluded that she had gone missing. Rumors circulated that she had been abducted by her Christian family members. A mob of Muslims then went on a rampage in the village, beating and injuring Christians and destroying property.” Ask God to strengthen those affected by the mob violence and for them to remain steadfast as they suffer. Pray that the perpetrators of this attack will come to repentance and salvation. Revelation 2:10

INDONESIA

Church Closed Again – VOM Sources

Recently, Muslims closed a church and blocked Christians from entering and holding services in Jatimula, Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Indonesia, “Muslims blocked the alley leading to the church building. Pastor Anna and Huta Julu had to lead worship outside their church building and believers had to sit in the dirty alley to pray outside their church.” VOM contacts added, “The sign outside the church building stated, ‘This church building is sealed,’ and it was written on a letterhead belonging to the Tambun Selatan district of Bekasi local government.” This is the second time Muslims have closed the church in Bekasi. The church was first closed on September 10, 2005, when a mob of 100 Muslims nailed boards over doors and windows and prohibited believers from entering the building. Praise God for the unwavering faith of believers in Indonesia. Ask God to watch over Pastor Anna and Huta Julu as they continue to lead other believers in Indonesia. Pray for protection for believers as they courageously live for Christ in the midst of hardships. John 15: 18-21

AZERBAIJAN

Pastor Arrested – Forum 18 News

On June 20, Pastor Hamid Shabanov was arrested after police claimed to find an illegal weapon while searching his home in Aliabad. According to Forum 18 News, “Pastor Shabanov’s family and congregation insist that police planted the gun they claimed to discover. Shabanov’s brother sees the arrest as a direct attack on the pastor’s Baptist church and an attempt to halt Christian activity in the area. Shabanov’s home was among those searched when another local pastor arrested on fabricated charges, Pastor Zaur Balaev, was detained in May 2007.” Pray that the truth of this situation will be made known and that Pastor Shabanov will be released. Pray that Christians in Azerbaijan will be emboldened to follow in their Savior’s footsteps. 1 Corinthians 4:9-16

Let us be grateful, and thank the Lord for the freedom we have in a free land.  Let us also pray for revival and spiritual awakening in our churches and land.

-Tim A. Blankenship