9/2/11

Voice of the Martyrs Prayer Update for week of sept 2, 2011

VOM-USA Prayer Update for September 2, 2011

The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:12–13
Philippines—Christian Murdered in Mindanao—VOM Sources
Lamentations 3:31–33
But 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,
Pray for the grieving family of Clarito dela Cruz, who was murdered on July 26, 2011, near the town of Linamon in Mindanao province. A Muslim couple pretending to be husband and wife hired Clarito to drive them to a remote village and, likely assisted by a companion, tortured and strangled Clarito with an electrical wire. They then shot him twice before stealing his motorbike, which belonged to his father-in-law and was the family’s means of earning a living. Clarito’s wife, Leodel, is pregnant and is left to care for their 3-year-old son. Clarito’s parents oversee their church’s evangelism program, and his pastor told a VOM worker that Muslims in the area had tried to convert church members to Islam. Muslims attacked Christians in Linamon several years ago, burning homes and stealing livestock. VOM workers have met with Leodel to offer encouragement and prayer. Pray for the entire dela Cruz family as they grieve their loss.

Uzbekistan—Police Raid Christian Family’s House—Forum 18 News
Psalm 74:10
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
On July 23, 10 police officers raided the home of Muradiljon Umurzakov and Dilorom Mamasidikova, a married couple living in the city of Fergana. The officers twisted Muradiljon’s arms and threatened him, then searched his son’s room and confiscated a Bible, an Uzbek New Testament, a copy of the book of Proverbs and a Quran in Russian. All of the books have been authorized by the Religious Affairs Committee for import and sale. The police are reportedly preparing a case against the couple for the “illegal production, storage, import and distribution of religious materials” and for “illegal missionary activity.” Pray for this couple and other Christians in Uzbekistan.

Nepal—Christians Face Ongoing Discrimination—Compass Direct News
Deuteronomy 32:28–29
And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.
Stung by government discrimination and apathy, Christians in Nepal have begun a campaign to stop religious discrimination. Christians are asking the government to allow all institutions run by religious minorities to be registered as religious institutions and to be exempted from paying taxes. They are also requesting the amendment of the draft of a new penal code that would make conversions a punishable offense. Christians are concerned that continued delays in enacting the new constitution are giving militant Hindu groups time to push for the restoration of Hinduism as the state religion. Pray for Christians in Nepal as they struggle for recognition in their society. Pray that the political agendas of Hindu groups will not prevail.

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