Voice of the Martyrs Prayer Update for week of March 9, 2012

VOM-USA Prayer Update for March 9, 2012
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15–18

Nigeria—Suicide Bombers Attack Jos Church
Source: VOM Contacts, The Sun News (Nigeria), The Nation (Nigeria), Compass Direct

Luke 6:28–30
bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.

Boko Haram terrorists bombed a large church in Jos on Sunday, Feb. 26, killing a church member and a baby, along with themselves. Church security guards prevented the suicide bombers from reaching the church auditorium, where a service was in progress. Claiming responsibility for the attack, a Boko Haram spokesman said, “We have just started.” The suicide bombers arrived at the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) compound shortly after the 7 a.m. Hausa language service began. A security guard suspected of collaborating with the terrorists opened the gate for their Volkswagen vehicle packed with explosives. But other security guards, who noticed the unusual activity, shot one of the car’s occupants and managed to stop the vehicle before it reached the main church building. The car bomb exploded in the parking area at about 7:20 a.m., killing church usher Grace Daniel, a baby that died later at the hospital and the two bombers. At least 38 others were injured in the bombing. Pray for the families of those who died, and pray that believers in Jos will be able to respond to the constant violence in a way that honors God.

India—Hindu Activists Beat Pastor and Family Over Land Dispute
Sources: Global Council of Indian Christians, Compass Direct News

Exodus 11:10; 12:31
So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land. Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said.

Hindu activists recently beat a pastor, his daughter and the pastor’s brother after a disagreement over a piece of property. The dispute arose when a neighbor demanded part of Pastor John Chidambaran’s church land in Tamil Nadu state. After the two quarreled, the neighbor broke one of Chidambaran’s water pipes and Chidambaran filed a police complaint. In retaliation, the neighbor returned with 10 Hindu activists. They beat the pastor and accused him of forcing people to convert to Christianity (a punishable offense in some parts of India). They also beat his 27-year-old daughter, who had to be taken to the hospital. Police promised to help the pastor resolve the matter with his neighbor, but before they could take action, the neighbor and a Hindu extremist leader attacked and beat the pastor’s brother, Sahayam Chidambaran. They accused him of forced conversions and had him arrested. VOM partners are hopeful that Sahayam will be released in a few days. Pray that God will soften the hearts of the attackers and that Sahayam will be released soon.

Belarus—Officials Visit “Unlawful” Church Meetings
Sources: Forum 18 News Service

2 Chronicles 1:9–11

Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”

Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—

Government authorities visited three worship services in January, putting two pastors at risk of being charged with holding unlawful meetings. Although the meetings were in different parts of Belarus, all three were part of the Pentecostal Church. In Ogarevichi village, authorities observed the Sunday service of 10 disabled believers who meet because it is difficult for them to walk to a registered church service. Officials told them their meeting was illegal and that they should “stop violating the law.” The same day, authorities visited Pastor Yatskevich’s church in Lasitsk village. “They get complaints from Orthodox believers and have to respond,” he said. Another pastor, in the village of Kovnyatin, was issued an official warning on the same Sunday for leading worship. Unregistered religious activity is illegal in Belarus, punishable by up to two years in prison. Thank God that no one has yet been prosecuted for unregistered religious activity, and ask him to give leaders wisdom in their response to threats or arrests.

West Africa
VOM Project

Pray for a group of Christian converts from Islam who operate a VOM-supported taxi business. The taxi generates support for these believers, who have been rejected by society and their families in a severely restricted country.

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