VOM–USA Prayer Update for September 10, 2010

VOM–USA Prayer Update for September 10, 2010
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. Hebrews 13:3

AFGHANISTAN — Aid Workers’ Deaths Set Tone for Christians — World Evangelical Alliance/Compass Direct News

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

An investigation into who is responsible for the deaths of eight Christian aid workers continues. According to the Associated Press, a Taliban representative said they had killed the aid workers because they were spies and were “preaching Christianity.” The executive director of International Assistance Mission rejected the initial report that the attacks were a result of a robbery. In recent months, experts expressed concern over political threats against local Christians and these latest incidents have the potential to intimidate further both local and foreign Christians in Afghanistan. Pray for the protection of Christians in Afghanistan. Pray the Lord will give the small Christian community in this nation a spirit of faithfulness and confidence. Ask the Lord to use this recent tragedy to accomplish his purposes in Afghanistan.

TURKMENISTAN — Pastor Faces Criminal Charges — Forum 18 News

Revelation 2:9–11
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

Pentecostal pastor Ilmurad Nurliev faces criminal charges of “large-scale swindling,” according to Forum 18 News. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and possible confiscation of property. Pastor Nurliev was arrested at his home in southeastern Turkmenistan on Aug. 27. Three women who previously attended Nurliev’s church wrote statements stating the pastor took money from them. Nurliev’s wife and other church members vigorously deny these charges, saying police pressured the three to write the statements and that they now regret doing so. Another church member has been threatened that if she does not testify against Pastor Nurliev, her husband, who is not a church member, will be fired from his job. Please pray that the truth of this case may come to light. Ask the Lord to comfort and sustain Pastor Nurliev and his wife, Maya. Please pray for wisdom and guidance for all of those who are involved in the case. Pray the church in Turkmenistan will be strengthened in spite of hostilities.

EGYPT — Christian Community Attacked by Muslims — Assyrian International News Association

Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

On Aug. 13, an imam in Shimi, Egypt used Friday prayers to incite local Muslims to wage jihad against the local Coptic Christian community, according to Assyrian International News Association. Within hours, an Islamic hard-liner named Mohamed Ali Almstaui had a disagreement with Maher Amin, local Copt, and a fight broke out. Later that evening, Mohamed led a mob of 20 Muslims who broke down Amin’s door and assaulted his family. When security forces arrived, they arrested the Christians, ignoring their injuries, so they could pressure them to accept “reconciliation,” as required by Egyptian law. Less than 24 hours after “reconciliation” was brokered, Mohamed led a Muslim mob in another attack against Copts in homes, on the streets and in fields. The Copts are greatly distressed by their evident helplessness, knowing that in the absence of legal protection they are essentially without rights and are extremely vulnerable to further violence. Pray Christians in Egypt will preach the gospel with boldness in areas where incidents of persecution continue to increase. Pray the Lord will soften the hearts of those who currently oppose Him and His church.

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