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

[michel]

Prayers for August 30, 2005
From The Voice of the Martyrs

IRAQ (Christian Freedom International)
The radical "Iraqi Resistance" group is accusing Christian Freedom International and others of attempting to "Christianize" Iraq. Muhammad Abu Nasr of the "Free Arab Voice" wrote in the August issue of the "Iraqi Resistance Report" that "missionaries push Christianization under protection of U.S. occupation." According to Nasr, "Under the protection of the U.S. military occupation of Baghdad, American Christian missionaries have been pushing efforts at Christianization in Iraq (and that a) Christian Bible Society has set up a Bible society in the middle of occupied Baghdad." Christian Freedom International has been sending much needed humanitarian supplies to Iraq that is in turn distributed through local churches in Baghdad. "The aid," said CFI president Jim Jacobson, "is sent to local churches in Baghdad and freely distributed to all Iraqis regardless of their religion." "It is true," said Jacobson, "we do send Arabic language Bibles, but this is because the Bibles are in great demand and requested by Iraqi Christians."

Give thanks to God that Christian witness in Iraq is strong enough to warrant strong criticism from radical Muslims. Pray for the protection of all Christians who are distributing the Word of God to many who do not know Him. Pray many Muslims will see the love of Jesus in these caring people and will want to know the source of their extraordinary compassion.


PAKISTAN (Missions Insider)
A Muslim backlash against Christians, who are seen by many Pakistanis as tied to often reviled America, continued with two attacks on native missionaries. Several weeks ago a missionary was visited by three Muslim men late at night. The men held him at gunpoint and locked him and his family in a back room while they searched his house for two hours. They stole Bibles and Christian literature as well as blankets intended for orphaned children, and destroyed what they could not steal, including a computer and motorbike. Their parting words were a death threat. A few days later, a team of five young gospel workers witnessing in a North Pakistan village were surrounded by 300 Muslim extremists who beat them. The men were dragged to a local police station where policemen refused to let reporters photograph the victims. Thankfully, all the missionaries have been released.

Pray God will strengthen these faithful servants in Pakistan to continue to speak boldly about their Savior. Pray the attackers will be dumbfounded by the forgiving spirit of the believers. Pray all Muslims in Pakistan will see Christianity is not an American religion, but a relationship with the almighty, all-loving God.


LAOS (BosNewsLife News)
Across the country village chiefs and other workers have been pressured by communist authorities to give up their Christian faith. Human rights workers say the government regards church activities as questioning the communist system and threatens the government's power. In recent months communist-backed local authorities and police have raided several villages where possibly dozens of believers were tortured and detained on false charges ranging from owning "illegal weapons" to holding "illegal gatherings." An underground evangelical church leader says: "We know of several incidents near the Vietnam border where Laos police raided villages and forced locals to stand for three days with their hands in the air till they renounced their faith in Christ. Nobody is able to keep up with that kind of torture for so long…." Those who refused to obey were allegedly put in jail. He knows of six Christians in jail, including two brothers who were imprisoned about six years ago while another man sentenced with them died in recent years. (www.bosnewslife.com)

Pray God will give Christians supernatural endurance to withstand torture. Pray those who denied Christ will know Christ's forgiveness and compassion. Pray God will cause the Christian faith to continue to grow in Laos and bring peace to that suffering nation.


SAUDI ARABIA (ASSIST News Service)
AsiaNews has reported that, with the death of King Fahd and the arrival of King Abdullah, the persecution by the Saudi Kingdom of believers of religions other than Islam, especially Christians, is on the rise. AsiaNews sources in the Saudi capital have confirmed the religious police, called the Muttawa, has raided the homes of foreigners, especially suspect homes (i.e. those where Christians live). This has forced many groups who used to meet in the privacy of their homes for prayer to stop. Furthermore, people have stopped meeting out of fear the police might link them to one another. Indians are particularly targeted. In the last few months, nine Indians were arrested for illegal religious activities. The story goes on to say: "The Saudi government has banned any religious practice other than Wahhabi fundamentalist Islam. Any missionary activity or public expression of faith (having Bibles, wearing a crucifix, holding a rosary, praying in public) is outlawed. The religious police, well-known for its violence and torture, make sure that the ban is enforced." Pray God will give Christians in Saudi Arabia a fearless trust in His direction for their lives. Pray their faithfulness will lead many Muslims to Christ. Pray international pressure will expose these restrictive laws and the brutality of the religious police.


TURKMENISTAN (VOM-Canada)
On August 15th, police from the anti-terrorist branch in the northeastern Turkmenistan town of Dashoguz (Dashhowuz) summoned church leaders from the city's registered Baptist church for interrogation following the raid of an open-air service the previous day. According to Forum 18, the believers had just finished their worship service in the countryside outside the town and were gathering to enjoy a lunch together when police officers appeared and started questioning what they were doing. The officers then confiscated their Bibles and hymnals. When church leaders met with the police the following day, the officers claimed the church's national registration was not valid in northern Turkmenistan. "Individuals can only believe alone on their own at home," police told them. The church leaders were then pressured to write statements on how they became Christians and why they had Bibles. They were also pressured to sign declarations that they would not meet until the church obtained state registration. The leaders told the police, "We will continue to meet in the future, as our faith does not depend on registration."

Pray for the believers' continued boldness and determination to worship God despite the opposition of authorities. Pray God will give wisdom and discretion to each of the church leaders. Pray this witness of faith and courage will lead many to Christ.

[michel]

Prayers for October 11, 2005
From The Voice of the Martyrs

EGYPT (ASSIST News Service)
Three people died during a riot outside a Coptic church in Alexandria, Egypt. The riot was in protest of a play accused of offending Islam. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reports police used sticks and tear gas to hold back a crowd of around 5,000 protesters, who marched on St. George's church. Dozens of people were injured in the crush. Police report one man inhaled tear gas, was trampled and later died. October 19th, a nun was stabbed by a Muslim, who protested the sale of a DVD of the play, staged at the church in 2003. The demonstration was the latest in a series of incidents at the church related to the 2003 performance of the play entitled, "I Once Was Blind But Now I See." The drama tells the story of a poor young Copt who is drawn to Islamist militants who then try to kill him. Coptic Christian leaders report the play depicts the dangers of extremism, not of Islam. The church's director, Rev. Augustinous, denied the play was offensive to Islam because its Christian hero is ultimately saved by a Muslim friend. Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 70 million people. Egypt's majority is Muslim.

Pray the publicity surrounding this event will lead many Muslims to view the DVD and question the tenets of their faith. Pray Coptic Christians will be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit as they deal with fanatic Muslims. Pray the Lord will surround Coptic Christians with His love and mercy and protect them from harm.


NIGERIA (Compass Direct)
Christians in the rural areas of Kano are afraid to send their children to public schools, fearing they will be forced to convert to Islam. Students are being forced to study Arabic, Islam, and say Islamic prayers. Moreover, Christian leaders report the government refuses to grant churches permission to establish schools in rural areas. "The strategy is to force Christians to send their children to public schools so they can be forced to become Muslims," said Rev. Murtala Marti Dangora, secretary of the Kano district of the Evangelical Church of West Africa. Rev. Dangora, a former Muslim, said there are still numerous cases of persecution in the state; in one case, 15 Christians were forced to flee Banda village because of Muslim antagonism. Another Christian leader noted that Christians in Kano state have lost religious liberty and are seen as second-class citizens.

Pray Christians worldwide will lift these members of the Body of Christ before His Throne. Pray God will hear their cry and work a miracle of His grace to allow believers in Nigeria to worship freely. Pray many Muslim authorities will seek the true God who loves them and grieves for their lost souls.


TURKEY (VOM sources)
VOM has received word that a high-ranking U.S. official has solidified an agreement for the freedom of the Iranian widow and her children who had been ordered to be deported to Iran where they faced imprisonment and possible execution. The agreement states they "cannot be" deported to Iran. An arrangement is being processed for the necessary paperwork to allow them to leave Turkey very soon.

Join with this family, their friends and intercessors worldwide in praising God for His divine intervention. Pray they will find a good home, Christian friends and suitable employment in the place God has prepared for them. Continue to pray God will move in love and mercy to free Christians suffering from the violent oppression of Islam.


INDIA (Gospel for Asia)
In another delay, the Indian Supreme Court has withheld its decision on the Dalit civil rights case until November. This delay is a positive development, allowing the Court to take seriously this case of discrimination against Dalit Christians and not rush in judgment. It also allows Christians to have more time to intercede with prayer, asking God to guide the thoughts and decisions of the judges. Under the current law, Dalits lose some of their basic constitutional rights when they become Christians; they are no longer eligible for affirmative action placements in education, employment, government and many other areas-rights granted to Dalits who are Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist. According to a government census, some 20 million Dalits have become Christians. Equally important, there are many Dalits whose only hesitation to becoming Christians is fear of this legalized discrimination.

Pray our merciful Father will lead the Supreme Court of India to correct these injustices. Pray fervently on behalf of these millions of Dalit men, women and children who suffer unjust discrimination. Pray the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of Hindus to see every person is of value and precious in the sight of God.


UZBEKISTAN (Compass Direct)
Christians in a remote village of Uzbekistan are being beaten, publicly humiliated and chased out of their homes and jobs for converting to Christianity. A local strongman is orchestrating harsh opposition to the small congregation in Janbashkala village, near Turtkul in southwestern Uzbekistan. Tokhtabay Sadikov has pressured local police and civic officials, the prosecutor's office, the secret police and Muslim clerics to impose punishing measures against every villager known to have "abandoned the Muslim faith of their parents." The water supply to Christian homes in the village has been cut off, and the church of nearly 100 has dwindled to 20.

Pray God will give Christians in Janbashkala supernatural courage, boldness in their faith and love for their Muslim neighbors. Pray the Lord will honor the commitment of faithful believers with His presence and guidance. Pray this overcoming remnant will lead many to Christ.

[michel]

Prayers for November 15, 2005
From The Voice of the Martyrs

ERITREA (Compass Direct)
The number of Eritrean Christians confirmed to be jailed for their religious beliefs has shot up to a total of 1,778, nearly double the documented count six months ago. At least 26 full-time Protestant pastors and Orthodox clergy are in jail, and their personal bank accounts frozen by government order. "Their family members are suffering (to) a great degree," according to one source. In late September, three Protestant leaders imprisoned months ago by Eritrean authorities were handed jail sentences of two and three years by sham courts. Last month police raids in several locations of Asmara and the town of Kushete landed at least 51 more Protestant Christians in police detention.

Pray Jesus will draw near to the imprisoned Christians, giving them a sense of His loving presence. Pray Christians around the world will respond bountifully to the needs of the prisoners' families. Pray for a miracle of God's grace causing Eritrean authorities to cry out for the living God.

Nearly 10 months after Pastor Oqbamichael Tekle-Haimonot was arrested at a wedding in western Eritrea, authorities at the Sawa military training center have released the ailing evangelical leader on bail. Pastor Haimonot, a minister in the Kale Hiwot (Word of Life) Church, suffered a severe breakdown last May after being subjected to solitary confinement, hard labor and other physical and emotional mistreatment at Sawa. Five weeks ago, security police raided the Kale Hiwot Church at their headquarters in Asmara and arrested members. They released 25 members on November 8th.

Give thanks to God that these believers are no longer suffering in Eritrean prisons. Pray our loving Father will restore Pastor Tekle-Haimonot to complete mental, physical and spiritual health.


INDONESIA (VOM-Canada)
Two high school girls are in critical condition after being shot point blank on November 8th near a Pentecostal church. Ivone (last name unknown) and (Yuli) Siti Nuraini, both 17 years old, were shot by men on a motorcycle in the Gatot Subroto area of Poso. Ivone was shot in the left jaw, while Yuli was wounded in the neck. Both girls are presently in critical condition in the hospital. This incident follows the shocking attack on four Christian girls in the same city on October 29th, when three were beheaded. Hundreds of troops have been dispatched to the area. There are reports that the attackers have been arrested, but no names have yet been released. This recent shooting, however, demonstrates the danger from militant Islamic groups has not abated.

Pray Jesus will comfort the families of the girls who were attacked as they await their healing and return to their homes. Pray Christians in Indonesia will remain faithful, bold and loving as they follow their Shepherd. Pray their witness will draw many into God's kingdom which cannot be shaken.


IRAN (Compass Direct)
Jailed 14 months ago for converting to Christianity, former Iranian army colonel Hamid Pourmand has been allowed to visit his family on a monthly basis since August. Pourmand has reportedly developed good rapport with both guards and prisoners at Evin Prison. Despite earlier reports that Pourmand's case had been appealed before the Iranian Supreme Court, sources now say his lawyer has decided to drop the appeal out of fear it would be perpetually delayed, giving authorities an excuse to keep the Christian in prison. While in prison, Pourmand has been psychologically tortured—more than once told he would be imminently hanged, and at other times forced to listen to the screams of children. (Click here)

Give thanks to God Pourmand's witness of Christian love is being rewarded with home visits. Pray the Lord will strengthen him as he undergoes physical and emotional abuse, as well as giving him an ability to pray for his torturers. Pray God will use Pourmand to help draw many to Him and His everlasting love.


NIGERIA (Compass Direct)
Having planted a church of 300 former Muslims, the Rev. Murtala Marti Dangora knows what it's like to be a high-profile target of religious intolerance. He has been under a death sentence since converting from Islam 25 years ago, and for almost as long, authorities have refused to grant official approval of his Evangelical Church of West Africa congregation. He has been detained, dragged to court, and publicly assaulted for receiving Christ. He said, "Despite my ordeals, I have never regretted becoming a Christian.... I thank God that I got saved.... I now have light in my heart."

Give thanks to God He has protected Rev. Dangora and allowed him to speak to many Muslims of the love of Christ. Pray He will continue to guard this faithful servant. Please join with Rev. Dangora in his prayer "that my other Muslim relatives will come to know Christ as the only true God and Savior of the world."


NORTH KOREA (Religion Today)
A North Korean church leader is facing the death penalty after being arrested on charges of plotting to overthrow the government. According to Jubilee Campaign, a British human rights organization, Seong Jeun Moon, 64, was taken into custody by North Korean State Security Agency officers in Peeyeong Gun, in the Pyongan province of North Korea. Moon, leader of an underground church in North Korea, and a number of his brothers and sisters, have also been arrested and questioned. The charge of treason carries the death penalty. The secret interrogation of Moon was nearly completed as of early September. Past cases of a similar nature have led Jubilee Campaign to believe Moon and many others could possibly be executed.

Pray our powerful and merciful God will move the hearts of the North Korean authorities to allow Moon and other Christians to live. Thank the Lord for every member of an underground church and ask Him to protect these courageous believers. Pray God will gather together many more disillusioned and desperate North Koreans into His Kingdom.

[michel]

Prayers for December 14, 2005
From The Voice of the Martyrs

EGYPT (Compass Direct)
Under threat from Egypt's security police for holding services at his house church, a Protestant pastor has been run down by a taxi in Cairo, and subsequently died of internal bleeding and a broken skull. Pastor Ezzat Habib, his son Ibram Habib and a friend were crossing the street in Cairo's Matereya district on the evening of October 23rd, when a parked taxi pulled into the street and hit them from behind. The 58-year-old pastor was immediately taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery the following morning but died later that day. The incident culminates two years of harassment, during which Pastor Habib was jailed and tortured.

Pray God will comfort the family and friends of Pastor Habib. Pray Christians in Egypt will remain confident in their Savior despite harassment and murder. Pray Muslims will realize they can't kill the soul (Matthew 10:28).


INDIA (Compass Direct)
Christians in the Kakradara area of Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh state are living in fear after extremists barred access to their new church and beat up their pastor and visiting evangelists after a church dedication ceremony on November 5th. The pastor and evangelists were stopped by 12 men carrying long sticks. As Pastor T. Samuel, the district coordinator for Jesus Redeems Ministries, began answering their questions, one of the assailants hit Pastor Ramesh Bhuria from behind. The mob then beat all five Christians. Later, the extremists and other residents visited Bhuria's home and threatened to "cut (him) into pieces" if he continued his Christian activity in the village. The same threats were issued to other church members.

Two militant Hindu groups struck churches in Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh states on Sunday (December 4th). At least 25 members of the Hindu extremist group Dharma Sena attacked a church in Raipur, Chattisgarh state, severely beating five Christians. After beating four Christians in the church, the attackers took them and a pastor from another area church into a Hindu temple, where they tried to force them to bow down to idols. Also on Sunday, a group of 15 extremists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh attacked a pastor in Jhabua district of the north central state of Madhya Pradesh. Police declined to arrest any of the militant Hindus, but instead detained the pastor, Anil Mehra of Indian Evangelical Team, for more than 10 hours for "disrupting public peace."

(Gospel for Asia)
Not long ago 60 new believers in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh were threatened with death if they did not return to Hinduism. We thanked God when He answered our prayers and the Christians were spared. Now, however, the place where that church was meeting has been forcefully taken over by radical Hindus and turned into a temple. It is the first time in the 26-year history of Gospel for Asia that a place of worship has been taken over and defiled as a temple. The Believers Church pastor, Ramesh Masih Bhatti, and his family have been forced to move from the building, which was their home for the past 25 years, and are now living with relatives. Local officials have done nothing about the takeover, having apparently sided with the Hindus. The leader of the Hindus in Himachal Pradesh is now threatening a massive, village-by-village campaign to force Christians to convert back to Hinduism.

Pray Christians in India will stand firm knowing they are children of God, not recognized by the world but beloved of their Father. Pray their witness will lead many to Christ. Pray the Holy Spirit will move powerfully in India, bringing glory to God.


NIGERIA (Compass Direct)
Pastor Zacheous Habu Bu Ngwenche may find himself back in police detention if he does not produce a convert from Islam abducted from his house by Muslim militants in September. The 31-year-old pastor of Foursquare Gospel Church in Akwanga, in central Nigeria's Nasarawa state, was arrested twice in September for harboring a Muslim, Bature Suleimanu Idi, who converted to Christianity. After the second arrest, he spent seven days in a cell in Lafia, the state capital. Muslim militants pressured police into arresting him the second time even after officials had confirmed that Bature Suleimanu Idi had not been coerced into converting to Christianity. "I have now been told to produce the Muslim convert, even when the police know that it is the Muslims that abducted Idi," Ngwenche said. "My fear is that he will be killed." (Click here)

Pray God will protect Idi and give him great courage to remain faithful to Jesus. Pray Pastor Negwenche will know the presence and peace of God as he deals with the Muslims who are harassing him. Pray the publicity surrounding these unjust accusations will cause Muslims worldwide to question their beliefs.

[michel]

Prayers for December 14, 2005
From The Voice of the Martyrs

EGYPT (Compass Direct)
Under threat from Egypt's security police for holding services at his house church, a Protestant pastor has been run down by a taxi in Cairo, and subsequently died of internal bleeding and a broken skull. Pastor Ezzat Habib, his son Ibram Habib and a friend were crossing the street in Cairo's Matereya district on the evening of October 23rd, when a parked taxi pulled into the street and hit them from behind. The 58-year-old pastor was immediately taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery the following morning but died later that day. The incident culminates two years of harassment, during which Pastor Habib was jailed and tortured.

Pray God will comfort the family and friends of Pastor Habib. Pray Christians in Egypt will remain confident in their Savior despite harassment and murder. Pray Muslims will realize they can't kill the soul (Matthew 10:28).


INDIA (Compass Direct)
Christians in the Kakradara area of Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh state are living in fear after extremists barred access to their new church and beat up their pastor and visiting evangelists after a church dedication ceremony on November 5th. The pastor and evangelists were stopped by 12 men carrying long sticks. As Pastor T. Samuel, the district coordinator for Jesus Redeems Ministries, began answering their questions, one of the assailants hit Pastor Ramesh Bhuria from behind. The mob then beat all five Christians. Later, the extremists and other residents visited Bhuria's home and threatened to "cut (him) into pieces" if he continued his Christian activity in the village. The same threats were issued to other church members.

Two militant Hindu groups struck churches in Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh states on Sunday (December 4th). At least 25 members of the Hindu extremist group Dharma Sena attacked a church in Raipur, Chattisgarh state, severely beating five Christians. After beating four Christians in the church, the attackers took them and a pastor from another area church into a Hindu temple, where they tried to force them to bow down to idols. Also on Sunday, a group of 15 extremists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh attacked a pastor in Jhabua district of the north central state of Madhya Pradesh. Police declined to arrest any of the militant Hindus, but instead detained the pastor, Anil Mehra of Indian Evangelical Team, for more than 10 hours for "disrupting public peace."

(Gospel for Asia)
Not long ago 60 new believers in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh were threatened with death if they did not return to Hinduism. We thanked God when He answered our prayers and the Christians were spared. Now, however, the place where that church was meeting has been forcefully taken over by radical Hindus and turned into a temple. It is the first time in the 26-year history of Gospel for Asia that a place of worship has been taken over and defiled as a temple. The Believers Church pastor, Ramesh Masih Bhatti, and his family have been forced to move from the building, which was their home for the past 25 years, and are now living with relatives. Local officials have done nothing about the takeover, having apparently sided with the Hindus. The leader of the Hindus in Himachal Pradesh is now threatening a massive, village-by-village campaign to force Christians to convert back to Hinduism.

Pray Christians in India will stand firm knowing they are children of God, not recognized by the world but beloved of their Father. Pray their witness will lead many to Christ. Pray the Holy Spirit will move powerfully in India, bringing glory to God.


NIGERIA (Compass Direct)
Pastor Zacheous Habu Bu Ngwenche may find himself back in police detention if he does not produce a convert from Islam abducted from his house by Muslim militants in September. The 31-year-old pastor of Foursquare Gospel Church in Akwanga, in central Nigeria's Nasarawa state, was arrested twice in September for harboring a Muslim, Bature Suleimanu Idi, who converted to Christianity. After the second arrest, he spent seven days in a cell in Lafia, the state capital. Muslim militants pressured police into arresting him the second time even after officials had confirmed that Bature Suleimanu Idi had not been coerced into converting to Christianity. "I have now been told to produce the Muslim convert, even when the police know that it is the Muslims that abducted Idi," Ngwenche said. "My fear is that he will be killed." (Click here)

Pray God will protect Idi and give him great courage to remain faithful to Jesus. Pray Pastor Negwenche will know the presence and peace of God as he deals with the Muslims who are harassing him. Pray the publicity surrounding these unjust accusations will cause Muslims worldwide to question their beliefs.

[jeffrey]

WOW. And we wonder why the world hates us...........