Prayer Update From VOM as of 11/13/09

VOM–USA Prayer Update for November 13, 2009

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

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6–9

IRAN — Church Closed — Farsi Christian News Network

2 Thessalonians 1:3, 5–8

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, … which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Central Assemblies of God Church has been forced to shut down its Friday afternoon services and can hold only two services on Sundays, Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) reported. The church, which is the largest public and formal gathering of Iranian Christians in Iran, was forced to close by the Iranian Ministry of Information. “Reverend Soorik … has been under ongoing pressure from the officials of the Ministry of Information to close down the church on Fridays, the official weekly holiday in Iran, and lately was warned that the Pasdaran Militia (The Revolutionary Guards) had been demanding the closure of the church,” FCNN reported. The Rev. Soorik decided to close the church voluntarily instead of waiting for security officials to close it. According to FCNN, the Assyrian Pentecostal Church of Shahrara was shut down in 2008. It had offered services on Fridays and Sundays in the Farsi language to Farsi speaking Iranians for more than eight years. The government has not given reasons for shutting down the services, but believers in Iran think the recent wave of media and Web-based attacks on Christian media, satellite channels, and evangelistic activities demonstrate the Iranian government’s intent to prevent Christians from worshiping. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with and supports persecuted believers in Iran. VOM encourages you to pray for believers who face challenges daily as they live for Christ with courage and faith.

CHINA — UPDATE: Expelled Student Invited Back to School — China Aid Association

Matthew 5:11–12

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Chen Le, a 17-year-old high school student who was expelled from school because of his Christian faith, was invited on Oct. 29 to return to school, according to the China Aid Association. On Oct. 28, the Party Secretary of the High School Division and several other party members and instructors from the Huashan Middle School visited Chen Le at his home and politely invited him to return to his studies. The Party Secretary was reportedly deeply concerned by international pressure caused by the expulsion. Praise God for Chen Le’s courage and for this positive outcome. Pray that God will protect and encourage him as he continues to stand for Christ.

ETHIOPIA — Evangelists Released from Prison — Compass Direct News

Psalm 91:16

“With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”

Two Ethiopian Christians who were sentenced to prison in July on false charges of paying people to convert to Christianity were released on Oct. 23, according to Compass Direct News. Temesgen Alemayehu’s and Tigist Welde Amanuel’s six-month prison sentences had been reduced to fines of 500 birr (approximately US $37) several weeks earlier, but before they could be set free they were accused by fellow inmates of insulting the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. They were then sent back to detention, where Alemayehu was reportedly denied medical treatment for a kidney infection. A judge later rejected the new charges against them, finding the evidence to be contradictory. Upon their release, Amanuel stated, “Through prayers and God’s intervention, we are now released from prison. We thank those who prayed on our behalf.” Praise God for their release, and pray for their protection.

Let’s always remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who boldly stand and risk, and even at times give their lives for the name of Jesus that others might know Him.

-posted by T.A.

Prayer for Christians in Pakistan, Ethiopia, India, and China

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.

China, Ethiopia, and India Christians

The Christians of China, Ethiopia, and India are being heavily persecuted for their faithful worship of Jesus Christ and faithful service to Him.

The following is from the Voice of the Martyrs weekly Prayer Update.  I present it in whole:

VOM News and Prayer Update: October 23, 2007 “No one is holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.”(I Samuel 2:2)

CHINA

UPDATE – Prominent House Church Leader Beaten by Police Again – China Aid Association

On October 16, prominent house church leader Hua Huiqi was released from Tiantan Hospital and returned home. However, China Aid Association reported that the following day Public Security Bureau (PSB) police officers attacked and beat up Hua again after refusing to allow him to use the bathroom next to his bedroom. China’s PSB recently put Hua under house arrest. Pastor Hua’s 77-year-old-mother, Shuang Shuying, remains very ill in prison, serving a two-year sentence. Pray for Pastor Hua’s recovery and thank God for His faithfulness as Hua endures these recent attacks. Pray for the healing of his mother and that her testimony will draw non-believers into the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 27: 1, Psalm 23

ETHIOPIA

Muslims Attack Homes in Ethiopia – VOM Sources

On October 16, Muslims attacked 25 Christian families and demolished 12 homes in Seka Yoyo, in the southwest of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. According to The Voice of the Martyrs’ contacts, the families were forced to flee to nearby Jimma. Thank God no believers were killed or seriously harmed during this attack. Pray the believers will be safe in Jimma, where there has been several incidents of violence in recent months, leaving at least six Christians dead. Ask God to protect and encourage Christians that have lost their homes. Pray for the safety of Christians in Ethiopia.

Psalm 68:19, Philippians 4:19

INDIA

Pastors Beaten and Detained in India – VOM Sources

On October 11, Pastor Ganesh Murthy was attacked by two Hindu extremists while he was distributing literature and praying for local people in the village of Rampura, Karnakata. The extremists verbally abused, beat and dragged him to the local police station where he was detained on charges of forcible conversion. The extremists also tried to forcibly convert Pastor Murthy to Hinduism by promising to meet the financial needs of his wife and three children if he complied. However, the pastor refused the offer and stood firm in his faith. He is still in prison.

On October 14, Pastor Thadikal and his wife were attacked in their home in the Vayandu district of Kerala, by two Hindu extremists. The pastor and his wife sustained serious head injuries. Pray for Christians in India who are standing strong in their faith in Jesus Christ. Ask God to heal and protect those injured. Pray for the release of Pastor Murthy from prison.

Psalm 91, Psalm 107: 20

Let us be in prayer for one another as followers of Jesus Christ.  Remember November 11, 2007 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.  On this day I am planning a sermon in recognition of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for Jesus sake.  Encourage your pastor to do something in honor of those who are risking and giving their lives for the cause of Jesus Christ.

You can find more info at the Voice of the Martyrs web site.