M
MrVersatile48
Guest
VOM-USA News & Prayer Update
Dear Pray-ers,
"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
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.
http://www.persecution.com
Dear Pray-ers,
"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
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.
http://www.persecution.com