Voice of the Oppressed

[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. :162:

 

[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. :162:

 

[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 and their witness of Jesus' love for His enemies. Pray the calm responses to the demands for closing this institution will convince Muslims that Christians are not harming anyone. Give thanks to God there has been no violence in these confrontations.


NEPAL (Gospel For Asia)
The seven opposition parties that have been demonstrating against the King of Nepal have called off their nationwide strike after the king promised to re-open parliament and form a democratic government. All eyes are now on the Maoist rebels who have rejected the agreement. The Himalayan kingdom had descended into widespread violence as the king tried to keep control after the nation turned against him for taking direct control of the government and dissolving parliament. The Gospel for Asia (GFA) office in Kathmandu has been temporarily closed because of the situation, and native missionary outreach work has been seriously affected. Narayan Sharma, GFA's leader in Nepal, reported hundreds of people have been injured and a few have already died of bullet wounds. Some are still in critical condition in hospitals.

Pray that in this time of unrest, the Holy Spirit will move in miraculous power to bring political stability to Nepal as well as opportunities for the Good News to be shared with many. Pray God will protect and strengthen Brother Narayan for whatever the future holds. Pray Christians will be true peacemakers and show themselves as sons of God.


NIGERIA (Compass Direct)
The latest attack on the Rt. Rev. Ali Buba Lamido, 47-year-old Anglican Bishop of Wusasa diocese in Kaduna state, began as the past year's previous three did: armed men, whom he believes were Muslim militants, asked the guards at his home where he was, announcing they were going to kill him. This time, on March 10th, a guest of one of his guards was shot dead. The guard and another worker were seriously injured. The four attacks on his house since April 2005, have involved no attempted robbery. "It is difficult to believe it was not religiously motivated, because some bishops have been attacked and one priest was murdered in a similar way," he said. "And the killers never stole anything from their houses."

Pray God will continue to protect Bishop Lamido. Pray he will have the forgiving spirit of Christ toward the attackers and will encourage the Christian community to pray for their enemies. Pray the Holy Spirit will overcome the spirit of violence controlling the Muslims in Nigeria.


NORTH KOREA (ASSIST News Service)
In an unprecedented move, family and activists have called upon the international community to intervene to abort the execution of North Korean Mr. Son Jong Nam. According to a media release, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has joined with multiple agencies that protested recently outside the government complex in South Korea calling for "efforts to rescue Son Jong Nam, who has been sentenced to public execution." The appeal comes after Mr. Son's brother, Son Jong Hoon, received information via a relative. He reported: "My brother is sentenced to public execution, and even family members cannot visit him." Five North Korean defector organizations working for human rights in North Korea issued a joint statement on April 4th, urging for intervention to stop the planned execution. The joint agency statement reports Mr. Son (48) is imprisoned in the basement of the National Security Agency in Pyongyang and is "practically dead from horrible torture." CSW reports Mr. Son is accused of betraying his country and sharing information with South Koreans. "It is believed the charges are grounded in his visit to China where he met with his brother and spoke about life in North Korea and, possibly, in his connection to Christianity." The CSW report continues: "In May 2004, Mr. Son was able to meet his brother in China and return to North Korea. However, the individual in Musan who helped him travel to China informed on him to the Musan National Security Agency." North Korea's human rights record is ranked amongst the very worst in the world, CSW says.

Pray God will protect Son Jong Nam and his life will be spared. Pray Christians in North Korea will find comfort and strength as they keep their eyes on Jesus. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in the hearts of the authorities to bring them to repentance and a need for forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.


MALAYSIA (Compass Direct)
The Federal Court granted permission April 13th, to Lina Joy, a Malaysian Muslim convert to Christianity, to appeal the government's refusal to remove her Muslim status from her identity card. The ground-breaking decision came after lower courts--the High Court and the Court of Appeal--repeatedly dismissed her application. Besides religious rights for Joy, at issue is whether Islamic courts have the sole right to handle cases of Muslims who leave their religion. According to Malaysian lawyers, the sharia court has never granted permission for a Malaysian Muslim to convert from Islam. Conversion out of Islam ("apostasy") can be punishable by fine or imprisonment.

Give thanks to God that Lina Joy may now appeal the decision. Pray she will finally be allowed to remove the Muslim status from her identity card. Pray God will use this case to break the power of Islamic courts in Malaysia.

www.persecution.com

 

[michel]

Prayers for May 9, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs
CHINA, EGYPT, COLOMBIA Next week the Bibles Unbound program will be 3 months old, and already VOM supporters have registered to send more than 8,000 New Testaments each month into restricted nations! Praise the Lord for the great response to this incredible program that gives Christians in the U.S. a chance to mail New Testaments from their homes to individuals living in restricted nations. Courageous Christians inside each nation are collecting names and addresses and will follow up on the mailings to help reach their communities for Christ. This week, PRAY for those who will be receiving the Word of God through the Bibles Unbound program. PRAY the Holy Spirit would prepare each heart so that the seed of the Word falls on fertile ground. PRAY for God's protection over each package mailed and over the brave Christians who are furthering this ministry inside nations hostile to Christ. (For more information on the Bibles Unbound program or to sign up to mail New Testaments from your home, visit www.biblesunbound.com.


INDIA (Compass Direct)
On May 2nd, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Thomas, president of the Emmanuel Mission International (EMI), was released from Kota Central Jail after the Rajasthan High Court granted him interim bail for three months. In custody for 48 days, Thomas had been held on charges of creating "communal disharmony." The Supreme Court had previously granted anticipatory bail to his father, EMI founder Archbishop M.A. Thomas. The elder Thomas has been in hiding since authorities issued an arrest warrant for him in a Hindu extremist-backed attack on his ministry.

Hearings on charges against Samuel Thomas will be held on May 12th, in two courts, the court of Additional Judicial Magistrate and the court of Additional Civil Judge.

Pray when Dr. Thomas goes to trial, all charges will be dropped. Pray our omnipotent Father will protect the orphans in Kota who are so dear to Dr. Thomas. Pray God will overcome the spirit of violence among the Hindus in India and He will be glorified. (VOM sources)
VOM received news from Orissa state on May 4th, that a group of 150 to 200 Hindu fanatics surrounded the houses of a few Christian villagers and threatened to kill them. One Hindu had come and scolded these Christians with obscene and vulgar language. These believers were quite concerned and went to another village to phone for help. A police guard was arranged, but at present we don't know the outcome of this situation.

Pray God will preserve the lives and property of those who are faithful to Him. Pray the believers will forgive those who are harassing and frightening them. Pray the willingness of these Christians, as they suffer humiliation and threats, will draw many to seek to know the Christ they serve.


PAKISTAN (ASSIST News Service)
Nasser Bib, a Christian woman charged with desecrating a poster of Khana Kaba, the Muslim holy place in Saudi Arabia, was released from jail on bail on April 22nd, after posting surety bonds of 50,000 rupees ($832,628 U.S.). According to the Pakistan Christian Post (PCP), she was arrested March 3, 2006, under Section 295b & c of Pakistan Penal Code on Muslims' accusations that she had desecrated a flyer of Khana Kaba. PCP quoted Naseem Bibi as telling Sohail Johnson, the coordinator of Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan: "I love Jesus Christ…. I often saw Him in my dreams. Jesus met me many times in my dreams and showed His love to me." Naseem Bibi is the mother of four children. Her youngest child is only 7 months old. She has taken refuge in Lahore with her husband and children for their physical safety, as attacks by Muslim extremists are feared if she moves to her home in Kasur district, the PCP reports.

Give thanks and praise to God for Naseem Bibi's release. Pray our heavenly Father will protect her and her family and Jesus will continue to comfort her in dreams. Pray that whoever desecrated the poster and accused her will repent and come to know the forgiveness of Jesus.


SUDAN (Compass Direct)
Facing threats from a local Muslim militia leader, Christians in central Sudan have decided to leave their church half-built after it went up in flames the day after Christmas last year. The congregation of the Episcopal Church of Sudan in the Nuba Mountains town of Shatt Damam, hopes partial reconstruction will help prevent the church building from being burned for the fourth time. Kafitiyar Al Yideen, a Muslim militia leader of several hundred soldiers, has often threatened church members. A local Muslim chief said Al Yideen had hired area criminals to burn down the church each time it was rebuilt. The Muslim militia leader was said to have asked, "Why is it still standing?"

Pray God will protect these persevering Christians and keep them strong in their faith. Pray each one will worship God in spirit and in truth, knowing they have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Pray their witness of faith and love will lead many Muslims to Christ.


UZBEKISTAN (Compass Direct)
In late April, police officers from Uzbekistan's criminal investigation department burst into the home of a Protestant pastor in northwest Uzbekistan, disrupting 12 people as they were having lunch together. The pastor and another believer were charged with "breaking the laws on teaching religion." The April 24th raid in Urgench, a city in the Khorezm region near the Turkmen border, targeted the house of Pastor Lunkin Sergey of the Union of Independent Churches. In a separate incident, three Christians in Tashkent were arrested on April 21st, while visiting and helping feed patients at a tuberculosis hospital for children. One of them was charged with violating administrative laws against teaching religion. During the past 12 months, Uzbekistan police and judicial authorities have stepped up pressures against Protestant Christians, and even government-registered churches are under heightened scrutiny.

Pray God will give Uzbek Christians a fearless confidence in their Savior. Pray for a miracle from our omnipotent Creator to bring peace and justice to Uzbekistan. Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit among those in positions of authority to turn them to the One who loves them and wants them to know eternal peace.








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[michel]

Prayers for May 16, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

CAMBODIA (VOM-Canada)
On Friday, April 28th, a partially built church building in Boeng Krum Leu, 30 km east of Phnom Penh, was destroyed by approximately 300 local Buddhists. Che Saren, chief of the district, told the Associated Press the Buddhists felt threatened by the visible presence of another religion. Chanting "Destroy the church," and "Long live Buddhism," the villagers tore down the building and burned the rubble. According to Ros Sithoeun, a local Christian, the police gave the villagers a lecture on the laws governing religious freedom, and the two sides have come to a peaceful agreement. The Christians did not file complaints with the authorities nor demand restitution. There are currently 20 to 30 Christians in the village.

Pray the Christians in Boeng Krum Leu will be able to continue worshipping the Lord without further opposition. Give thanks to God that the Buddhists are not continuing to harass Christians. Pray the sacrificial attitude of these believers will draw others to Christ.


TURKMENISTAN (Compass Direct)
Police in Turkmenistan's capital city broke up a Christian house group meeting on May 3rd, confiscating personal belongings and subjecting the group to extensive interrogation. More than 15 officials stormed the unregistered gathering of 13 members of the Soygi (Love) Church in Ashgabat just hours after U.S. officials recommended Turkmenistan be labeled one of the world's worst violators of religious freedom. Members of the secret police, Hyakimlik (local administration), foreigner registration office, Committee for Religious Affairs, and the regular police force entered the house without a warrant and searched the premises. The officers seized Bibles, discipleship texts and videos, as well as personal pictures and a notebook computer. Church members were then forced to re-enact their meeting activities while police videotaped them. By holding unregistered meetings, the 35 Christians who attend Soygi Church's Sunday services are technically breaking the law. But, registration in Turkmenistan can be extremely difficult, and repressive government interference often cripples the activities of registered religious communities. Expecting continued police harassment, the Turkmen congregation appealed to fellow Christians around the world to pray for them. "We are now being investigated. We want prayer desperately."

Pray the Lord will use the video to lead the authorities to Christ, working His purposes in this raid to His glory. Pray the Holy Spirit will overpower the spirit of false religion that wars against Christ in Turkmenistan.


VIETNAM (ASSIST News Service)
The Montagnard Foundation, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the rights of the indigenous people of Vietnam's Central Highlands, reports the torture and death of Siu Lul, a Degar Christian. On April 20th, Siu Lul was denied food and water by Vietnamese authorities in Ha Nam prison where he was beaten and tortured. Lul was 62 years old and from the village of Ploi Kueng, Habong commune, Cu Se District, Gia Lai province. He had been arrested, tortured and imprisoned at the prison facility in Ha Nam since 2004. A media advisory obtained by ANS says: "On April 24, 2006, he succumbed from the effects of torture and lack of water and food. The authorities wanted the family to take his body back to his village, but his family did not have money to pay for the transportation and he was buried in Ha Nam." The Montagnard Foundation notes there are still over 350 Degar prisoners of conscience who remain imprisoned in Vietnam's brutal prison system. The indigenous Montagnard Degar peoples have suffered decades of persecution by the government of Vietnam, namely confiscation of their ancestral lands, Christian religious repression, torture, killings and imprisonment.

Pray the Lord will shine the light of His love and comfort on Siu Lul's family and friends. Pray God will empower Degar Christians to be strong witnesses of His love as they forgive those who treated their brother so cruelly. Pray the Lord will work a miracle of His power as He leads many communists to faith in His Son.


CUBA (VOM sources)
Pastor Carlos Lamelas remains in La Villa Marista Detention Center, where his weight and blood pressure continue to drop to unhealthy levels. He was arrested in his La Lisa neighborhood home in Havana, Cuba, by five security policemen on February 20th, for allegedly aiding refugees to emigrate illegally. Officers searched his entire home, confiscated his computer, printer, personal files and other office items. No formal charges have been brought against Cuba's former President of the Church of God, as the police-appointed "instructor" has still not briefed Carlos on the reason for his detainment. It is widely accepted Pastor Lamelas was targeted by the Castro regime ever since he refused to sign (and sing) government rhetoric sent to him in a document more then three years ago. Christians were urged to follow suit "if they wanted to be on the safe side of the government." He didn't, and was thrown in prison twice before his latest arrest when he was falsely accused of working for the CIA and of being a counterrevolutionary. Carlos' wife, Uramis Lamelas, is only allowed to visit him for 15 minutes every Monday morning while three policemen sit around them to limit their conversations. The meetings take place at La Villa Marista Detention Center in the La Vibora area of Havana's Arroyo Naranjo borough. The pastor's 12-year-old daughter, Estefania, has only been allowed to visit him once, and his 6-year-old daughter, Daniela, is continuing to pray for his release.

Pray Pastor Lamelas' physical condition will move the prison authorities to allow his release. Pray Christians worldwide will pray and write letters to encourage Pastor Lamelas with the knowledge that many are praying for him. Pray God will move in love and power with an outpouring of His Holy Spirit on the whole country of Cuba. :162:

To encourage Pastor Lamelas and his family, his wife may receive letters addressed to: Uramis Frometa Salvat de Lamelas 220 No. 6910 Entre 69 t 71 La Lisa, Habana, Cuba Tel: 011-53-7-260-0200

To write a letter of advocacy, call or e-mail on Pastor Lamelas' behalf, contact:
Cuban Interest Section
Swiss Embassy
2630 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: (202) 797 8518
Fax: (202) 797-8521
E-mail: [email protected]

Or directly send a letter of encouragement to:
Carlos Lamelas
La Villa Marista Detention Center
La Vibora, Habana, Cuba

 

[michel]

From The Voice of the Martyrs Prayers for 23 May 2006

CHINA (China Aid Association)
CAA learned that in the past two weeks, multiple arrests of house-church pastors occurred at Shandong and Jiangsu provinces. One pastor from South Korea was expelled by the Chinese security agency. CAA has learned from an eyewitness report that house-church pastor Liu Yuhua was arrested at 11:00 pm on April 26, 2006, at Shandong province, accused of "being involved in illegal business practices." He has been printing and distributing Bibles and other Christian literature to fellow believers free of charge to meet the rapid growth of believers. According to a reliable source, Pastor Liu's office was searched without warrant, his bank account seized, and cash in the amount of 8600 Yuan ($1,100) was confiscated. CAA also learned that on May 10th, 11 pastors and house-church leaders were arrested in Jiangsu province. Approximately 60 house-church believers were engaged in a Bible study at Pastor Cai Zhirong's house when the raid occurred. According to an eyewitness report, the PSB officers used electric shock batons to beat believers who refused to be taken away because the police didn't have an arrest warrant. After 10 hours of intensive interrogation, all 11 pastors, including South Korean pastor Cui Rongbo (Korean name unavailable) along with his two translators Pastor Cai Zhirong and Pastor Wu Changle, were released. However, on May 11th, South Korean Pastor Cui was taken away again by the Chinese authorities and ordered to leave China within 48 hours. Pastor Cui left China on May 13th. "This new wave of arrests is certainly a contradiction to the Chinese government's commitment to religious freedom," said Rev. Bob Fu of CAA.

Pray the Lord will comfort and strengthen the Chinese Christians to remain faithful to their Savior under all circumstances. Thank God for Rev. Bob Fu, and pray He will continue to use him in a powerful way, alerting Christians worldwide to the suffering of their brothers and sisters in China and motivating them to act. Pray for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the authorities and bring religious freedom to China.

ERITREA (Compass Direct)
Two days after an evangelical Christian mother was arrested at her home and jailed by Eritrean police, her 6-month-old son died on his sickbed in Nefasit, 10 miles East of Asmara. Ghenet Gebremariam was arrested on May 8th, with two other Protestant women, also mothers with children and members of Nefasit's banned Full Gospel Church. They were detained on accusations of "actively witnessing about Christ." Two days later, Gebremariam's baby, Hazaiel Daniel, died of unknown causes. Subsequently Gebremariam was released on bail. The other two mothers, Meslale Abraham and Alganshe Tsagay, remain in police custody. In a separate crackdown two weeks ago, 50 evangelical Christian students were put under harsh military punishment at Mai Nefhee Educational Institution, a military service center in Asmara. The discovery of the 33 young women and 17 men was attributed to a Defense Ministry campaign to identify all students at the institution involved in "illegal" Protestant activities.

Pray Jesus will comfort Ghent Gebremariam with His presence and peace, assuring her that her baby is safely at Home with Him. Pray the other two mothers will soon be released and returned to their families. Pray the Holy Spirit will rise in power to win the spiritual battle for Eritrea.

INDIA (Compass Direct)

A woman in the city of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh state, has accused six of her uncles and their pastor of trying to forcefully convert her to Christianity. The men involved said the accusations are an attempt to get revenge after a dispute erupted over a drainage channel. Saroj Maurya, 35, approached local newspapers with a statement accusing her uncles and Assemblies of God pastor Mehboob Masih of attempted forced conversion. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh told Masih he would meet the same fate as Australian missionary Graham Staines and two of his children, who were burned alive in Orissa state in January 1999, if he continued to hold prayer meetings. "They also said if I gathered people for prayer, they would instead hold a Hindu worship ceremony in my house," said Masih.

Pray the truth of the "forced" conversion and revenge will be revealed. Pray the Lord will also reveal Himself and His love to those who oppose Him. Pray God will protect Pastor Masih and deliver him from the Hindus who seek to harm him.

INDONESIA (Compass Direct)
On May 10th, police in Indonesia announced seven suspected Islamic terrorists have confessed to beheading three Indonesian schoolgirls in Poso, on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, in October 2005. Five men were arrested on May 5th, in Tolitoli regency, Central Sulawesi. Jakarta Post identified them as Apriyantono, alias Irwan; Arman, alias Haris; Asrudin, Nano and Abdul Muis. "Two of the arrested men were involved in the murders," national police spokesman Brig. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam told reporters. "Another was detained for carrying ammunition, while the other two were arrested as accessories to the crimes." Two additional suspects have not yet been publicly identified. Theresia Morangke, 15, Alfita Poliwo, 17, and Yarni Sambue, 15, were beheaded early in the morning of October 29, 2005, as they walked to a Christian school in Poso district. A fourth girl, Noviana Malewa, 15, received serious injuries to her face and neck but survived the attack. "Two of the arrested men were involved in the murders," national police spokesman Brig. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam told reporters. "Another was detained for carrying ammunition, while the other two were arrested as accessories to the crimes." Alam said the suspects would be taken to national police headquarters in Jakarta for further interrogation.

Praise God these men have finally been arrested. Pray they will be brought to trial and God's justice will prevail. Pray the Lord will comfort the families and friends of the girls as they are reminded of the murders and their loss.

KENYA (ASSIST News Service)
Gunmen attacked a Pentecostal church radio station, killing one person and setting the building on fire. The AP report, reprinted in The Washington Post, says church workers, worshippers and curious onlookers gathered outside offices of a Pentecostal radio station in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, May 13, 2006, hours after unidentified gunmen shot and killed one person, wounded two others and torched part of Hope FM during the broadcasting of a program that compared teachings of the Bible and the Quran. The AP says a security guard was stabbed and later shot dead during the attack, and another was wounded, according to a passer-by who was shot when he went to look into why the emergency alarm had gone off. The independent Kenya Television Network reported that some of the assailants poured a flammable liquid in some of the offices at the radio station and then set it alight. The eight masked assailants shouted angrily that producers had failed to take their telephone calls. They ordered a technician to take the station off the air, according to church workers. Gideon Kibunjah, a police spokesman, said there had been no arrests, and the identities of the gunmen were unclear. The AP said church leaders pressed the government to quickly investigate the attack and ensure the culprits are prosecuted.

Pray our loving Father will comfort the family and friends of the guard who was killed. Pray the government will thoroughly investigate the attack and prosecute the culprits. Pray this violence will cause more people to listen to the radio station and come to Christ.

www.persecution.com

 

[michel]

Prayers for May 30, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

BELARUS Forum 18 News Service
In what appears to be an increasing trend, a Pentecostal pastor has been fined for leading worship without state sanction. "Divine freedom is given to us by God," Ilya Radkevich remarked to Forum 18 News Service, "but state freedom you have to pay for." He was fined 150,000 Belarusian roubles ($72 U.S.). Natalya Lutsenko, the head of the administrative commission which fined Pastor Radkevich, declined to explain why an individual had been punished for holding a peaceful religious service. "It is impossible to talk about this case," she told Forum 18. "We don't discuss administrative cases over the phone." Insisting that all religious communities have to register with the authorities before they can function, she hung up. Pastor Radkevich told Forum 18 that the local authorities know that his 50-strong congregation gathers for Sunday worship at a prayer house in Povitye and have previously fined the congregation sums equivalent to about $50 U.S.

Pray the Christians in Belarus will not be intimidated.


INDIA Compass Direct
A woman in the city of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh state, has accused six of her uncles and their pastor of trying to forcefully convert her to Christianity. The men involved said the accusations are an attempt to get revenge after a dispute erupted over a drainage channel. Saroj Maurya, 35, approached local newspapers with a statement accusing her uncles and Assemblies of God pastor Mehboob Masih of attempted forced conversion. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh told Masih he would meet the same fate as Australian missionary Graham Staines and two of his children, who were burned alive in Orissa state in January 1999, if he continued to hold prayer meetings. "They also said if I gathered people for prayer, they would instead hold a Hindu worship ceremony in my house," said Masih. Pray the truth of the "forced conversion” will be revealed.

Pray the Lord will reveal Himself and His love to those who oppose Him. Pray God will protect Pastor Masih and deliver him from the Hindus who seek to harm him.


KENYA The Boston Globe
Gunmen attacked a Pentecostal church radio station, killing one person and setting the building on fire. The Associated Press report, reprinted in The Boston Globe, says church workers, worshippers and curious onlookers gathered outside offices of a Pentecostal radio station in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, May 13, 2006, hours after unidentified gunmen shot and killed one person, wounded two others and torched part of Hope FM during the broadcasting of a program that compared teachings of the Bible and the Koran. One security guard was stabbed and later shot dead during the attack, and another was wounded, according to a passer-by who was shot when he went to look into why the emergency alarm had gone off. The independent Kenya Television Network reported that some of the assailants poured a flammable liquid in some of the offices at the radio station and then set it alight. The eight masked assailants shouted angrily that producers had failed to take their telephone calls. They ordered a technician to take the station off the air, according to church workers. Gideon Kibunjah, a police spokesman, said there had been no arrests, and the identities of the gunmen were unclear. Church leaders pressed the government to quickly investigate the attack and ensure the culprits are prosecuted. "The station is for spreading the good news, and faith comes by hearing the word of God," Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi said after visiting the station in a show of solidarity with the Pentecostal church. "It is not right to go at the source of the news and commit violent acts."

Pray our loving Father will comfort the family and friends of the guard who was killed. Pray the government will thoroughly investigate the attack and prosecute the culprits. Pray this violence will cause more people to listen to the radio station and come to Christ.

 

[Mister Emu]

Dear {reader},

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
(Joshua 1:9)

Prayers for June 6, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

CHINA China Aid Association
Imprisoned religious leader of South China Church, Gong Shengliang, was beaten again in Hong Shan prison, Wuhan, Hubei Province. On April 18, 2006, Pastor Gong's two sisters came to visit him and saw that the right side of Gong's face was swollen. Gong told them that March 21, 2006, another prisoner named Lei, who was assigned by prison officials to watch Gong day and night, beat him without cause. After the beating, Gong could not move his mouth for three days and suffered some hearing loss in his right ear. When Gong reported the beating to prison officials, they punished Pastor Gong by taking away two merit points he had earned during the last year. By contrast, the prison officers praised Lei. When Gong appealed to the leader of the prison to transfer Lei to another group, the prison leader refused and told Lei to apologize to "settle" the matter.

Pray God will protect Pastor Gong from more beatings. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in the hearts of the prison officials and other prisoners and they will come to know God as their loving Savior.


INDIA Assist News
The administration of Rajasthan state's Kota district has leveled fresh charges of "exciting... disaffection towards the government of India" against Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) founder M.A. Thomas and his son, Dr. Samuel Thomas, the EMI president. Their attorney Mohammad Akram said he feared the additional charges could lead to the re-arrest of Samuel Thomas (released on bail under previous charges) and the re-issue of an arrest warrant against M.A. Thomas (granted anticipatory bail on previous charges). The new charge is based on the exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir states on a map of India shown on the website of Georgia-based Hopegivers International (which funds EMI). An offense under this law can lead to imprisonment for life.

Pray God will continue to bring strength, comfort and encouragement to the Thomas family.


INDIA Compass Direct
With the encouragement of a local chief and the apparent backing of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, villagers in the north-central state of Madhya Pradesh gang-raped two Christian women Sunday (May 28) after the husband of one refused to deny Christ. The attack took place at 10 p.m. in Nadia village in Khargone district's Bhagwanpura block. A Christian source requesting anonymity said that villagers beat up Gokharya Barela, the husband of one of the victims, at 3 p.m. on Sunday. He took him forcibly to Sirvil village before the Panchayat (village court) and ordered him to reject Christianity. When he refused, the village leader, Pandya Patel, ordered Barela to drink wine. Villagers forced him to drink about half a bottle and warned him to move out of the village. The village leader Patel told the villagers they could rape Christian women because no one would save them. That night three men went to the house of Gokharya Barela, dragged his wife to nearby bushes and raped her. When Gokharya Barela and his Christian friend Gudia Gyansingh tried to save her, villagers beat them. Two other Hindu villagers went to the house of Christian Garsia Barela and dragged his wife onto the verandah and raped her. Superintendent of Police of Khargone district I.R.S. Borna confirmed that two women were raped by five men. "Our team is investigating," he said, "but no one has been arrested yet." The women were able to name the alleged rapists.

Pray these Christian women and their families will find comfort and strength as they keep their eyes on their Lord and Savior. Pray the other Christian villagers will remain strong in their faith in the face of threats and intimidation. Pray the attackers will be brought to justice.

www.persecution.com

 

[Mister Emu]

Dear {reader},

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
(Joshua 1:9)

Prayers for June 6, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

CHINA China Aid Association
Imprisoned religious leader of South China Church, Gong Shengliang, was beaten again in Hong Shan prison, Wuhan, Hubei Province. On April 18, 2006, Pastor Gong's two sisters came to visit him and saw that the right side of Gong's face was swollen. Gong told them that March 21, 2006, another prisoner named Lei, who was assigned by prison officials to watch Gong day and night, beat him without cause. After the beating, Gong could not move his mouth for three days and suffered some hearing loss in his right ear. When Gong reported the beating to prison officials, they punished Pastor Gong by taking away two merit points he had earned during the last year. By contrast, the prison officers praised Lei. When Gong appealed to the leader of the prison to transfer Lei to another group, the prison leader refused and told Lei to apologize to "settle" the matter.

Pray God will protect Pastor Gong from more beatings. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in the hearts of the prison officials and other prisoners and they will come to know God as their loving Savior.


INDIA Assist News
The administration of Rajasthan state's Kota district has leveled fresh charges of "exciting... disaffection towards the government of India" against Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) founder M.A. Thomas and his son, Dr. Samuel Thomas, the EMI president. Their attorney Mohammad Akram said he feared the additional charges could lead to the re-arrest of Samuel Thomas (released on bail under previous charges) and the re-issue of an arrest warrant against M.A. Thomas (granted anticipatory bail on previous charges). The new charge is based on the exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir states on a map of India shown on the website of Georgia-based Hopegivers International (which funds EMI). An offense under this law can lead to imprisonment for life.

Pray God will continue to bring strength, comfort and encouragement to the Thomas family.


INDIA Compass Direct
With the encouragement of a local chief and the apparent backing of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, villagers in the north-central state of Madhya Pradesh gang-raped two Christian women Sunday (May 28) after the husband of one refused to deny Christ. The attack took place at 10 p.m. in Nadia village in Khargone district's Bhagwanpura block. A Christian source requesting anonymity said that villagers beat up Gokharya Barela, the husband of one of the victims, at 3 p.m. on Sunday. He took him forcibly to Sirvil village before the Panchayat (village court) and ordered him to reject Christianity. When he refused, the village leader, Pandya Patel, ordered Barela to drink wine. Villagers forced him to drink about half a bottle and warned him to move out of the village. The village leader Patel told the villagers they could rape Christian women because no one would save them. That night three men went to the house of Gokharya Barela, dragged his wife to nearby bushes and raped her. When Gokharya Barela and his Christian friend Gudia Gyansingh tried to save her, villagers beat them. Two other Hindu villagers went to the house of Christian Garsia Barela and dragged his wife onto the verandah and raped her. Superintendent of Police of Khargone district I.R.S. Borna confirmed that two women were raped by five men. "Our team is investigating," he said, "but no one has been arrested yet." The women were able to name the alleged rapists.

Pray these Christian women and their families will find comfort and strength as they keep their eyes on their Lord and Savior. Pray the other Christian villagers will remain strong in their faith in the face of threats and intimidation. Pray the attackers will be brought to justice.

www.persecution.com

 

[Mister Emu]

Dear {reader},

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
(Joshua 1:9)

Prayers for June 6, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

CHINA China Aid Association
Imprisoned religious leader of South China Church, Gong Shengliang, was beaten again in Hong Shan prison, Wuhan, Hubei Province. On April 18, 2006, Pastor Gong's two sisters came to visit him and saw that the right side of Gong's face was swollen. Gong told them that March 21, 2006, another prisoner named Lei, who was assigned by prison officials to watch Gong day and night, beat him without cause. After the beating, Gong could not move his mouth for three days and suffered some hearing loss in his right ear. When Gong reported the beating to prison officials, they punished Pastor Gong by taking away two merit points he had earned during the last year. By contrast, the prison officers praised Lei. When Gong appealed to the leader of the prison to transfer Lei to another group, the prison leader refused and told Lei to apologize to "settle" the matter.

Pray God will protect Pastor Gong from more beatings. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in the hearts of the prison officials and other prisoners and they will come to know God as their loving Savior.


INDIA Assist News
The administration of Rajasthan state's Kota district has leveled fresh charges of "exciting... disaffection towards the government of India" against Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) founder M.A. Thomas and his son, Dr. Samuel Thomas, the EMI president. Their attorney Mohammad Akram said he feared the additional charges could lead to the re-arrest of Samuel Thomas (released on bail under previous charges) and the re-issue of an arrest warrant against M.A. Thomas (granted anticipatory bail on previous charges). The new charge is based on the exclusion of Jammu and Kashmir states on a map of India shown on the website of Georgia-based Hopegivers International (which funds EMI). An offense under this law can lead to imprisonment for life.

Pray God will continue to bring strength, comfort and encouragement to the Thomas family.


INDIA Compass Direct
With the encouragement of a local chief and the apparent backing of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, villagers in the north-central state of Madhya Pradesh gang-raped two Christian women Sunday (May 28) after the husband of one refused to deny Christ. The attack took place at 10 p.m. in Nadia village in Khargone district's Bhagwanpura block. A Christian source requesting anonymity said that villagers beat up Gokharya Barela, the husband of one of the victims, at 3 p.m. on Sunday. He took him forcibly to Sirvil village before the Panchayat (village court) and ordered him to reject Christianity. When he refused, the village leader, Pandya Patel, ordered Barela to drink wine. Villagers forced him to drink about half a bottle and warned him to move out of the village. The village leader Patel told the villagers they could rape Christian women because no one would save them. That night three men went to the house of Gokharya Barela, dragged his wife to nearby bushes and raped her. When Gokharya Barela and his Christian friend Gudia Gyansingh tried to save her, villagers beat them. Two other Hindu villagers went to the house of Christian Garsia Barela and dragged his wife onto the verandah and raped her. Superintendent of Police of Khargone district I.R.S. Borna confirmed that two women were raped by five men. "Our team is investigating," he said, "but no one has been arrested yet." The women were able to name the alleged rapists.

Pray these Christian women and their families will find comfort and strength as they keep their eyes on their Lord and Savior. Pray the other Christian villagers will remain strong in their faith in the face of threats and intimidation. Pray the attackers will be brought to justice.

www.persecution.com

 

[michel]

Prayers for June 13, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

BHUTAN Two Christians, Benjamin Dhunigana and John Dai, were arrested on January 8, 2006, in the western part of Bhutan. They have been imprisoned without trial for six months and now a sentence has been announced, though apparently without a trial. Dhunigana was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison and Dai was sentenced to three years. They were given 10 days to appeal to the court for bail and then to fight the case with the help of prominent lawyer. A VOM contact says that Dhunigana has been active in sharing the gospel all across Bhutan, and in particular in reaching Buddhist monks for Christ. On January 7th, he and Dai were traveling together in a van when they stopped and offered a ride to woman walking along the road. Dhunigana and Dai drove the woman to her home, and she insisted that they eat dinner with her family. They stayed to eat, and then told the woman they'd like to show her a movie, the JESUS film. She asked if she could invite her neighbors also, and the house was soon full of people watching the film about the life of Christ. VOM sources say it was the neighbors who reported the two Christian workers; Dhunigana and Dai were arrested the following day. Both men are married and have children; local Christians have promised to provide for the men's families as long as they are incarcerated.

Pray that the men will be a bold witness for Christ, even while they are in prison. Pray for justice for these two Bhutanese Christians. Please send polite e-mails of protest can be sent to the Bhutanese delegation to the United Nations at [email protected]


INDIA (Religion Today / Compass Direct)
In the state of Tamil Nadu, Christian leaders are expressing joy and relief over the recent repeal of an anti-conversion law. The law specifically listed Dalits (who make up approximately one fifth of Tamil Nadu's population) as one group restricted from evangelism efforts. The newly-formed Tamil Nadu legislature introduced a bill on May 29th to repeal the four-year-old "Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Act." It went unopposed to the floor and was passed May 31st. "Thank God for this welcome change," said Gospel for Asia president K.P. Yohannan. "The law had been a heavy burden on our state and district leaders."

In Mayapuri Pradesh state a mob of Hindu extremists stormed a home prayer meeting in Mayapuri on June 4th and dragged Christians inside to a nearby temple to force them to bow before local gods. Police took 15 Christians into custody. Pastor Jagdish Bharti, 27, of the Bethel Fellowship Church, was charged with insulting religious beliefs "with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging" religious feelings. He was released June 6th on bail of 20,000 rupees (US$435). The other 14 Christians were released June 10th on bail after four hours of interrogation. "Police also created a scene at the police station, colluding with the fundamentalist elements and encouraging them to beat me up the next time I am caught evangelizing," said Pastor Bharti.

Pray God will protect Pastor Bharti and the members of his church from further harassment. Praise God for His favor toward the Dalits in Tamil Nadu. Pray the light of the love of Jesus will penetrate the spiritual darkness in India.

CHINA (China Aid Association)
Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers arrested 28 Christians at 11 a.m., May 28th, during a raid a house church raid in Xiguan Ma Jia Chang, Fugou County, Henan Province. PSB officers stormed the worship service and produced no IDs, summons, or detention papers. Bibles and notebooks belonging to the church members were confiscated by the police and no receipts were issued. After hours in jail, 23 Christians were released. Ms. Liu Yuemei, 59, was held until June 1st, after her family was forced to pay a fine of 1600 Yuan (US $200). Ms. Chang Xinhong, 35, was not released until June 8th, after she promised to pay her fine in cash. Three Christians still remain at Ba-Yi Prison, Fugou County, Henan Province. They are Ms. Chen Xuelan, 58, who hosted the gathering, Ms. Cao Yan, 55, and Pastor Li Shunmin, 52. The Christians decided to make a legal appeal and two members of the Chinese Christian Legal Aid Association, Dr. Li Baiguang and Dr. Fan Yafeng, have agreed to be their legal representatives.

Pray God will comfort the three Christians who remain in prison with His presence and give them strength to endure. Pray they will have opportunities to share the Good News with other prisoners. Ask that the Lord will give favor to the legal representatives and all these prisoners will be released.

LAOS/NORTH KOREA

(ASSIST News Service)
Ten North Koreans have been arrested and imprisoned in Laos while attempting to find a safe haven in a Southeast Asian country. Two South Korean Christian aid workers who were aiding the escapees were also arrested. The Washington, D.C.-based International Christian Concern says if Laos chooses to surrender the escapees to the North Korean embassy, they will almost certainly face either a long imprisonment in the Gulag or a death sentence.

Pray God will work a miracle of His grace to help the North Korean Christians find a safe haven. Pray the aid workers will be released and allowed to return to South Korea. Continue in fervent prayer for religious freedom to return to North Korea.

 

[michel]

Prayers for June 27, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

CHINA (Christian Aid Association)
On June 25, CAA released a report listing the cases of persecution against Chinese house churches in different provinces in China from May 2005-May 2006. According to the report, in the past 12 months, at least 1,958 Chinese house church pastors and Christians in 15 provinces have been arrested. It is reported that police officers and religious affairs cadres conducting the raids have mistreated and tortured Christians. The report shows that Henan has been the worst province in persecution against house churches. In 11 raids between July 2005 and May 2006, 823 pastors and believers were arrested. Five American citizens were arrested as well. Many of those arrested were abused. After a raid on March 13, 2006 in Wen county, two arrested Christian ladies, 72 and 21, were forced to strip off their clothes during the interrogation. A disabled pastor, Li Gongshe, was severely beaten with one of his ribs broken. (Read the whole story at www.ChinaAid.org). "Henan province should be put on notice as having the worst religious persecution record," said Rev. Bob Fu of CAA, "It is morally imperative for any conscientious foreign investors in Henan to address this serious issue."

Communicate your concern to the Henan province authority:
Governor of Henan Governor Li Chengyu
Tel: +86-371-65908675 and 65907565
Fax number: +86-371-65711621
Emails: [email protected] and [email protected]


Pray Christians in China's house churches will remain faithful to the One who has called them into His Kingdom. Pray those in prison will point their enemies toward Jesus. Pray for an international outpouring of protest that will cause the authorities to stop attacks on house churches.


COMOROS (VOM Canada)
Four men have been imprisoned in Moroni, Comoros for their "involvement in Christianity" according to a June 14 report from the Dutch office of Open Doors. Police have detained a former Muslim teenager, a married couple, a Muslim home owner and another Muslim who showed interest in Christianity. The arrests took place in May, following a complaint by the brother of a 15-year-old Christian who was angry his brother had abandoned Islam. During his interrogation, the Christian young man told police, "I am a follower of Jesus and study the Bible." Police forced him to reveal the location of the home where the Bible studies were held. They then arrested the Bible study leader and the owner of the home. While searching the residence, police found Bibles and other Christian literature, as well as a list containing the names of other Christians. When the Bible study leader's wife came to visit him in prison, she was also arrested. Two days later, she was sent to a women's prison where she was mistreated by guards and fellow prisoners. She has since been released but the four men have each been sentenced to three months in prison. It is reported that both the young convert and the Bible study leader have suffered mistreatment while in detention. In Comoros, a small three-island nation off the east coast of Africa, freedom of religion is guaranteed in the constitution, but the three church buildings in the nation are restricted to foreigners only.

Pray that the four men will remain faithful to Christ even as they suffer for His sake. Pray Jesus will give His special peace and comfort to the families of those arrested. Pray the Holy Spirit will overcome the spiritual darkness in Comoros and overwhelm the people with His love.

INDIA (Compass Direct)
On Sunday, June 11, Hindu extremists dragged an independent pastor to a police station in Karnataka state, accusing him of converting Hindus to Christianity. They beat Pastor Sundar Rao severely both inside the police station and after he was released the following day. The pastor has since been hospitalized. The police were mute spectators to the beatings, according to a local Christian who requested anonymity. The extremists forced Rao to sign a piece of blank paper inside the police station. They also told him the land he had bought for a church would instead be used for constructing a (Hindu) temple.

In separate incident in Chattisgarh state on Sunday, June 18, Hindu extremists broke into Hossana church in Kosa Nala, Bhilai district. Extremists attacked Pastor David Raj and other church members, including his wife. The radical Hindus placed a rubber tire around the pastor's neck and attempted to burn him to death. After the mob beat them, Raj and his wife Ratna Jyoti were arrested and charged with attempted forced conversion and promoting enmity between religious groups. Local sources said two women were tricked into signing a statement accusing Raj and his wife of offering them cash and a motorcycle if they converted to Christianity.

Pray the Lord will heal Pastor Rao so quickly and completely that his recovery will be a witness to God's loving care. Pray God will not allow the land dedicated to His glory to be the site of a temple. Pray Pastor Raj and his wife will be released from prison and protected from further attacks. Pray Christians worldwide will pray for the Hindus in India who need to know their Savior.

SAUDI ARABIA (Compass Direct)
Armed with wooden clubs, ten Saudi Arabian police raided a private Christian worship meeting in the coastal city of Jeddah on June 9. Police arrested four East African citizens leading the service. More than 100 Eritreans, Ethiopians and Filipinos were gathered for worship in a home in Jeddah's Al-Rowaise district at 11 a.m. June 9. Startled worshippers brought chairs to seat the policemen, who sat and waited with clubs in hand. At the conclusion of the three-hour worship service, police arrested Ethiopians Mekbeb Telahun and Masai Wendewesen and Eritreans Fekre Gebremedhin and Dawit Uqbay. The two Ethiopian and two Eritrean Christians remain in the city's deportation jail. One Christian who spoke with them by telephone reported they were "doing fine, with okay morale." But he said he did not know how they were being treated.

Pray God will protect the four leaders who were arrested. Pray they will be able to boldly witness for Christ even while in custody. Pray the Holy Spirit will tear down the dark curtain of unbelief in Saudi Arabia and the bright light of Jesus will shine through.

 

[michel]

Prayers for July 4, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

CHINA (China Aid Association)
May 27th and 28th, 2006, 30 house-church leaders from Langzhong City, Sichuan Province were arrested and forced to pay fines. Eyewitnesses and family members of the victims reported that the arrests happened from 11 a.m. on May 27th until 9 a.m. on the 28th during a fellowship meeting. Fifteen members of the Public Security Bureau in six police vehicles raided the meeting. Eyewitnesses say that during the arrests and interrogations, Christians were abused inhumanely by constant heavy beatings. Though some of those arrested were released on the 28th, on morning of the 29th, 14 house church leaders received criminal detention notices. They are:

• Li Ming
• Wang Yuan
• Li Jinbo
• Li Chengxi
• Shi Zhihe
• Gou Yongcai
• Jin Jiyun
• Wang Shuhua
• Gou Qingju
• Ke Xiufang
• Sun Changfen
• Hu Yongju
• Zhang Shulan
• Liao Zhoulan

Pastors Li Ming, Wang Yuan, Li Jinbo and Jin Jiyun are major leaders of the Chinese House Church Alliance which was established in 2004. It is made up of approximately 300,000 members from various house church movements scattered across 21 provinces. CAA also learned that in recent weeks a number of house churches from Beijing, Shangdong and Guangdong were forced by the local authorities to close. Polite letters of protest and concern may be sent to the Chinese Embassy.

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong,
Embassy of the People's Republic of China 2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008
TEL: 202-7456743
Fax: 202- 588-0032; 202-7457473

Pray Jesus will draw close to the prisoners with His loving comfort. Pray God will protect them from further beatings. Pray their faithfulness to Jesus will inspire Christians everywhere to seek a closer walk with our Savior and Friend.

(Compass Direct)
Chinese officials have expressed "strong dissatisfaction" with a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 12th condemning rising persecution of religious believers in China. The resolution came after U.S. President George W. Bush invited three members of China's house-church network to the White House on May 11th--author Yu Jie, law professor Wang Yi and legal scholar Li Baiguang. Yu, 33, attends Ark Church, an unregistered Protestant house church that has had to change locations six times to escape harassment. When Yu was asked to visit the White House, secret police in Beijing immediately called his wife, Liu Min, at her office in downtown Beijing. "They bluntly asked me to stop attending Ark Church, assuming that if I stopped going, the others would also scatter," she said. When she replied that she could not obey the order, the police said they would spread rumors to damage her husband's reputation. Police also advised her to divorce Yu.

Give thanks to God that information about the lack of religious freedom in China is being made public. Ask God to protect the house church representatives who were willing to suffer the consequences of reporting to President Bush. Pray all those who are threatened by the Chinese authorities will continue to stand up for Jesus.

ERITREA (VOM Canada)
In the early morning of May 16th, 15 Christians escaped from a military training camp in Asabe, Eritrea and attempted to escape across the desert into neighboring Djibouti. According to a June 23rd report from Open Doors U.K., the men had been detained in metal shipping containers for the past two years because of their faith in Christ. Military police pursued the men when they were discovered missing. After two days, the bodies of five of them were found dead from exposure. At last report the other 10 had not been found and there was no indication if they were successful in crossing the border into Djibouti. If they remain in Eritrea, their lives are in grave danger.

Pray if there are survivors, the Lord will bring them safely to a place where they can recover from their ordeal. Pray the families of the deceased will find comfort in the fact that Christ is victorious over death, and their loved ones will be raised with Him. Continue to pray for the safe release of the many Christian prisoners in Eritrea.

INDIA (VOM sources)
A group of junior doctors of Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh beat up a Dalit Christian laborer for several hours, cut his hair and forced him to drink his own urine in Gandhi Medical College hostel on June 21st. The police sources said the junior doctors started beating the Christian at 2:30 p.m. and continued the thrashing until night. The man somehow managed to free himself from the clutches of his tormentors and rushed to the nearest police station. The police are looking for the unknown persons on charges of wrongful confinement and physical abuse. In Bothli village in Durg district Sunday, June 25th, dozens of activists of a Hindu group, Dharam Sena, disrupted a weekly prayer meeting of Christians. As the prayer meeting was going on, more than a dozen Hindu fanatics surrounded the house, shouting slogans against Christians. They then barged into the house and started to attack all those present. Attacks on minorities, particularly on Christians, are increasing alarmingly. They are suffering a series of attacks and assaults by hardliner Hindu groups in many of the North and South Indian States.

Pray God will protect the Dalit Christians who are the poorest of the poor and give them peace and safety. Give thanks to God for the perseverance of the saints who remain faithful to Jesus in spite of severe persecution. Pray the Holy Spirit will come in glory and loving power to the whole country of India

 

[michel]

Dear Mr Michel Hiernaux,

"Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint."
(Isaiah 40:28-31)

Prayers for July 11, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs
http://www.persecution.com/

CHINA (China Aid Association)
The Zhonmu City People's Court sentenced Chinese house church pastor Zhang Rongliang to seven and a half years in prison on June 29. Zhang is a key leader of the China for Christ house church movement. He was arrested by Henan police and held without charges on December 1, 2004. 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. Previously Zhang had been detained five times and spent a total of 12 years in prison for his religious activities. He also co-authored a joint house church "Confession of Faith." Following his arrest, authorities confiscated Christian DVDs and other materials from Zhang's house that allegedly linked him with foreign Christians. Contact with foreign co-religionists can constitute illegal activity in China. Pastor Zhang has five chronic diseases, including high blood pressure and severe diabetes, which were all acknowledged in an official hospital diagnosis in 2005. According to Chinese law, Pastor Zhang is qualified to ask for medical parole based on his health condition. Chen has appealed to human rights groups around the world to pay close attention to her husband's case – and has asked the international Christian community to continue praying for her husband.

Pray God will give Pastor Zhang the physical and spiritual strength to endure. Pray that even now the Lord is preparing the hearts and minds of those with whom he will share the gospel while he is in prison. Pray the Holy Spirit will open the blinded eyes of the Chinese authorities so they can see Jesus.

CUBA (Compass Direct)
On June 26, the Rev. Carlos Lamelas, pastor and former national president of the Church of God in Cuba, was unexpectedly freed from jail. Members of Lamelas' extended family accompanied his wife, Uramis, and two daughters to the Villa Marita Detention Center in Havana last Monday for what they thought would be their weekly 15-minute visit with the jailed pastor. "It was a surprise indeed on Monday when we went for the visit," Carlos Lamelas' sister, Lourdes, informed friends in an e-mail. "They informed us that they had decided on a change in procedure and that the case was closed. He was free to go home." Arrested on February 20, Lamelas spent more than four months in jail without being formally charged. In a phone conversation from his home in Havana following his exit from jail, Lamelas told a friend that authorities had granted him "provisional" release.

Give thanks and praise to God for Pastor Lamelas' unexpected release. Pray the Lord will make this "provisional" release permanent. Pray God will continue to grow His church in Cuba, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

INDIA (Salem Voice Ministries)
Christian believers and their pastor were attacked during a worship service in India last Sunday. While police looked on, about 20 people surrounded and then attacked worshipers at the Good Shepherd Community Church in the Indian Punjab on July 2. One man helping out at the church was seriously injured and was admitted to the hospital. The pastor filed a report with the police later. However, about 50 Sarpanch villagers, came to the hospital and threatened to kill the pastor if he didn't leave. Then the villagers forcibly removed the pastor from the hospital. The pastor and his church members have faced persecution by the head of the village and his followers for a number of years. They have asked the pastor and his flock to leave the village, and threatened the pastor with "dire consequences" if doesn't withdraw complaints he has lodged with authorities about prior incidents. The land on which the Good Shepherd Community Church sits was donated to the congregation in 2003. According to SVM, "The latest attack on the church took place in the presence of police personnel who were posted on the orders of the High Court for protection, as well as prevention of any untoward happening in the church premises. Sadly the police officials are allegedly siding with the attackers. They have sent false reports to the higher authorities and refused to lodge (a complaint). And none of the accused have been taken into custody and action initiated so far."

Continue praying for Christians in India. Go before the throne with the certainty that those who come to Jesus will never be cast out. Pray our heavenly Father will protect all of His children in India.

NIGERIA (Compass Direct)
Local church leaders said Muslim extremists overwhelmed police officers who were providing refuge for an unidentified Christian woman in Niger state on June 28. Extremists stoned and clubbed the woman to death for doing street evangelism. David Atabo of the Roman Catholic Church in Izom said he witnessed the killing of the woman. He said she had met a group of Muslim youths, shared the gospel with them and gave them tracts. When nearby Muslim elders learned that the woman had preached to the youths, they claimed she insulted the prophet of Islam, Muhammad, and ordered that she be killed. Police rescued her and took her into protective custody, but a mob stormed the police station. "The police, realizing that the Muslim crowd was overwhelming, smuggled the woman through a back door to escape with her, but the Muslims blocked all escape routes, and at this point the police abandoned the woman to save their lives," Atabo said.

Pray our omnipotent Father will move in power to change the hearts of Muslim extremists in Nigeria. Pray Christians will continue bold and loving in sharing their faith. Pray God will use the martyrdom of this bold Christian woman for His ultimate and eternal glory.

 

[michel]

Prayers for August 15, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

CHINA (China Aid Association)
A pastor in the Three-Self Church in Pinglu County, Shanxi Province was prohibited from preaching and forced to leave the church by the Religious Affairs Bureau. The Pinglu Church invited a Hong Kong-based American pastor, Dennis Balcombe (Chinese name Bao Dening), to visit the church. The evening of July 9th, the head of the Pinglu Religious Affairs Bureau, Zhang Lianjie, came to the church and tried to dismiss the Bible classes and forbid the children to listen to Bible stories. He returned the next day with more officials, forcing the elders to retract their invitation to Pastor Bao Dening. In spite of immense pressure, church activities continued. On July 24th, Zhang came again and announced that a meeting would be held the next day to "discuss" Pastor Hu Qinghua's leaving Pinlu. All the members of TSPM (Three-Self-Patriotic Movement) and CCC (Chinese Christianity Council) were to be at the meeting. The meeting began at 6 p.m. and the elders enumerated the achievements of Pastor Hu since taking charge of the church. The meeting continued till 11 p.m., but no matter how hard the elders insisted, Zhang Lianjie declared that Pastor Hu Qinghua had to leave Pinglu Church immediately. Pastor Hu Qinghua has left Pinglu, but he still tries to comfort and encourage the brothers and sisters in Linglu Church, by phone, to stand firm in the truth.

Pray God will protect and comfort Pastor Hu Qingua with His loving presence. Pray the Holy Spirit will give the church members His grace to forgive officials who don't know Jesus. Pray the believers will remain strong in their faith and be more than conquerors.

EGYPT (Compass Direct)
Authorities in Alexandria have detained seven Christian men without charge since a fatal knife attack on churches there last April triggered two days of violence. Alexandrian Christians plan to sue the country's Interior Ministry for the men's release, as well as for compensation for Christian-owned shops and Orthodox churches that were damaged during the unrest. Hesham Azmy Iskender was among 101 Christians and Muslims who were originally detained. Over the following month, police released most of the prisoners. However, they have continued to renew the imprisonment of Iskender and six other Christians, even after the prosecutor general issued orders for the release of all the detainees in May.

Pray God will move in His merciful power to secure the release of these seven prisoners. Pray Christians in Egypt will know the inner peace that comes from forgiving their enemies. Pray Muslim officials in Egypt will turn to the One who can save their souls.

INDIA (Compass Direct)
On August 8th, a day after extending the bail of leaders of Emmanuel Mission International (EMI), the Rajasthan High Court today restored the registration of five of the mission's institutions and unfroze EMI bank accounts. EMI attorney Mohammad Akram told Compass that the court annulled the cancellation of registration of the EMI institutions without specifying a date and also ordered that their bank accounts be revived. Akram said the court also ordered the state Social Welfare Department to pull out its officials deployed at the EMI orphanage in Kota district. The officials were appointed at the orphanage following a June 13th high court order that dismissed five writ petitions EMI had filed challenging the revoking of registration of five of its institutions.

(Gospel for Asia)
In July, three students from a Gospel for Asia Bible College in Maharashtra were hospitalized after being attacked and severely beaten by a group of anti-Christian extremists. A month later, two pastors' wives were stripped and beaten before a village council for their faith in Christ. Both incidents are evidence of the growing oppression of Christians in central India, reports Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan. The three students, along with a few Christians from a local church, were returning from sharing the gospel in a neighboring village when they were attacked. The Hindu fundamentalists beat the believers with belts and large sticks, and pummeled them with their fists. A group of local residents saw the attack and intervened to break up the beating and rescue the believers. The pastors' wives in Chhattisgarh state were "dragged before the community council, stripped naked and beaten for accepting Jesus and following Him," reported GFA regional leader M.A. Lalachan.

(Gospel for Asia)
The freedom of millions of lost men, women and children to respond to the love and grace of Jesus Christ is in danger of being trampled down in the legislatures of two Indian states. Gospel for Asia regional leader M.A. Lalachan said the states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have passed anti-conversion bills aimed at keeping people from responding to the Good News of Jesus Christ. He called for prayer for the hundreds of missionaries working in the two states, for the Bible college students there and for the hundreds of churches now under threat from anti-Christian state governments.

Give thanks and praise to God that His work in Emmanuel Mission in Kota will be able to continue. Continue to pray for all of our brothers and sisters in India, asking God to defeat the spiritual forces of evil that drive the desperate measures of Hindu fanatics. Pray that despite any new restrictive legislation, millions of lost men, women and children will come to know the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

IRAN (Compass Direct)
Seven years after Issa Motamedi Mojdehi converted from Islam to Christianity, Iranian secret police have jailed him for abandoning Islam, but officially charged him with illegal drug trafficking. Authorities formally charged the 31-year-old Christian with drug trafficking when he was arrested two weeks ago. Secret police officials have told Motamedi Mojdehi that his real offense, said to be recorded in his confidential legal file, is abandoning Islam. Officials told him unless he renounces his Christian faith and returns to Islam, he will remain in jail and possibly face execution. An officer identified only as Mr. Baghani warned the arrested Christian that it might take "several executions" before Iranians understand the consequences of apostasy under Islamic law.

Pray our Omnipotent Father will protect Issa from all harm. Pray he will be kept strong by the precious Word he has hidden in his heart. Pray the mercy of God will keep Issa faithful to His Lord and Savior.


PAKISTAN (Compass Direct)
A Christian girl has gone into hiding in Pakistan to escape Muslim in-laws who beat and raped her for fleeing her forced marriage and refusing to practice Islam. Asya Khadim, 15, won a divorce from her abusive Muslim husband in February and sought shelter with a local aid organization to avoid reprisal attacks. Khadim had been married to Tanveer Qadir for almost 13 months when her mother filed the divorce case on her behalf in January 2006. "They tried to force me to read the Quran," the Christian girl told Compass. "My husband beat me every day for two months because I refused." Khadim's case highlights ongoing national debate over the controversial Hudood Ordinances that some say encourage domestic violence against women. Give thanks to the Lord that when Asya called to the Lord in her distress, He heard her and allowed her to escape her abusive in-laws. Pray God will work a miracle of His grace to take away her memories of the suffering. Pray for Muslims everywhere to hear and receive the gospel of peace, the glad tidings of good things.

 

[michel]

"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. "(1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

Prayers for September 5, 2006
From The Voice of the Martyrs

INDIA (Compass Direct)
The Congress Party-led government of the Southern state of Andhra Pradesh has decided to enact a law banning preaching of any religion other than Hinduism in Tirupati, a "temple town" in large measure under the administration of its shrine. National daily The Hindustan Times reported on August 21st that the state government had made the decision under pressure from Hindu groups that had "expressed resentment over missionaries preaching Christianity near the shrine." The daily quoted Endowments Minister J.C. Diwakar Reddy as saying that a bill would be introduced in the state assembly calling for imprisonment and a fine of 2,000 rupees (US$43). The temple administration has jurisdiction over two of the township's seven hills. The state government plans on bringing all seven hills under the purview of the temple administration.

Pray Christians will continue to be the feet of those who bring good news to their Hindu neighbors. Pray their boldness, love and courage will bring many Hindus to turn to the One who loved them enough to die for them. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in power to block the plans to bring all the hills under the temple's authority.

(Compass Direct)
Four Christians, including a pastor, who were beaten up and later arrested on charges of "forced conversion" in Madhya Pradesh state, were released on bail yesterday. Pastor K.K. Jwala of the Sheopur Bible Fellowship church and three members, identified only as Anup, Jijo and Raju Mathew, were released from the Sheopur district jail at 8 p.m. on Monday. A group of about 15 extremists punched and hit the Christians with hockey sticks soon after worship ended at about 10:30 a.m. on Sunday (August 20). The extremists dragged the Christians to the Sheopur police station about 500 meters away, beating them en route. The police promptly arrested the Christians. The four accused were to have appeared before the court on August 30th. The officer in charge of the police station, Hukum Singh Yadav, also allegedly beat Pastor Jwala at the facility.

Give thanks to God for the release of the four Christians. Pray that no matter what the court decides, they will praise their Savior for His guidance and protection. Pray the Holy Spirit will move powerfully throughout India, overcoming the darkness of Hinduism with the light of Christ.

NEPAL (VOM sources)
After facing much persecution at the hands of militant Hindus for some time, a Christian orphanage located in South Central Nepal has recently been mercilessly targeted by the Jota Lal Sahena gang, a group of local armed radicals. Information acquired by The Voice of the Martyrs indicates the band of outlaws warned the orphanage staff it must pay an enormous bribe. The ultimatum persists despite the orphanage workers pleading with the gang that they lack sufficient funds to pay the bribe. Refusing to respond to this illegal activity or bringing the outlaws to justice, Nepali police remain steadfast in their decision to offer the orphanage no protection.

Pray God will move in power to protect these children who are precious in His sight. Pray the Lord will give the children and workers His amazing peace as they trust in Him. Pray the militants will be so moved by the witness of God's power that they will desire to know the One who loves them and has called them to repentance and the deep joy of forgiveness.

SAUDI ARABIA (Compass Direct)
Saudi Arabia deported four East African Christians last month after they were detained while leading a prayer service in Jeddah. Arrested on June 9th, the church leaders were beaten and imprisoned for more than a month in torturous conditions. Masai Wendewesen, deported to his native Ethiopia on July 16th, told Compass that the Christians were never formally notified of the charges against them. But according to his Saudi work sponsor, the four had been jailed for "preaching to Muslims, planting churches and gathering ladies and gentlemen together for prayer," the Ethiopian said. The Christians were working in Saudi Arabia as chauffeurs and truck drivers. Proclaiming Christ to Muslims and building churches are forbidden in Saudi Arabia, where "apostasy" – leaving Islam – is a crime punishable by death. According to an August 25th report from Compass Direct, the four were inundated with questions about Christianity from their fellow prisoners. One prisoner said, "They would wake us up from our bed at night to ask us questions. We didn't think about the pain, we just preached the gospel."

Give praise and glory to our loving Father who used these men in such a powerful way. Pray their sharing will awaken a deep hunger in those who heard them and will bring many into God's Kingdom. Pray for Muslims everywhere, pleading with God to break the chains that bind them to a false god.

VIETNAM (Compass Direct)
Following an August 15-18 visit to Vietnam by U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom John Hanford, indications are that Vietnam will be taken off the U.S. list of the world's worst religious liberty offenders. With the planned September 2nd release from prison of key Hmong Christian leader Ma Van Bay – described as "propaganda exercises" by one human rights advocate – various releases by the Vietnam News Agency signal that Vietnamese officials expected Ambassador Hanford to take good news of religious liberty progress back to Washington. Vietnam's presence on the list of "Countries of Particular Concern" has remained a barrier to its membership in the World Trade Organization. According to representatives of the majority of Protestants in Vietnam – who remain unregistered and thus illegal – while there have been some modest and spotty improvements, there is still no clear indication of a breakthrough or even that reform is uniform and systematic. They also note that not one of the many officials who have broken Vietnam's laws in mistreating Christians has yet been charged.

Pray God will comfort and strengthen all believers in Vietnam who continue to suffer for Jesus' sake. Pray the Lord will speak to the hearts of the Vietnamese authorities, convicting them that everything hidden will be revealed. Pray God will open the eyes of our own government officials and give them courage to demand the release of all Vietnamese imprisoned for their steadfast faith in Jesus.

LAOS (Asia News)
Two Protestant Christians have been arrested in Southern Laos to stop them from pursuing their evangelization work, according to a report from the Lao Human Rights Movement (LHRM), which is critical of Vientiane's Communist regime. In a story published by Asia News (www.asianews.it), the two men - A-Kouam, 60, and A-Vieng, 35 - were taken into custody on August 11th and are being held in Depone in the Southern province of Savannakhet. The Asia News story says, "According to reliable sources cited by the LHRM, 'the arrest and imprisonment of the two Christian men is meant to stop the spreading of the Christian religion, especially among religious minorities.' "The Paris-based LHRM lamented the fact that in Laos 'freedom of religion is still very limited and religious minorities are victims of intimidation, threats, arrests and violence, both physical and moral.'" In the last few years dozens of Protestants have been arrested in Laos.

Pray Jesus will bring the comfort of His presence to these two men. Pray they will know that Christians all over the world are lifting them before the throne of our Almighty God. Pray for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit to bring the light of Christ to Laos.

 

[michel]

Prayers for October3, 2006:bible: