VOM Prayer Update 08/07/09

VOM–USA Prayer Update for August 7, 2009

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

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:10-12

PAKISTAN — Muslim Mob Attacks Christians — VOM Sources

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler[a] And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

On July 30, Muslim extremists attacked Christians, burning more than 50 homes and animals in Faisalabad, Pakistan, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Muslims falsely accused Christians of burning the Quran during a wedding ceremony the previous day. Muslim extremists claimed they attacked believers because police did not arrest anyone for their complaints about a burned Quran. This is the fifth incident of persecution against Christians in two months. Muslims are threatening more attacks. Pray for believers who have lost their homes and livestock. Ask God to provide for and encourage them. Pray false accusations by Muslims will draw believers closer to the Lord and for their faithfulness to draw non believers into faith with Christ.

ERITREA — Christian Dies in Prison — Compass Direct News

Romans 8:34-36

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

On July 23, Yemane Kahasay Andom, a Christian imprisoned for his faith in Eritrea died after authorities denied him medical treatment, according to Compass Direct News. Yemane is the third Christian to die in prison this year. He died at Mitire Confinement Center from complications with malaria and was reportedly tortured while in prison. It is believed his body was secretly buried at the camp. According to Compass Direct, two weeks prior to his death, Yemane was allegedly weakened by continuous physical torture and solitary confinement because he refused to sign a recantation form. Though Compass reports it is not clear what was written on the recantation form, most Christians interpret the signing of such a form as the denouncement of their faith in Christ. Pray for the Andom family and believers in Eritrea. Ask God to comfort others who have lost loved ones. Pray that Eritrean Christians will continue to follow Christ’s example of faithfulness, even at great cost. Pray that Eritrea’s leaders will repent and come to faith in Christ.

CHINA — Youth Camp Raided — China Aid Association

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Signs of an Apostle I have become a fool in boasting;[a] you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.

On July 23, Public Security Bureau (PSB) and Religious Affairs Bureau (RAF) officials raided a Christian youth camp in Nanyang city, Henan province. PSB and RAF officers took away all 20 students attending the camp for further investigation . The students, each under 18 years old, were released to their families that afternoon. Two instructors, 40 year-old Cheng Ping, and 30 year-old Miao Miao, were arrested and sent to the Yongan Lu Detention Center in Nanyang city. They were reportedly sentenced to administrative detention. The lengths of their sentences are unknown. Officials told church leaders who organized the camp not to speak publicly about the case. Pray the young people who had this strenuous experience remain faithful to Christ. Pray for their instructors who remain in prison. Pray believers in China will continue trusting God despite increased persecution.

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Most Recent Prayer VOM Prayer Update

The following requests are from Pakistan, India, and Eritrea:

VOM-USA Prayer Update for February 13, 2009

The Voice of the Martyrs USA:

 

“…I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…” Matthew 5:44 PAKISTAN — Islamic Extremists Beat Evangelist, Steal Rickshaw – VOM Sources

On Jan. 26, evangelist Azir was kicked and punched in the face by Muslim extremists after transporting Christians and evangelizing tools on his Scripture-covered rickshaw. The Voice of the Martyrs contacts report Azir was assaulted while returning from a Bible and Christian literature distribution in Punjab, Pakistan. Azir helped transport believers home in his motorcycle rickshaw, given to him by VOM in March 2008. “After the distribution and a blessed time with the people, the team returned to his village. Azir helped believers to get to their home. They were holding their Bibles, leadership materials, He Lived Among Us and Action Packs. This drew the anger of local Muslims who saw them,” VOM contacts said. “Then they beat him. They kicked and punched his face. His tooth was broken and he had a small injury on his lips. They snatched his rickshaw, thank God he was not seriously hurt,” VOM contacts added. Following the intervention of a village leader, Azir’s rickshaw was returned. VOM encourages you to pray for evangelist Azir and other believers in Pakistan. Praise God for their faithfulness and courage in the midst of persecution. Ask God to continue strengthening them and for blessings on Azir’s rickshaw business.

Isaiah 54:14

INDIA — Attacks on Christians Continue – VOM Sources

In recent weeks attacks on believers in India have continued.

Kerala — On Jan. 22, Pastor T. T. Abraham was beaten and kicked by three Hindu extremists while he was distributing Bible tracts in Vaithiry, Kerala state. The assailants fled when they saw someone passing nearby. Pastor Abraham sustained injuries to his neck, stomach and back.

Assam — On Jan. 24, 500 Christians returning from a priest’s consecration service were attacked by Hindu extremists when they attempted to return home by boat from Majuli Island in Assam state. Hindus hurled insults at the Christians, accused them of forcible conversion, and beat several people. The Christians fled in fear and did not return to the boat dock until later in the evening, when they were able to leave the island under police protection.

Maharashtra — On Jan. 26, members of the Navjivan Fellowship Church were conducting a baptism in the city of Gangapur, Maharashtra state when a group of Hindu militants armed with cricket stumps, iron rods and sticks arrived. Shouting “Jai Shri Ram” (hail to Lord Ram), the militants beat those present, including women and children. They also damaged the car of one Christian. One believer was injured in the head and others sustained broken limbs.

Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Pray that those who accuse Christians of forcible conversion will be silenced. Ask God to enable Christians in India to grow in Christ- likeness through their trials.

Zephaniah 3:17

ERITREA – Christians Die in Prisons — Compass Direct News

Mehari Gebreneguse Asgedom, 42, died in solitary confinement at the Mitire Military Confinement Center on Jan. 16 from torture and complications from diabetes, according to Compass News Direct. In October, Teklesenbet Gebreab Kiflom, died while imprisoned for his faith at the Wi’a Military Confinement Center. He was reported to have died after prison commanders refused to give him medical attention for malaria. Pray for the families of the deceased believers. Ask God to encourage other Christians suffering for Christ’s sake in Eritrean prisons.

Psalm 23

www.persecution.com

Always pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ; no matter what parts of the world they live in.  Especially lift these above needs.  God’s blessings are abundant.  Be strong, fear not, and trust in the LORD.

-T.A.

VOM Prayer Requests 01/09/09

One hundred brothers and sisters in Christ arrested in Eritrea;  Thirteen who converted to Christianity from Buddhism are held captive by Buddhist clerics in Bangladesh; and, a Church building is destroyed and believers were beaten in China.

Let’s pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are risking and giving their lives for the cause of Jesus Christ.

The following is the Voice Of The Martyrs Prayer Requests for January 9, 2009.

VOM-USA Prayer Update for January 9, 2009

The Voice of the Martyrs USA:

 

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1

ERITREA – Approximately 100 Christians Arrested – VOM Canada

Since late November, approximately 100 Christians, including men, women and children have been arrested by Eritrean authorities, VOM Canada reported. The wave of house arrests began in northern Eritrean cities and moved to southern regions before reaching the capital, Asmara, on Dec. 12. Some of the detained Christians were reportedly transferred to a military facility and were severely mistreated. Local sources indicate that an unspecified number may have died due to untreated injuries sustained in detention. Pray for the release of those detained. Ask God to comfort those who have lost loved ones. Pray that Eritrean Christians will continue to follow Christ’s example of faithfulness, even at great cost. Pray that Eritrea’s leaders will repent and come to faith in Christ.

1 Peter 2:21

BANGLADESH – Christians Held Captive – Compass Direct News

On Dec. 10, 13 believers who converted to Christianity from Buddhism four months ago were forcibly held captive by Buddhist clerics and local officials in Rangamati district, Chittagong division, Bangladesh, Compass Direct News reported. In an attempt to coerce them to reconvert to Buddhism, the Christians were reportedly pressured into undergoing Buddhist rituals, such as shaving their heads and wearing saffron robes. According to local Christian leaders, believers in this predominantly Buddhist area often face eviction from their homes or bodily harm if they refuse to return to Buddhism. Pray that these Christians will be released unharmed. Pray that they will cling to God for their strength. Ask God to work in the hearts of those who oppose His followers in this area.

Psalm 63:8

CHINA – Church Building Destroyed, Believers Beaten – China Aid Association

On Dec. 17, the officially registered Chengnan Christian Church of Tinghu district in Jiangsu province was attacked by a mob led by government officials, according to China Aid Association. Over 50 Christians were gathered for worship when police officers barged in and dragged several believers outside where more than a thousand people were gathered, including government officials and security guards. The crowd then demolished the church’s office, training center and cafeteria and confiscated church property. Ten believers were beaten when they tried to stop the destruction. The church has faced ongoing harassment from government officials and had obtained a court order on the evening of Dec. 16 to protect their building from such an attack. It is suspected that the destruction was the result of officials and powerful businessmen working in collusion to obtain the coveted church property by force. Pray for these Christians in the aftermath of this attack. Ask God to give healing to those injured. Pray that those responsible will come to repentance and be reconciled to God.

Romans 8:11

www.persecution.com

Pray for followers of Christ everywhere.

-T.A.