(Disclaimer: Information from the VOM Newsletter, posted here for informational purposes.)
VOM-USA Prayer Update for April 20, 2012
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” John 14:1–4
Nigeria—Fulani Herdsmen Raze Christian Villages in Central Nigeria Source: VOM Contacts Matthew 5:13–15 “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. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Fulani herdsmen have stepped up attacks on predominantly Christian villages in the central Nigerian state of Nasarawa this year. Four villages were attacked between April 2 and April 6, leaving 14 people dead, including Reverend Samuel Peter and the wife of Reverend Samson Akwe. The Fulani people are traditionally Muslim, and although no churches were destroyed, no properties owned by Muslims were damaged. Whole villages were displaced by the violence, in which the herdsmen burned homes, damaged crops, food stores and valuables. The four attacked villages are predominately inhabited by the Migili and Eggon tribes. Residents said the clashes came after the herdsmen allowed their cattle to graze on and destroy the residents’ crops. Christians in Nigeria have experienced wave after wave of violence this year in attacks like these and in a bombing campaign carried out by a terrorist group. Thank God for those who are committed to staying in the north to shine Christ’s light.
Algeria—Persecution is God’s Plan for My Life Source: VOM Contacts 2 Timothy 1:8–9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, An evangelist in Algeria has recommitted himself to the Lord after struggling for months following some persecution for his faith. “Azad” had been a believer for several years, but became discouraged after his father chased him out of his family home, and his wife’s family threatened to take away his wife if he continued to evangelize. A few months later, his boss fired him. He told a VOM worker, “I am so discouraged, and I feel hatred against God.” He stopped reading his Bible or going to church. But one day, he asked a Christian friend for something to read. The Christian gave him Tortured for Christ, a book written by VOM’s founder about his experiences in prison. The book had a profound effect on Azad and he decided he could accept persecution for his faith. Azad understood something he couldn’t see before; that he could accept the persecution he experienced as part of God’s plan for his life. Thank God he can now share in suffering for the gospel.
Kenya—Christian Meeting Bombed by Radicals Sources: VOM Canada, Compass Direct News Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. On March 31, a bomb attack at an outdoor worship service killed two Christians — a woman and an eight-year-old boy — and wounded more than 30 in the Kenyan city of Mtwapa. Five hundred Christians from 16 denominations were attending the outdoor service when a hand grenade was thrown towards the pastor’s podium. Muslims were also holding a meeting near the scene of the attack, where the Islamic preachers could be heard all the way to the Christian conference vilifying Christianity. Kenyan officials blamed members of al-Shabab, a radical Islamic group in nearby Somalia, for the bomb attack. The Kenyan government had issued a warning of a possible attack by the militants during Easter. Pray for God’s peace for the families.
Latin America VOM Program Pray for believers in Latin America, where VOM is helping repair house churches that are falling apart and adding room to those which need more space for worshippers. Government regulations make it next to impossible for any kind of church construction, even upkeep. *************
© 2012 The Voice of the Martyrs
http://www.persecution.com/
VOM-USA Prayer Update for April 20, 2012
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” John 14:1–4
Nigeria—Fulani Herdsmen Raze Christian Villages in Central Nigeria Source: VOM Contacts Matthew 5:13–15 “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. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Fulani herdsmen have stepped up attacks on predominantly Christian villages in the central Nigerian state of Nasarawa this year. Four villages were attacked between April 2 and April 6, leaving 14 people dead, including Reverend Samuel Peter and the wife of Reverend Samson Akwe. The Fulani people are traditionally Muslim, and although no churches were destroyed, no properties owned by Muslims were damaged. Whole villages were displaced by the violence, in which the herdsmen burned homes, damaged crops, food stores and valuables. The four attacked villages are predominately inhabited by the Migili and Eggon tribes. Residents said the clashes came after the herdsmen allowed their cattle to graze on and destroy the residents’ crops. Christians in Nigeria have experienced wave after wave of violence this year in attacks like these and in a bombing campaign carried out by a terrorist group. Thank God for those who are committed to staying in the north to shine Christ’s light.
Algeria—Persecution is God’s Plan for My Life Source: VOM Contacts 2 Timothy 1:8–9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, An evangelist in Algeria has recommitted himself to the Lord after struggling for months following some persecution for his faith. “Azad” had been a believer for several years, but became discouraged after his father chased him out of his family home, and his wife’s family threatened to take away his wife if he continued to evangelize. A few months later, his boss fired him. He told a VOM worker, “I am so discouraged, and I feel hatred against God.” He stopped reading his Bible or going to church. But one day, he asked a Christian friend for something to read. The Christian gave him Tortured for Christ, a book written by VOM’s founder about his experiences in prison. The book had a profound effect on Azad and he decided he could accept persecution for his faith. Azad understood something he couldn’t see before; that he could accept the persecution he experienced as part of God’s plan for his life. Thank God he can now share in suffering for the gospel.
Kenya—Christian Meeting Bombed by Radicals Sources: VOM Canada, Compass Direct News Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. On March 31, a bomb attack at an outdoor worship service killed two Christians — a woman and an eight-year-old boy — and wounded more than 30 in the Kenyan city of Mtwapa. Five hundred Christians from 16 denominations were attending the outdoor service when a hand grenade was thrown towards the pastor’s podium. Muslims were also holding a meeting near the scene of the attack, where the Islamic preachers could be heard all the way to the Christian conference vilifying Christianity. Kenyan officials blamed members of al-Shabab, a radical Islamic group in nearby Somalia, for the bomb attack. The Kenyan government had issued a warning of a possible attack by the militants during Easter. Pray for God’s peace for the families.
Latin America VOM Program Pray for believers in Latin America, where VOM is helping repair house churches that are falling apart and adding room to those which need more space for worshippers. Government regulations make it next to impossible for any kind of church construction, even upkeep. *************
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
© 2012 The Voice of the Martyrs
http://www.persecution.com/
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