(Disclaimer: Information from the VOM Newsletter, posted here for informational purposes.)
VOM-USA Prayer Update for April 27, 2012
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
China—Government Launches New Campaign to Eradicate House Churches
Source: China Aid Association
India—First Murder Conviction Related to 2008 Orissa Massacre
Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Bangladesh
VOM Project
VOM-USA Prayer Update for April 27, 2012
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
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, that you may be sons of your
Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44–45
Source: China Aid Association
- Isaiah 35:3–4
- Strengthen the weak hands,
And make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.”
A secret document obtained by China Aid Association
(CAA) details the Chinese government’s plan to eradicate house churches
within 10 years. The State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA)
issued the document in cooperation with the ministries of Public
Security and Civil Affairs. According to CAA, phase one of the strategy
involves a thorough investigation of house churches from January to June
2012. Phase two concentrates on “cleaning up” the house churches that
have been investigated within two to three years, and phase three aims
to eradicate the house churches within 10 years. Strategies for
accomplishing these goals include incorporating house churches into
government-sanctioned Three-Self churches; banning the words “house
church” from all websites, media and documents; and implementing humane
law enforcement measures. CAA reports that persecution and suppression
of house churches has risen by 20 percent this year. A house church
pastor from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, said, “The situation this year
is especially tense.” Pray for China’s house churches as they proclaim
the truth of the gospel. Pray that the Lord will strengthen them in the
midst of persecution.
Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide
- Psalm 6:8–10
- Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;
For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
The Lord has heard my supplication;
The Lord will receive my prayer.
Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;
Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.
Kartik Paramenika, a leader of the 2008 massacre in
Orissa, India, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of
Ramesh Digal. Paramenika’s murder conviction in March was the first
conviction related to the widespread mob violence against Christians in
Kandhamal, Orissa, in August and September 2008. Kartik led a mob to
Petapanga village in 2008, where he killed Ramesh and burned his home.
Ramesh worked as a cook in the school where Kartik served as headmaster.
In addition to the life sentence, Kartik was also sentenced to five
years for arson and was fined 5,000 rupees. Convictions are sometimes
difficult to obtain in India because witnesses are often threatened and
harassed. John Dayal, a member of the government of India’s National
Integration Council, said, “Justice remains the critical issue in
Kandhamal, where a combination of circumstances, including lacunae
[missing information] in investigations and coercion of witnesses, has
resulted in a long series of acquittals. This conviction will help begin
to rebuild faith in the judicial system. We must also congratulate the
public prosecutor for securing this major success.”
VOM Project
Pray for Christian converts in a discipleship program. They are taught to sew as a means of supporting themselves. The
worst persecution for Christian converts often begins after they are
baptized because baptism is seen as a formal declaration of faith. Many
converts are disinherited, forced to leave their parents’ homes and even
expelled from their villages.
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