M
MrVersatile48
Guest
Dear Pray-ers,
"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)
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 to the Bhutanese delegation to the United Nations at bhutan@un.int
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
http://www.persecution.com
"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)
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 to the Bhutanese delegation to the United Nations at bhutan@un.int
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
http://www.persecution.com