Voice of the Oppressed (Jesus, ritual, gospel, Kingdom, beliefs)

[michel]

Prayers for April 11, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

CHINA (Compass Direct)
A major Chinese house-church leader was scheduled for a potentially decisive court hearing April 6th, after more than 16 months in police custody. Zhang Rongliang was arrested by Henan police without charges on December 1, 2004. Only months later was he charged with "attaining a passport through cheating" and with "illegal border crossing." Chinese authorities often deny passports to well-known house-church leaders. Health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure have grown worse while he has been in custody. Previously, Zhang had been detained five times and spent a total of 12 years in prison for his religious activities. "This will be his third hearing," said a co-worker who asked to remain anonymous. "This time I hope the court can make an independent decision based on truth and justice." Although VOM has no further news of the outcome of this trial, we are concerned for Zhang's welfare.

Pray God will soften the hearts of the authorities to release this innocent man with serious health problems. Pray Zhang's faith will continue to inspire the millions of members of the house churches he led. Pray those who attend the trial will seek the One who has given Zhang so much peace in the midst of suffering.


EGYPT (Compass Direct)
Following a three-month search, an Egyptian Christian has discovered his missing sister living with a Muslim family near her home town and now professing faith in Islam. Spurred by a brief telephone message from Theresa Ghattass Kamal saying she was being held against her will and forced to convert to Islam, Sa'eed Ghattass Kamal recently tracked his sister. He found her in the Bedouin desert area of El-Ga'ar, near his home in Wadi El-Natroun, 50 miles northwest of Cairo. Flanked by her suspected captors and with only her eyes showing through her veil, Theresa Kamal sat with her brother for 90 minutes but only spoke once. "I have converted to Islam. I have found the right path," she reportedly said in a trembling voice.

Pray Jesus will draw near to Theresa Kamal, giving her His comfort and the strength to endure. Pray God will show Himself powerful on her behalf, allowing her to get away. Pray Jesus will appear to her captors through powerful dreams and visions.


NEPAL (ASSIST News Service)
Nepali evangelist Kumar was making plans to travel from his village to the capital city of Katmandu for a worship conference in early March, when three Mao insurgents paid him a visit. They approached Kumar, and demanded a 5,000 rupee "donation," (about $70 U.S.) to support their cause. When Kumar couldn't pay, they kidnapped him. They told Kumar he should stop following the foreign religion of Christianity and join them. They also said whatever money he was getting to do gospel work, he must give to them instead. Although he was afraid, Kumar insisted he must continue doing the work of the gospel. Hearing this, the rebels took Kumar and forced him to work as their porter, carrying weapons. Kumar followed the Maoists for 15 days against his will, on their military missions, carrying rifles and pressure-cooker bombs. He had little to eat and had to watch helplessly while the Maoists threatened other villagers like himself to get food and money to support their army. Eventually, Kumar was able to borrow money to give to the Maoists so they would let him go. He was released on March 15th. Kumar returned to his wife and five young children. Kumar's experience is not an unusual one. In the past 10 years of the ongoing Nepalese civil war, the Maoist guerrilla-based insurgency, who claims to be fighting for a democratic new Nepal, has often used force and scare tactics to elicit support. For gospel workers like Kumar, pressure comes from both the Mao rebels and the Royal Nepal Army police who are loyal to the king. Any kind of gathering is looked upon with suspicion by the police, ever on the look-out for guerrillas. Mao rebels see every able-bodied man as a potential recruit or supporter of their cause. Christians are often caught in the middle.

Pray God will give Nepali Christians His peace that comes from forgiving their enemies. Pray Jesus will grow His Body of believers in spite of opposition and danger. Pray the true Lord of Nepal will bring peace to this troubled land.


NIGERIA (Compass Direct)
"If you are forcing me to marry a man who is a Muslim simply because of my decision to become a Christian, then I will rather have you kill me than accept to marry this man." These were the bitter words of Jamila Noma, now 16, to her father, Malam Noma, in an Islamic court two years ago in Jimeri village, Bauchi state of Northern Nigeria. The girl had been arrested by police and brought before an Islamic court on the orders of her father when she became a Christian and rejected his decision to marry her off to a Muslim man. These two years have left her in an uncertain situation. The court has not decided the case; she has been disowned by her father and has been forced out of the family home. Jamila is staying with her lawyer, Suleiman Wurno, who is trying legal means to stop her from being prosecuted. He also has enrolled her in vocational training to become a tailor.

Pray God will protect Jamila from harm and cause her case to be dismissed. Pray she will find employment as a tailor and the Lord will provide a Christian husband for her. Pray God will soften the heart of Jamila's father to accept his daughter and allow her to visit her family safely.


VIETNAM (Compass Direct)
Less than a year after believers in Vietnam's central Quang Ngai province saw some of their dwellings destroyed, a mob burned down five homes of other Hre minority Christians in the legally recognized Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South). Church leaders believe local authorities either allowed or instigated the burning of the five homes owned by Hre Christians in Son Tinh Commune, Son Tay district of Quang Ngai province, on the morning of March 7th. In addition, two believers who had rebuilt area homes destroyed in July 2005 had their outbuildings for storing paddy rice burned on March 4th. One of the Christians, Dinh Van Heo, lost 55 sacks of rice and recently faced severe pressure to recant his faith.

Pray God will move in the hearts of the Quang Ngai authorities to enforce justice in this province. Pray the Christians' witness of love and forgiveness will lead many to Christ. Pray these acts of violence against the property of Christians will cause people to seek the Prince of Peace.

[michel]

Prayers for April 11, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

CHINA (Compass Direct)
A major Chinese house-church leader was scheduled for a potentially decisive court hearing April 6th, after more than 16 months in police custody. Zhang Rongliang was arrested by Henan police without charges on December 1, 2004. Only months later was he charged with "attaining a passport through cheating" and with "illegal border crossing." Chinese authorities often deny passports to well-known house-church leaders. Health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure have grown worse while he has been in custody. Previously, Zhang had been detained five times and spent a total of 12 years in prison for his religious activities. "This will be his third hearing," said a co-worker who asked to remain anonymous. "This time I hope the court can make an independent decision based on truth and justice." Although VOM has no further news of the outcome of this trial, we are concerned for Zhang's welfare.

Pray God will soften the hearts of the authorities to release this innocent man with serious health problems. Pray Zhang's faith will continue to inspire the millions of members of the house churches he led. Pray those who attend the trial will seek the One who has given Zhang so much peace in the midst of suffering.


EGYPT (Compass Direct)
Following a three-month search, an Egyptian Christian has discovered his missing sister living with a Muslim family near her home town and now professing faith in Islam. Spurred by a brief telephone message from Theresa Ghattass Kamal saying she was being held against her will and forced to convert to Islam, Sa'eed Ghattass Kamal recently tracked his sister. He found her in the Bedouin desert area of El-Ga'ar, near his home in Wadi El-Natroun, 50 miles northwest of Cairo. Flanked by her suspected captors and with only her eyes showing through her veil, Theresa Kamal sat with her brother for 90 minutes but only spoke once. "I have converted to Islam. I have found the right path," she reportedly said in a trembling voice.

Pray Jesus will draw near to Theresa Kamal, giving her His comfort and the strength to endure. Pray God will show Himself powerful on her behalf, allowing her to get away. Pray Jesus will appear to her captors through powerful dreams and visions.


NEPAL (ASSIST News Service)
Nepali evangelist Kumar was making plans to travel from his village to the capital city of Katmandu for a worship conference in early March, when three Mao insurgents paid him a visit. They approached Kumar, and demanded a 5,000 rupee "donation," (about $70 U.S.) to support their cause. When Kumar couldn't pay, they kidnapped him. They told Kumar he should stop following the foreign religion of Christianity and join them. They also said whatever money he was getting to do gospel work, he must give to them instead. Although he was afraid, Kumar insisted he must continue doing the work of the gospel. Hearing this, the rebels took Kumar and forced him to work as their porter, carrying weapons. Kumar followed the Maoists for 15 days against his will, on their military missions, carrying rifles and pressure-cooker bombs. He had little to eat and had to watch helplessly while the Maoists threatened other villagers like himself to get food and money to support their army. Eventually, Kumar was able to borrow money to give to the Maoists so they would let him go. He was released on March 15th. Kumar returned to his wife and five young children. Kumar's experience is not an unusual one. In the past 10 years of the ongoing Nepalese civil war, the Maoist guerrilla-based insurgency, who claims to be fighting for a democratic new Nepal, has often used force and scare tactics to elicit support. For gospel workers like Kumar, pressure comes from both the Mao rebels and the Royal Nepal Army police who are loyal to the king. Any kind of gathering is looked upon with suspicion by the police, ever on the look-out for guerrillas. Mao rebels see every able-bodied man as a potential recruit or supporter of their cause. Christians are often caught in the middle.

Pray God will give Nepali Christians His peace that comes from forgiving their enemies. Pray Jesus will grow His Body of believers in spite of opposition and danger. Pray the true Lord of Nepal will bring peace to this troubled land.


NIGERIA (Compass Direct)
"If you are forcing me to marry a man who is a Muslim simply because of my decision to become a Christian, then I will rather have you kill me than accept to marry this man." These were the bitter words of Jamila Noma, now 16, to her father, Malam Noma, in an Islamic court two years ago in Jimeri village, Bauchi state of Northern Nigeria. The girl had been arrested by police and brought before an Islamic court on the orders of her father when she became a Christian and rejected his decision to marry her off to a Muslim man. These two years have left her in an uncertain situation. The court has not decided the case; she has been disowned by her father and has been forced out of the family home. Jamila is staying with her lawyer, Suleiman Wurno, who is trying legal means to stop her from being prosecuted. He also has enrolled her in vocational training to become a tailor.

Pray God will protect Jamila from harm and cause her case to be dismissed. Pray she will find employment as a tailor and the Lord will provide a Christian husband for her. Pray God will soften the heart of Jamila's father to accept his daughter and allow her to visit her family safely.


VIETNAM (Compass Direct)
Less than a year after believers in Vietnam's central Quang Ngai province saw some of their dwellings destroyed, a mob burned down five homes of other Hre minority Christians in the legally recognized Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South). Church leaders believe local authorities either allowed or instigated the burning of the five homes owned by Hre Christians in Son Tinh Commune, Son Tay district of Quang Ngai province, on the morning of March 7th. In addition, two believers who had rebuilt area homes destroyed in July 2005 had their outbuildings for storing paddy rice burned on March 4th. One of the Christians, Dinh Van Heo, lost 55 sacks of rice and recently faced severe pressure to recant his faith.

Pray God will move in the hearts of the Quang Ngai authorities to enforce justice in this province. Pray the Christians' witness of love and forgiveness will lead many to Christ. Pray these acts of violence against the property of Christians will cause people to seek the Prince of Peace.

[Mister Emu]

Dear Mr -------,

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
(John 3:17)

We apologize to everyone who did not receive last week's Prayer Update and to all those who received multiple copies. We were experiencing some technical difficulties which have been resolved. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
The VOM Web Team Prayers for April 18, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

BANGLADESH (Compass Direct)
An angry mob set fire to a church in a remote area of Bangladesh on March 30th, capping a year of extreme hostility toward villagers who had converted from Buddhism to Christianity. While Bangladesh is a majority Muslim country, Buddhism flourishes in small pockets like Pancchari sub-district, where the attack took place. Immediately after the attack, a Bangladesh army contingent was deployed to Kinamonipara village in Pancchari to prevent further violence, according to local media reports. Christians attacked in Pancchari have been told not to contact higher authorities or seek hospital treatment or they would face greater persecution.

Pray God will surround this area of Bangladesh with His protecting angelic hosts. Pray the courageous faith of the believers as they continue to meet together will lead many to their Savior. Pray the Holy Spirit will overcome the spiritual darkness in Bangladesh with the light of Christ's love.

BURMA (ASSIST News Service)
Burma's military dictatorship has launched a new wave of attacks against predominantly Christian Karen villages, as reported by Christian Newswire on behalf of Christian Freedom International (CFI). "In Burma this time of year is known locally as the 'killing season' and this year is no exception," said the CFI story. "During the dry season soldiers can move easier in the dense jungles of Burma, and this year the military junta has stepped up its genocidal attacks on the Karen, an ethnic minority in Burma." More than 700 displaced men, women and children recently arrived in Ko Kay village. "When the new soldiers arrived in Toungoo and Nyaunglebin districts, they spread their soldiers around the area. They try to find Karen villages. If they see the villagers, they try to capture and persecute them. Therefore, people who are living there dare not face the Burma army. They fled their villages and are hiding in the mountainside and jungle in safe places to save their lives," said Aro. This is creating a humanitarian emergency. Aro is reported to have said, "The Burmese came and destroyed everything so all the villagers having nothing to eat and cannot grow food for the year."

Pray God will comfort His suffering people with His presence and strength in these evil days. Pray Christians worldwide will respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Burma. Pray the Holy Spirit will move powerfully to lead the military leaders to seek the God of love and peace.

CHINA (China Aid Association)
CAA learned an anonymous party has submitted a petition on behalf of Pastor Gong Shengliang to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Meanwhile, Pastor Gong's family members and legal representatives filed an appeal for medical parole due to the pastor's poor health. Pastor Gong, imprisoned since 2001 for his religious beliefs, is an evangelical Christian pastor and founder of the South China Church. He was falsely charged with rape, but every woman whom the government cited as accusing him has recanted the accusations, saying they were made under threat of torture.

Pray God will use these petitions to secure Pastor Gong's release. Pray Jesus will comfort this faithful believer and touch his body with His healing hand. Pray the Lord will move in the hearts of Chinese authorities, drawing them into a relationship with Christ.

INDIA (VOM-Canada)
Dr. Samuel Thomas of Hopegivers International is still in jail. Requests for bail made on April 1st and 10th were denied. The next bail hearing is schedule for April 24th. Letters of encouragement may be sent to him at <A title=https://prisoneralert.com/ href="https://prisoneralert.com/">www.prisoneralert.com

Pray Jesus will comfort and encourage Dr. Thomas with His presence. Pray the next bail hearing will result in his being released from custody. Pray God will continue to protect the Christian orphanage in Kota that is continually on Dr. Thomas' heart.

(Compass Direct)
The Rajasthan state assembly is considering a bill approved in principle that would prohibit "forced or fraudulent" conversions. Christian groups fear Hindu elements will use this against people who have legitimately decided to follow Christ. In other states in India, government officials and religious groups have used such legislation to curb voluntary, legal conversions. The bill was approved in principle on March 24th, but has not been adopted yet as law. In a press release, the All India Christian Council said the Rajasthan bill would be "a stick used to harass minorities in a state where they already feel insecure."

Pray God will protect His followers and grow His Kingdom in spite of any political moves to hinder the growth of Christianity. Pray Christians will remain loving witnesses of the One who died for all. Pray God will soften the hearts and open the minds of Hindus who are under the control of the enemy.

NIGERIA (Compass Direct)
Two female Christian students remain missing after seven Muslims, also young women students, attacked them on March 18th, at Ahmadu Bello University in Kaduna state. The two students were about to bathe at the women's residence when the Muslim women emerged from a mosque and attacked, beating them until they were unconscious. The women, identified only as Joy and Priscilla, were treated at the university health clinic but were not seen again before the university closed for a break shortly after; nor have they been seen since it reopened on March 28th. Their disappearance has raised religious tensions on campus. James Kagbu, the university's Joint Chapel Council secretary, said, "Muslim students under the auspices of the Muslim Students' Society have been terrorizing Christians in the university without provocation."

Pray Joy and Priscilla will be found and returned to their families. Pray they will be strengthened by the presence of their Savior. Pray Christians at the university will be the fragrance of Christ to fellow students.

PAKISTAN (VOM sources)
VOM contacts in Pakistan reported on April 8th that Pakistani Christian, Parvez Masih, who was arrested and jailed under false blasphemy charges five years ago in April 2001, was released. After years of inhumane treatment, threats, beatings and trials, the headmaster of a private Christian middle school was found not guilty of violating Law 295c (blaspheming the prophet Mohammed). When Parvez Masih's Iqbal Memorial School (comprised of 25 Christian and 125 Muslim students in 2004) was gaining influence in a village near Lahore early in 2001, the jealousy of a Muslim group running a rival school was roused. Shortly thereafter, some of Parvez's students asked him if it was true Mohammed had a 9-year-old wife. Parvez graciously mentioned her name, "Aisha," while telling them to learn more about her from their religious leaders. Based on the testimonies of two of the questioning boys, Parvez was arrested on April 1, 2001, and accused of blaspheming Mohammed under Law 295c. He was taken to a nearby river and told to deny his faith in Jesus at gunpoint on this date, but he would not.

Give thanks and praise to God for Parvez's release. Pray our loving and powerful Father will protect him from any attacks from disgruntled Muslims. Pray publicity concerning this case will cause many moderate Muslims to question their faith.

www.persecution.com

[Mister Emu]

Dear {reader},

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
(Colossians 3:1-4)

Edit: Continued below

[Mister Emu]

Prayers for April 25, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs
CHINA (Compass Direct)
The court judging house-church leader Zhang Rongliang acknowledged, "There is insufficient evidence and ambiguous facts," and has submitted the case to the Zhengzhou City Intermediate People's Court asking for legal advice. The Zhongmu City People's Court made the request after a two-hour court hearing in April, during which Zhang (charged with falsifying a passport) argued his right for a passport as a Chinese citizen. Zhang also denied the accusation he was behind "attaining passport through cheating" for three of his co-workers. Henan police arrested 55-year-old Zhang without charges on December 1, 2004. Only months later were charges brought against him.

Give thanks to God the court acknowledges the weakness of the charges against Zhang. Pray he will be completely exonerated and released very soon. Pray Chinese authorities will recognize they need not fear Christians.

(China Aid Association)
China Aid Association's field investigators in China report seven foreign evangelical church leaders including five Americans and two Taiwanese were interrogated for five hours on March 23, 2006. Eighty Chinese house-church leaders from 20 provinces were attending a meeting with Christian leaders from America. These 80 leaders represent 25 Chinese minority groups. The five Americans are from churches in Greensboro, North Carolina. Among them two are white Americans and three are Chinese Americans. Since the two white American pastors are still inside China and some of the released Chinese pastors are still monitored by the Chinese security agents, their names are not available to the public. CAA learned this raid was directly orchestrated by the director of the Public Security Bureau of Yunnan province and carried out jointly by the officers from the provincial public security, national security, foreign affairs office, religious affairs bureau and military police officers. According to an eyewitness, the Chinese officers' attitudes were very rude, and they refused to show their IDs and even ate all of the food prepared for the pastors' lunch. The foreign religious leaders were accused by their interrogators of being foreign religious infiltrators. At 2:00 p.m. (Beijing Time), following a five-hour marathon interrogation, all of those arrested were released, and some were followed back to their home provinces.

Pray God will protect the faithful believers who are still under surveillance. Pray authorities will see Christ in them. Pray the Lord will continue to grow His body in China.


EGYPT (ASSIST News Service)
Muslims and Coptic Christians have clashed in Alexandria, Egypt, after a Coptic worshipper was stabbed to death in church. Egyptian officials have blamed the attacks on extremists, but Coptic Christians say the government is not doing enough to protect them. On Saturday, April 15th, thousands of Copts joined the funeral procession for Noshy Atta Guirgis, the Coptic Christian killed during the attacks on four Coptic churches in Alexandria on Good Friday. Seventeen Copts were also injured during the attacks. Muslims clashed with Copts who were peacefully marching on Saturday along the funeral route in Alexandria. The Copts were protesting statements made by Egyptian officials about the church attacks. The BBC reported that while the Egyptian government has stated a "deranged" man was arrested for carrying out all the attacks at the three churches, some Copts believe they were carried out simultaneously as part of an anti-Christian plot by extremist Muslims. In a statement, the Alexandria Clergy Council and the Alexandria Laymen Council condemned the official statements by Egyptian officials on the attacks as "deceptive" and lacking in "transparency." According to Dr. Monir Dowoud, president of the International Christian Union, Copts in Egypt have been the victims of severe human rights abuses and oppression for many years.

Pray the Holy Spirit will give Coptic Christians boldness to proclaim their faith and the mind of Christ to forgive their enemies. Pray the witness of Christians will be to the glory and praise of God. Pray many Muslims will tire of continual violence and seek the Prince of Peace.


ERITREA (Compass Direct)
In addition to the jailing of another Protestant pastor in February, authorities have also jailed 70 Muslims for opposing the government appointment of the chief mufti. Informed sources in Asmara confirmed in early April the 70 Muslim prisoners arrested in the past two years are confined in one cell at the Wongel Mermera center. Most of the 28 jailed pastors and priests from the Protestant and Orthodox churches are also held at the Wongel Mermera center, where prison authorities have gathered them into one cell to keep them from "influencing other prisoners with the gospel." Asmara sources have confirmed the arrest of Pastor Daniel Heilemichel of the Charismatic Word of Power Church, taken from his home on February 23rd. "His wife is in great distress," a local Christian told Compass, noting the couple had been married just a month prior to Heilemichel's arrest.

Pray Jesus Himself will be in the midst of the imprisoned Eritreans. Pray the Holy Spirit will strengthen the Christian prisoners to be both bold and loving in their witness. Pray millions of Christians worldwide will come boldly to the throne of grace and these suffering Christians will obtain God's mercy and grace in their great need.

INDIA (Compass Direct)
Two weeks ago, Hindu leaders attending a centenary celebration of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) converted at least 344 tribal Christians to Hinduism. Although police were present, they took no action to enforce Orissa state anti-conversion laws that require official permission for such events. The so-called "reconversions" took place on Sunday (April 9th), as key Hindu dignitaries encouraged the Christians to blow conch shells and recite Hindu scriptures in a symbolic "return" to Hinduism—though most tribal people are traditionally animist, not Hindu. The RSS had set a target of reconverting more than 10,000 people. Observers said intense media scrutiny lowered conversion numbers.

Pray our forgiving Father will gently draw those who were pressured to "reconvert" back into His loving arms. Give thanks to God the media attention helped lower the conversion numbers. Pray the Lord will empower Christian evangelists to continue bringing many Hindus and animists into His Kingdom.

(Compass Direct)
An anti-conversion bill passed by the Rajasthan state assembly last Friday (April 7th) is unconstitutional and could lead to an "explosive situation" in the state, Christians say. Religious tensions in the state are already high following the March 16th arrest of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Thomas, president of Emmanuel Mission International. Thomas is charged with hurting the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. "In the context of the ongoing harassment of Christians in Kota district, Rajasthan, the anti-conversion law will lead to an explosive situation," Dr. John Dayal, secretary general of the All India Christian Council, told Compass.

Pray God in His omnipotent power will block the plans of Hindus in Rajasthan state who plan to use the anti-conversion bill to persecute believers. Pray Christians will know the inner peace that comes from their faith in Christ. Pray for the Hindus who have never known the joy of salvation.

(ASSIST News Service)
India's Supreme Court has granted Hopegivers' founder Bishop M.A. Thomas relief from an outstanding arrest warrant. The 72-year-old Thomas had been forced into hiding for more than two months because of death threats from radicals and persecution by anti-Christian local authorities. Meanwhile, Dr. Samuel Thomas, Hopegivers' co-founder, has now been held in jail for 33 days on the charges of "creating communal disharmony." His bail hearing has been delayed three times.

Praise God Bishop Thomas no longer has to remain in hiding. Pray Jesus will strengthen Dr. Samuel Thomas with a sense of His comforting presence. Pray the witness of Dr. Thomas' forgiving love will lead many to seek his Savior.

NORTH KOREA (Jubilee Campaign)
This week has been designated "North Korean Freedom Week." The activities kicked off with a concert and program April 22nd in Lafayette Park (across from the White House) to appeal to the world to free all abductees held in North Korea. Throughout the week there will be many events calling attention to the plight of Christians in North Korea. There will be an all-night prayer vigil for North Korean refugees, jailed humanitarian workers and repatriated North Koreans. On the 28th and 29th there will be prayer vigils in Los Angeles and Houston, respectively. In a statement promoting North Korea Freedom Week, Charles W. Colson said, "Living here in the United States, it is hard for us to imagine that up to 200,000 people, including thousands of children, are held in the horrid political prison camps of North Korea. The religious and political oppression in North Korea is unimaginably brutal."
Pray God in His mercy will answer the prayers of the millions of Christians who are pleading for the release of their brothers and sisters in North Korea. Pray Jesus will comfort the suffering believers with His loving presence. Pray the light of Christ will shine brightly to overpower the spiritual darkness in North Korea.


www.persecution.com

[Mister Emu]

Dear {reader},

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
(Philippians 4:6-7)

Prayers for May 2, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

INDONESIA (Compass Direct)
On April 9th, a Muslim community group called Majlis Taklim entered the premises of a Christian social institution in West Java, Indonesia, demanding its closure for the fifth time this year. The Apostolic Nation Building Foundation (ABB) operates from a residential building in West Bekasi district, West Java. Around 70 Majlis Taklim members came to the ABB headquarters on April 9th, and told the foundation to cease all activities, accusing them of running an illegal church and trying to "Christianize" the community. The staff immediately called the police who arrived and monitored the situation. There was no violence. Majlis Taklim coordinator, Radesman Saragih, said church members should take the warning seriously or be prepared to face unspecified negative consequences.

Pray members of the ABB will stand firm in their faith