"Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness
or danger or sword?" (Romans 8:35) |
Prayers for July 15th, 2008
From The Voice of the Martyrs
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NEPAL
Priest Killed by Hindu Extremists - VOM Sources
On July 1, Father Johnson Prakash Moyalan, a Roman Catholic priest from
India, was killed by armed extremists in eastern Nepal. According to
The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "At approximately 1:00 a.m., the men
broke into a building belonging to the Don Bosco Mission in the town of
Sirsiya. They locked up the assistant priest and shot Moyalan in the
stomach and chest. Reports also indicated that a bomb was detonated on
the premises. The attackers left pamphlets on the scene identifying
themselves as members of the Nepal Defense Army, a terrorist group that
wants Hinduism restored as the state religion." Pray those who mourn
Father Moyalan will find strength, comfort and peace in Christ. Pray
that God will continue to raise up cross-bearing disciples in Nepal
willing to remain faithful to Him at all cost.
1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16
CHINA
Pastor Sentenced to Re-education Through Labor - China Aid
Association
On July 4, Pastor Zhang Zhongxin was sentenced to two years
re-education through labor in Jining city in Shangdong province.
According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Shandong
Re-education-Through-Labor Management Committee issued a written
decision sentencing Zhang Zhongxin to two years re-education through
labor. Authorities accused him [Zhongxin] of cult participation in the
‘whole scope of the church' organized ‘Sunday school training courses,
preaching the gospel to the northwest, Tibet and other places for
missionaries and pioneers sermons.'" CAA added that in 2005, Zhongxin
established The Rainbow Missions Fellowship and Timothy Bible Training
School in Jining city, Shandong province, where Christian leaders are
trained. Zhongxin has appealed his sentence. Pray for Zhongxin and his
family during this difficult time. Ask God to give them courage as he
appeals his sentence. Ask God to protect believers in China who face
trying times as the government cracks down on believers ahead of the
Olympics next month.
Deuteronomy 33:26-27
SRI LANKA
Christians Attacked - National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri
Lanka
Recently there have been at least two incidents of violence against
Christians in Sri Lanka. According to the National Christian
Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), "Unidentified assailants
set fire to the house of an Assemblies of God church pastor in the city
of Middeniya on the evening of July 3. The pastor, his wife and two
children awoke to find that a fire had been started by the main door of
their house. The family managed to put the blaze out before it caused
extensive damage and no one was injured. Local villagers opposed to the
pastor's church have reportedly been threatening him and his family in
recent weeks." Meanwhile NCEASL added, "On July 6, a mob attacked the
Calvary Church after false rumors about Christians attacking a temple
spread in the district of Colombo. At approximately 9:30 a.m., five
Buddhist monks charged into the church building during a worship
service and demanded that the service cease. The pastor led the monks
outside where they told him that there was no need for Christians in
the village and threatened to destroy all local churches. By the time
the police arrived on scene a large mob had gathered around the
building. Fearing violence, the pastor sent his congregation away. The
mob then attacked the building, completely destroying the contents.
They beat the pastor and at least five others with clubs and rods. The
pastor and his father were severely injured while others sustained
minor injuries." Ask God to strengthen and heal the victims of these
attacks. Pray that the faithfulness of Christians in Sri Lanka will be
a light that draws others to Christ.
Psalm 91
IRAN
UPDATE: Imprisoned Iranian Christian "Temporarily" Released -
Compass Direct News
Praise God! On June 26, Mohsen Namvar, an Iranian Christian who was
arrested in his home in Tehran on May 31, was released from prison
"temporarily." According to Compass Direct News, "Namvar was badly
beaten while detained. Upon his release, he was treated for a fever and
high blood pressure and his body appeared to be in shock. Local
Christians believe that authorities may have released him out of fear
that he would die in prison." Praise God for Namvar's courage and
release. Pray for healing in his body and peace of mind. Ask God to
encourage him and other believers in Iran who are standing in their
faith in spite of persecution. Pray God gives them strength to forgive
their persecutors.
Romans 8:11
YEMEN
Christians Arrested - VOM Sources/ AhSahwa Net
Seven Christians were arrested recently by Yemeni security forces in
the province of Hodeida, Yemen. According to VOM sources, "Security
authorities told media organization, AhSahwa Net, that Political
Security Forces in Hodeida city were holding a person named Hani
Hussein Dahani from the district of AlZaidia who is being accused of
embracing Christianity and leaving the Islamic religion. Four others
close to him had the appearance of missionary network, as well as two
others who were also seized, were involved in secretly spreading and
distributing Bibles in AlDhahi district a year ago, and who had been
fugitives from the law ever since." VOM sources added the report
confirmed that those arrested had been transferred to Sana'a city for
further investigation and scrutiny. The Yemeni government has arrested
these seven believers because they distributed Bibles in several
districts in 2007. Pray for strength for the arrested believers and
their families. Ask God to increase their faith and courage as they
stand for Christ during this challenging time. Pray those affected will
forgive their persecutors and get an opportunity to share Christ with
them.
Isaiah 54:17 |
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