This Week’s VOM Prayer Update 06/26/09

As this prayer update deals with the Christians in Laos, China, and Belarus; let’s also remember to pray for the people of Iran as well.  From all reports there are many Christians there who are faithfully proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

VOM–USA Prayer Update for June 26, 2009

The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

LAOS — 13 Christians Arrested — VOM Sources

Lamentations 3:21-24

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “ Therefore I hope in Him!”

On June 12, 13 Christians were arrested by plain clothes police, after visiting Christian villages in Laos, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The visiting believers met the police when they were in the village for their routine daily work. The police questioned them about what they were doing in the village. The police have not disclosed why they arrested the believers and at last report the Christians are still being held at a provincial police station. The Voice of the Martyrs supports persecuted believers in Laos. VOM provides money to translate Bibles into multiple Laotian languages. Through this project, thousands of Christians will have access to the full Bible for the first time. VOM encourages you to pray for the release of these believers. Ask God to protect and encourage the believers in the villages. Pray God to bless Christians in Laos.

CHINA — House church leaders arrested in Sichuan — China Aid Association

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, 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 runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD Forever.

On June 9, several dozen Chinese officials from the Domestic Security Protection Squad barged into Pastor Li Ming’s home in Langzhong city, Sichuan province, where more than 30 house church leaders were gathered, according China Aid Association. Pastor Li’s home was searched and all of the believers arrested. Thirteen leaders were sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention. Five other leaders, including Pastor Li, were placed under criminal detention and are likely to face formal criminal indictment or up to three years of “re-education through labor.” The remaining leaders have been released. Ask God to give wisdom and guidance to the imprisoned leaders and their families. Pray for an end to crackdowns against believers in China.

BELARUS — Pastor receives hefty fine — Forum 18 News

Philippians 4:7

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

A court in the eastern town of Osipovichi has fined Pastor Nikolai Poleshchuk 2,100,000 Belarusian rubles (US$ 739) for running a Christian street library, according to Forum 18 News. The fine, according to local Christians, is the equivalent of nearly three month’s wages. Locals say this is the largest fine ever issued for religious activity in Belarus. In January, Poleshchuk and another believer were approached by the head of the Osipovichi District Ideology Department and told that they had no right to run the street library since their church is unregistered. At a hearing in March, Poleshchuk was given an official warning and the confiscated Christian literature was ordered to be destroyed. At the trial, Poleshchuk was charged with “violation of the procedure for organizing or conducting mass events or pickets.” The court also amended their decision regarding the literature and ruled that the books instead be handed to the state. Pray that Pastor Poleshchuk will find peace in Christ in the midst of pressure and opposition for his faith. Pray that God will embolden him and other Christians in Belarus to continue spreading the Gospel in their nation.

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

Let’s remember to be praying one for another, as the world, and the “earth dwellers” grow harder of heart.

T.A.

VOM Prayer Update 11/04/08

Let’s always remember our brothers and sisters in chains for Christ sake.  The following is the Prayer Update for the week of 11/04/08.

BELARUS – Protestant Bishop Deported — Forum 18 News

On Oct. 16, Protestant Bishop Veniamin Brukh, a Ukrainian bishop in the Full Gospel Church, was deported from Belarus because of his active religious activities, Forum 18 News reported. Brukh, founder of one of the largest charismatic churches in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, told Forum 18 News he believed he was deported because of his “continued active participation in the local Protestant community.” He also stated, “The secret police and state affairs apparatus were monitoring that activity. They probably consider me a danger to the state.” VOM encourages you to pray for believers in Belarus who are facing persecution. Pray the churches Brukh led will continue to stand strong and spread the gospel. Pray their testimony will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him.

Philippians 4:6-7

CHINA – Christian Persecution Intensifies — China Aid Association

On Oct. 29, China Aid Association (CAA) reported that since the end of the Olympics in Beijing, cases of religious persecution have increased. CAA has received reports of intensified religious persecution in Beijing, Heilongjiang, Yunnan and Shangdong provinces. In Beijing Pastor “Bike” Zhang Mingxuan and his family members were evicted from their home, beaten and arrested. In Heliongjiang province, the city of Yichun recently banned all house churches, CAA also reported. In Yunnan province, house church members were attacked right after the Olympics. In Shandong province, Pastor Zhang Zhongxin was sentenced to two years of re-education through labor. After the Olympics his appeal was denied, according to CAA. Meanwhile, CAA has learned that 29 house church leaders have been serving time in labor camps and prisons in Henan province since July 2007. They are accused of being “evil cult” members. One leader was sentenced to seven years imprisonment the harshest sentence against a house church leader in recent years, besides Pastor Zhang Rongliang. Pastor Zhang was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in 2004 for allegedly “attempting to illegally cross the border and forgery of an official document,” according to CAA. Pray for Christians in China who face immense challenges. Pray the Holy Spirit encourages and protects believers as persecution increases in China.

Joshua 1:8

SOMALIA – Christian Aid Worker Beheaded for Leaving Islam — Compass Direct News

In September, a Christian aid worker was beheaded for converting from Islam to Christianity, among other charges, according to an eyewitness. Muslim extremists from the al Shabab group fighting the transitional government in Somalia, sliced the head off Mansuur Mohammed, 25, before horrified onlookers of Manyafulka village, 10 kilometers from Baidoa, Compass Direct News reported. The extremists had intercepted Mohammed, who managed to escape, earlier in the morning. Sources close to Mohammed’s family said he converted from Islam to Christianity in 2005. An eye witness said extremists gathered villagers telling them that they would prepare a feast for them. Five masked men emerged, carrying guns, wielding Somali swords and dragging the handcuffed Mohammed. One recited the Quran as he proclaimed that Mohammed was a “murtid,” an Arabic term for one who converts from Islam to Christianity. Mohammed remained calm with an expressionless face, never uttering a word, said the eyewitness. Pray Mohammed’s family will be comforted. Ask God to protect and encourage believers in Somalia. Praise God for his faithfulness.

Proverbs 3:5-6

-Tim A. Blankenship