M
MrVersatile48
Guest
Dear Pray-ers,
"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 http://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.
http://www.persecution.com
"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 http://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.
http://www.persecution.com