Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Christians attacked in Pakistan-VOM
Dear VOM Friends:
It was just a rumor. But among the radical Muslims in Pakistan's Gojra village, a rumor was enough of an excuse to kill.
When the rumor was broadcast from the loudspeakers on the minarets of local mosques, it became fact. As part of a wedding ceremony, the loudspeaker shouted, Christians tore pages from a Quran. Then they compounded the disrespect by walking on the shredded pages.
"Defend Islam!" The loudspeaker called. Muslims answered, rampaging through a Christian section of Gojra on Aug. 1. Eight Christians were killed, including women and children. More than 100 Christian homes were burned by a mob. The mob, which was estimated to be more than 20,000 people, also burned a church.
Five Hours Without Help
Emergency personnel did not reach Gojra for more than five hours. Christians were forced to use vegetable carts to move their dead and wounded to the hospital.
Responding to an international outcry, Pakistani government officials have now said no Quran was desecrated. The government promised to help rebuild the burned homes of Christian families.
Even before the government acted, contacts of The Voice of the Martyrs were in Gojra, offering comfort to the wounded and praying with the families of the dead. They continue to aid the village, including helping with some medical expenses, offering encouragement and pressing for a forceful government response.
Pray Blasphemy Laws Are Overturned
Christians in Pakistan hope these attacks can be a turning point. They are praying to God and pressing their government to overturn unjust blasphemy laws that are often a pretext to attack Christians.
They are also asking us to pray with them. Pray for Christians in Pakistan to be bold witnesses for Christ, despite threats. Pray for those wounded and left homeless by the brutal Gojra attacks. Pray for Muslims to come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way.
Send Help to Pakistan's Christians
For just $7 you can send an Action Pack to a Christian in Pakistan. If you would like to request and fill an Action Pack bag for Pakistan, you can do so by CLICKING HERE. We will deliver Action Packs to Gojra village in the coming months to help Christians rebuild their lives.
Please pray today for our Christian brothers and sisters in Pakistan. For the latest news on persecution of Christians in Pakistan and other restricted nations, visit VOM's online newsroom.
Matthew Chapter 24
Look especially at verses 8-10
Labels: Christian persecution, Matthew, Muslim, PAKISTAN, persecuted, persecuted church, prophecy, The Voice of the Martyrs, VOM
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The International Day Of Prayer (IDOP) For The Persecuted Church
ICC is offering inexpensive Prayer Bulletins (cover above) that you can use in your service to remember the persecuted.
Each prayer bulletin is 8 pages long and highlights 5 countries in desperate need of prayer.
Prayer Bulletins are $0.25 each, with a minimum order of 50 (For orders to AK, HI, or Canada, bulletins are $0.32 each). Shipping is free before October 31!
Order now!
Give us a call at 800-422-5441 to order or click here to order online! Orders after October 31 will be charged for rush shipping.
Would you join us in remembering our brothers and sisters who are suffering for Christ on November 9th?
This is from "International Christian Concern" icc@persecution.org
For more information you can go to
http://www.persecution.org/suffering/idop.php?PHPSESSID=6daa78c5235cc57b01e9fe0080a495fa
1 Peter Chapter 4
1: Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2: That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3: For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
6: For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7: But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
8: And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9: Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10: As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11: If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14: If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15: But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16: Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18: And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19: Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Labels: 1 Peter, persecuted, persecuted church
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Persecution Continues In China
www.asianews.it
12/11/2007 12:26
CHINA
About 270 Christian leaders are arrested in Shandong for reading Bible together
The underground Protestant clergymen had gathered in Linyi’s Hedeng district where police, coming from 12 different towns, arrested them. About 150 are still in prison. A secret campaign to “normalise” underground Protestant Churches is still underway.
Linyi (AsiaNews) – Police in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong have arrested 270 Protestant pastors from house Churches for taking part in an “illegal religious gathering” in the district of Hedeng near the city of Linyi. At present about 150 Christians are still in a state prison, this according to a US-based NGO, the China Aid Association (CAA), which lobbies for freedom of worship in China.
The arrests took place last Friday at around 1.30 pm local time. The Protestant clergymen had met to study the Bible when about 50 policemen from 12 different towns stormed the meeting place, blindfolded and handcuffed them two-by-two, and then taken them to a local police station for questioning.
The full story HERE
Also from Family Research Council
Religious Persecution: Made in China
As China works to better its image as host of next year's Olympic Games, their latest political crisis does little to help their cause. This weekend, reports have confirmed that Chinese officials stormed into the town of Shadong and violently arrested 270 Christian pastors for holding an illegal Bible meeting. As of this morning, 150 of the men were still in police custody. An eyewitness at the meeting said the raid was quick and brutal. Allegedly, 50 policemen "stormed the meeting place, blindfolded and handcuffed [the pastors] two-by-two," then hauled them off to headquarters for "questioning." While 120 were fined with "an interrogation tax" and released, dozens of others await their fate under a regime with a history of vicious religious persecution and zero tolerance for the underground church movement, now estimated at over 10 million members. Several local and international groups are monitoring the situation--which could have sweeping repercussions for the massive PR campaign underway to legitimize next year's Olympic hosts. Obviously, the detention of these pastors illustrates China's insincerity in moving toward a culture of religious tolerance. While the regime tries to project itself as progressive, the reality is that China has no intention of abiding by international law or abandoning its hostility to Western religious ideals. China's pastors offer the nation hope not a threat. FRC is calling on the State Department to intervene, issuing a letter today in hopes that Secretary Condoleezza Rice and the U.S. Ambassador can broker the pastors' quick release.1: Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
3: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5: For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9: Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10: Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11: For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12: So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13: We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14: Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15: For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16: For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Labels: CHINA, persecuted, persecuted church
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Prayers For July 10, 2007
"So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly,I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11: 22-24)
Prayers for July 10, 2007
From The Voice of the Martyrs
MALAYSIA – Christians Face Persecution – VOM Sources
The Voice of the Martyrs’ contacts in Malaysia have received information that they are being investigated by Malaysian police for sharing the gospel with Muslims. VOM sources reported, “An individual in one of the villages where we have led many Muslims to Jesus reported us to the police. The police have interrogated a family living in the house we have ministered in and have collected evidence against us. It is not clear how many new believers in the area are being persecuted.†Pray God protects Christians in Malaysia and strengthens the faith of new believers. Ask him to draw more Muslims into fellowship with Him as a result of what has happened. 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 4:6-7
IRAN – Increased Persecution against Christians – VOM Sources
The Voice of the Martyrs’ contacts in Iran report increased persecution for Christians in Iran. Several Christians have been imprisoned, interrogated and threatened. VOM sources said, “Iranian security forces prompted by the Islamic leadership and Iranian president are trying to wipe out Christianity in Iran. They are angry many Iranian Muslims are choosing to follow Christ.†Pray God protects and sustains Christians in Iran. Ask God to use the testimonies of those being persecuted to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him 1 Peter 5:7, John 14:27
INDONESIA – Imprisoned Christians Charged – VOM Sources
More than 40 Christian leaders imprisoned in April, after a video recording of them praying for Muslims was leaked to Islamic organizations, have been charged under Article 156 KUPH. Under article 156 and 156a, “anyone who expresses hatred, opposition or insults one individual or groups of Indonesian citizens in public, will be imprisoned four to five years, or fined 4,500 rupiah. Muslims claim Christians blasphemed the Koran by placing it on the floor and praying for millions of people deceived by it. The Islamic organizations consider the video’s content abusive and have released the video to the media. Among the imprisoned are parents of young children. Pray for those in prison and their families. Ask God to give them boldness and wisdom as they face these difficult challenges. Psalm 91, Isaiah 26:3
IRAQ IRAQ – Christian Killed by Militants in Baghdad – Compass Direct News
On June 12, Fouad Salim was killed by Muslim militants in Baghdad while leaving the police station where he worked. According to Compass Direct News, Salim’s family believes he was killed because he refused to convert to Islam. He had informed his family that anonymous people he believed to be Muslim militants had been threatening to kill him if he did not convert. Salim is survived by his wife and two children less than six years of age. Pray God comforts and protects Salim’s family. Pray those who persecute Christians will repent and accept Jesus Christ. Psalm 23, Romans 8:31
Click for Printer-Friendly Prayers
http://www.persecution.com/
Psalms 141:1-10
1: LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2: Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3: Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
4: Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
5: Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
6: When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
7: Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.
8: But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
9: Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10: Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.
Labels: Indonesian girls, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, persecuted, persecuted church, prayers, Psalms, The Voice of the Martyrs, VOM
Monday, May 21, 2007
Prayers for May 15, 2007, From The Voice of the Martyrs
Let us all come into agreement for the prayers listed below.
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"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil."(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) |
| Prayers for May 15, 2007 From The Voice of the Martyrs |  |
 CUBA  UPDATE: Pastor Summoned to Court – VOM SourcesPastor Carlos Lamelas has been summoned to appear in court on Tuesday, May 15, 2007. Even though he does not know why, he thinks it is because he needs to be given his "innocent verdict" in person. At the same time, he feels this could be the Cuban communist government's ploy to send him back to prison. Pray God will intervene in this situation. Ask him to encourage Pastor Lamelas and his family. Pray Christians in Cuba remain steadfast in their faith in Jesus. Psalm 51:10, Isaiah 26:3-4  CHINA UPDATE: House Church Leader and Mother Still in Prison – China Aid AssociationPastor Hua Huiqi and his elderly mother Shuang Shuying are still in prison. According to China Aid Association (CAA), Pastor Hua's trial will likely open in two weeks and his mother Shuang Shuying is being held in a medical center. "She is seriously sick and has been treated in that medical center since her sentencing. She is held in the kitchen hall in a one bedroom apartment-like prison cell with two other female prisoners. There are two PSB female police officers observing her 24/7. The doctor said she is too weak to be put in a formal prison because of her heart problem, diabetes and other medical problems," CAA said. Pray for healing for Shuang Shuying. Ask God to encourage Pastor Hua and his family as he prepares to go to trial. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7  PAKISTAN Muslim Radicals Introduce Anti-Christian Law; Christians Receive Threatening Letters – VOM Sources
 INDIA UPDATE: Pastor Released After One Year in Prison – VOM SourcesIn Orissa state on May 2, 2007, Pastor Jeremiah Mahji was released after spending a year in prison. The Voice of the Martyrs contacts report that since Pastor Jeremiah's release, there have been repeated phone calls threatening that his son, Pastor Nehusena, will be killed. Thank God for the release of Pastor Jeremiah. Pray God protects their family and believers in India. Ask that their testimony will bring others into the knowledge of God. Romans 15:1-6  TURKMENISTAN Pastor Jailed in Labor Camp for Three Years – Forum 18 NewsOn May 14, 2007, Baptist preacher Vyacheslav Kalataevsky was jailed for three years in a labor camp for illegally crossing the border in 2001, establishing a prayer house and organizing meetings for Christian Baptists. According to Forum 18 News, his family insists the sentence was imposed to punish him for his activity with the unregistered Baptist congregation in the city. Vyacheslav told the court today in his closing statement that officials have a hostile attitude to him because of his faith. "This is backed up by the fact that as soon as he was arrested in March, the questions were all about his religious activity, not about crossing the border," the family told Forum News. Pray for this pastor and his family. Pray his testimony will draw non-believers into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Psalm 10:17, 2 Corinthians 7:4  www.persecution.com | |
Labels: CHINA, CUBA, INDIA, PAKISTAN, persecuted, persecuted church, prayers, The Voice of the Martyrs, TURKMENISTAN, VOM
Sunday, March 25, 2007
VOM Prayers for March 20, 2007
"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."(John 14:16-17)
| Prayers for March 20, 2007 From The Voice of the Martyrs | |
| INDIA Pastors Brutally Beaten - VOM Sources
 INDONESIA Indonesian Christians Attacked; Church Closed - VOM SourcesOn February 11, 2007, a Moslem mob stormed Indonesia Bethel Church, in Majalaya, disrupting the service and beating church members. More than 50 Islamic extremists raided the church building and ordered the congregation to leave. Church members were threatened, beaten, and asked to show their identity cards. During the raid, a cell phone belonging to a church member, offerings, an important building permit and pictures of Jesus Christ were stolen. The militants insulted believers and said Indonesia was a Muslim nation. Hours after the attack at Indonesia Bethel Church, the same Islamic extremists marched to Baranangsiang and closed a church there. Pray believers in Indonesia will rest in the knowledge that God walks with them through this difficult time. Ask Him to heal all who were injured. Psalm 23 CHINA Thirty-Six Christians Arrested in Henan, China - VOM Sources/China Aid AssociationOn March 6, 2007, the police raided a house-church Bible study in Wancheng District, Nanyang City, Henan province. The leaders were taken to the police station and interrogated for a day. After international pressure, however, the local police have released 33 arrested house-church leaders and three leaders from South Korea. One leader, Pastor Dong Quanyu, was sentenced to 10 days administrative detention for "illegal" gathering. Pray Christians in China demonstrate the love of God through constant love and prayer for those who persecuted them. Pray for strength for Pastor Quanyu, as he serves the remainder of his sentence. Matthew 5: 43-48 www.persecution.com | |
Labels: persecuted, persecuted church, prayer, prayers, The Voice of the Martyrs, VOM
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
VOM-USA News & Prayer Update (February 20, 2007)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'"
(Romans 1:16-17)
| Prayers for February 20, 2007 From The Voice of the Martyrs | |
 ERITREA Pastor Arrested – VOM SourcesPastor Habtom Tesfamikael, one of the last remaining free Christian leaders in Eritrea, was recently arrested and imprisoned. He was a pastor of one of the largest Pentecostal churches in Eritrea, the Asmara Full Gospel Church. Pastor Habtom is married and has been serving the Lord for more than 30 years. Pray God will protect Pastor Habtom while in prison and comfort his wife. Ask God to use his experience to bring others to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Romans 12:14, 21 CHINA House-Church Leader and Elderly Mother Formally Charged/Pray for Pastor Fenggang – China Aid Association
 LAOS Christians Arrested – VOM Sources
 UZBEKISTAN Uzbekistan Authorities Admit Arrest of Protestant Pastor – Compass Direct NewsUzbekistan's religious authorities admitted for the first time this week that an Uzbek pastor was arrested last month in the Eastern city of Andijan and now faces criminal charges. Dmitry Shestakov was arrested in a raid on his registered Full Gospel Church during Sunday worship services on January 21. The pastor was charged with operating an illegal religious organization, inciting religious hatred and distributing materials promoting religious extremism. If convicted on these charges, he faces maximum sentences from five to ten years in prison for each separate offense. Matthew 5: 43-48 www.persecution.com | |
Labels: persecuted, persecuted church, prayer, prayers, Romans, The Voice of the Martyrs, VOM
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
VOM-USA News & Prayer Update (January 30, 2007)
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."(2 Timothy 3:12-15)
| Prayers for January 30, 2007 From The Voice of the Martyrs | |
| PAKISTAN Evangelists Beaten at Muslim Festival - VOM SourcesA team of Pakistani Christian evangelists supported by The Voice of the Martyrs was attacked and beaten Friday, January 26th, after handing out more than 13,000 Christian tracts at a Muslim festival in Pakpattan, Pakistan. Three members of the four-member team were roughed up by radical Muslims then taken to the police station where they were detained and questioned before being released. However, the fourth evangelist, the leader of the team, was badly beaten by a mob of more than 100 angry Muslims, who then dragged him through the crowd before taking him to the police station. He was beaten so severely that he reported blood in his urine and his stool. VOM contacts are taking him to a hospital for medical care. Pray for God's protection for these courageous believers. Ask God to heal their injuries and for the Holy Spirit to comfort their families during this difficult time. Hebrews 12:1-3, Psalm 107:20  VIETNAM Four Church Leaders Arrested - VOM SourcesFour church leaders from Tuyen Quang province were arrested by border patrol police at the border between China and Vietnam in Ha Giang province. They were on their way home from collecting books and funds for the Pastor Support Program in Vietnam. There is no further information on their arrest. Pray God will protect them in prison and open a door for them in prison so they can share the gospel for which they suffer. Ask Him to encourage their families and for the Vietnamese government to release them. Colossians 4:2-3 ERITREA Sixty-eight Christians Arrested - Compass Direct News/VOM SourcesPolice and military authorities in Eritrea jailed 68 Christians in three official round-up operations conducted the first week of January.
INDIA Worship Service Disrupted In Madhya Pradesh - VOM SourcesA worship service in Kanpur was disrupted when Hindu extremists stormed the meeting. According to the Global Council of Indian Christians the militants were targeting foreign missionaries from Japan, present at the meeting. The pulpit and sound system were destroyed and those attending the meeting were pushed and abused for two hours before police arrived. Thank God no one was seriously hurt in this attack. Pray Christians will remain bold and continue to proclaim the gospel in India. Hebrews 10:32-39 p UPDATE - Christian Released from Prison after Six YearsOn Friday, January 19, 2007, Shahbaz Kaka, was released from prison after serving six years of a life sentence. According to a statement issued by Justice Ejah Ahmad Chaudry (High Court Lahore), Shahbaz will spend a month under medical care and then return home. Shahbaz was arrested in June 2001, after he used the bathroom at a mosque. "Qari Rafique, the head of the mosque, asked him why he was using the toilet that was adjacent to the mosque. He quizzed Shahbaz on whether he was a Christian because he was wearing a cross around his neck," a VOM source said. The source added that after the conversation, Rafique initiated false allegations against Shahbaz. A complaint was made to the authorities stating Shahbaz disgraced the Quran by tearing pages out, cutting them into pieces and trampling them under his feet. Shahbaz was arrested and later charged with blasphemy. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2004. VOM rejoices with Shahbaz Kaka and his family at his release. Pray his testimony will cause Muslims in Pakistan to follow Christ. Ask God to protect and comfort Christians in Pakistan who face persecution. | |
Labels: Christ Jesus, Christian persecution, ERITREA, Faith, INDIA, PAKISTAN, persected, persecuted, persecuted church, prayer, The Voice of the Martyrs, VIETNAM, VOM
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