The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
“Prayer is the coupling of primary and secondary causes. It is the splicing of our limp wire to the lightning bolt of heaven.” John Piper
“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. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Matthew 5:11-13
RUSSIA — Pastors Fined for Worship — Forum 18 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.”
Recently, two Baptist pastors in Russia's Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad were fined 2,200 rubles (US $75) after their church members "sang psalms and spoke about Christ" on the street, according to Forum 18 News Service. Kaliningrad police told Forum 18 News that the pastors did not get permission in advance to sing, as required by law. Asked why permission is necessary, a police official replied, "That's the law in Russia!" Aleksandr Legotin, one of the two Baptist pastors, insisted that the Baptists held a religious service and not a demonstration, so the legal requirement to notify the authorities in advance should not have applied. "We follow the law very carefully," he told Forum 18 News. "And under the Universal Declaration [of Human Rights], we have the right to freedom of conscience. The law should be … protecting us from such arbitrariness." At last report, the pastors had not decided whether they would appeal the fine. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for believers in Kaliningrad and other countries in Europe where their freedom to worship freely is coming under attack. Ask God to encourage and protect them.
PHILIPPINES — Elderly Priest Kidnapped in the Philippines — VOM Canada
Psalm 91:1-6
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.
On Oct. 10, Father Michael Sinnott, a 79-year-old priest from Ireland, was abducted by six armed men while he was conducting prayers at his home in the city of Pagadian, near Zamboanga (Mindanao), Philippines, according to VOM Canada. No one has taken responsibility, but the Islamic extremist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front is suspected in the kidnapping. Father Sinnott is known to have health problems, which increases concern about his well-being. According to reports, Filipino military informants spotted the religious leader and his captors on Oct. 12 in Lanao del Sur province, about 70 kilometers from where he was abducted, and again in another location the following day. Father Sinnott has been serving in the Philippines for the past 40 years. Pray that Father Sinnott's captors will release him unharmed, and pray for his health during this time of trial.
IRAN — UPDATE: Further Charges Brought Against Iranian Prisoners — VOM Contacts
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 Oct. 7, Maryam and Marzieh were unexpectedly taken back to court, where they faced charges of anti-state activity, propagation of Christianity and apostasy. The judge acquitted them of the charge of anti-state activity, and the other charges will be considered by a general court. Continue to pray for Maryam and Marzieh, who remain in prison awaiting their next hearing. Pray for their health, as they have been denied proper medical treatment.
Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
October 16 Prayer Update
VOM-USA Prayer Update for October 16, 2009
On Tue. Oct 13 2009 at 08:59 AM Moderator wrote:
PAKISTAN UPDATE—Sandul Bibi and Gulsher Masih Appear in Court—VOM Contacts
On Oct. 7, Sandul Bibi and her father, Gulsher Masih, appeared in court in Faisalabad, Pakistan, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The investigating officer in their case, Anayat Ullah Rahmani, did not appear in court. As a result, the judge set another court date for Oct. 17. Sandul and Gulsher have been in prison for more than six months on false blasphemy charges. Pray that Gulsher and Sandul will be released from prison. Praise God for their faithfulness and witness in prison, and ask God to strengthen their family.
2 Timothy 3:10–12
SOMALIA—Christian Leader Killed—Compass Direct News
On Sept. 28, an Islamic extremist shot and killed Mariam Muhina Hussein, an underground church leader, after discovering six Bibles in her possession, according to Compass Direct News.
The day before the shooting, a leader of the Islamic extremist group al Shabaab reportedly sent his wife to visit Hussein's home in Marerey village. She pretended she was interested in learning about Christianity. During the visit, Hussein read passages of the Bible and told the woman that she could visit regularly to discuss God's Word, according to Compass. The following day, the al Shabaab leader, identified as Sheikh Arbow, went to Hussein’s house with several other men and requested a Bible. When Hussein gave one to him, he revealed that he was looking for "Christians who have defiled the Islamic religion" and ordered her to show him the other Bibles that she owned. When she handed them over, Arbow shot her three times, killing her instantly. In recent weeks, several Christians in Somalia have been killed because of their faith in Christ. The Voice of the Martyrs rejoices in the life of Mariam Muhina Hussein. Praise God for her faithfulness. VOM encourages you to pray that those who mourn for her will draw near to Christ for comfort. Pray that God will grant Somali Christians encouragement and strength as they face trials for their Christian witness. Also pray that God will draw persecutors into fellowship with him.
Matthew 5:43–48
INDIA—Pastor Attacked—VOM Contacts
On Oct. 4, Pastor Prakash was attacked by 25 Bajrang Dal extremists while he was ministering in Kaiwara village, Bangalore Rural District, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The extremists assaulted the pastor and accused him of cheating people. After the attack, the pastor was questioned and held on complaints of “illegal activity.” Fortunately, other believers provided evidence that the pastor had not broken any laws but had visited their homes for prayer. At last report he was still in custody. Pastor Prakash has been in ministry for more than 10 years and pastors a church of 80 members. Recently, he had expanded his ministry to Kaiwara village, where 15 believers had been meeting for prayer on Sundays evenings. The Voice of the Martyrs actively supports persecuted believers by providing legal assistance to Christians like Pastor Prakash who have been arrested for their faith. VOM encourages you to pray for Pastor Prakash’s immediate release. Pray for the safety of his family and other believers in the area.
Revelation 2:10
No comments:
Post a Comment