Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Please pray for the persecuted church

Read the comment section of this post for some news facts from several countries around the globe where Christians are persecuted today! Source: Persecutionblog

*UPDATE* Severe Persecution in India right now!

Why persecute Christians? Because, just like in England and America in centuries past, believers in Jesus are the ones today working and praying toward the liberation of millions of “slaves” on the Indian subcontinent. These slaves—the Dalits and other lower castes—make up the vast majority of the Indian population. Yet they are the ones harassed, abused, denied the right to worship, forced to live on the outskirts of villages, maltreated and even murdered—simply because of their social position. And today their desire for freedom is being threatened by the greed of a powerful minority . . . all for economic gain.

Please read this recent news and this background information from K.P. Yohannan from Gospel for Asia - please take some time to pray and raise awareness about the suffering going on right now!

4 comments:

Paul said...

"Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."(Lamentations 3:22-23)

Prayers for February 27, 2007
From The Voice of the Martyrs
The Voice of the Martyrs Visit: Persecution.com
Pray for INDIA
INDIA Continued Violence against Christians in India - VOM Sources

* Andra Pradesh: Pastor Goda Israel was missing after attending a prayer meeting on February 17, 2007. His family and church members reported his disappearance to the police, but they did not take any action. After three days, Pastor Israel's body was found in a Canal. Pastor Israel was a pastor for more than two churches. Pray God comforts his family, church members and also that the truth will be investigated and reported regarding his death.
* Karnataka: There has been more violence against Christians in Karnataka. Police recently harassed believers demanding to know the location of the leader of a prayer ministry. The police alleged he was a terrorist from Sri Lanka. Police officers severely beat three Christians when they could not tell the Christian leader's location. Police gave them a strict warning and wanted them to turn the pastor in. Pray God will heal the injured believers as they receive treatment in a hospital. Ask for withdrawal of the accusation that the pastor is a terrorist and for God to open a way for this Christian leader to work peacefully in this area.
* Orissa: Christians continue to face persecution in Eastern India. On February 22, 2007, radical Hindu forces demolished a church which was under construction in the Niladeri Bihar slum. Christians living in the slum are being intimidated and threatened by the radicals. Pray for protection and boldness as Christians in India face uncertain times.
* Chhattisgarh: It has been brought to our attention that in last week's prayer update on India, only 30-35 Hindu extremists attacked a pastor's conference in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on February 2, 2007. The conference was attended by 80 delegates including four foreigners. The attackers stole two laptops, four mobile phones, three digital cameras and 15000-16000 rupees (about $350 US dollars). Thank you for your continued prayers for Indian Christians. 1 Peter 5:10, 11; Ephesians 6:19-20

Pray for BURMA
BURMA Military Government Asks for List of Christians - VOM Sources
The government in Burma has again asked for lists of all the names of Christian children’s homes, assemblies, church pastors, leaders, members and families. The military government has also fixed the time for worship which forbids Christians to meet outside these "official" times. Christian leaders in Burma do not know what the government is going to do with the lists. Pray God gives Christians in Burma wisdom and boldness during this time. Pray for protection of all Christians and ask their experience may draw non-believers into the knowledge of Christ. Revelation 2:10

Pray for CHINA
CHINA Update on Pastor Liu Fenggang - VOM Sources
On February 26, 2007, Pastor Liu Fenggang had successful heart surgery in a Beijing Hospital. The doctors told the family that three aortas in his heart were 95% blocked. He and his wife are thankful for the prayers for his health. Continue to pray for healing and for wisdom for the doctors as they treat Liu’s diabetes. Malachi 4:2

Pray for EGYPT
EGYPT Police Detain Families after Anti-Christian Attack - Compass Direct News
Police detained Christian families in Upper Egypt and forced them to deny arson attacks on their homes during an outburst of anti-Christian violence last week. Two Coptic Orthodox families have said police detained them for 36 hours when they attempted to report a February 13 assault on their homes in Armand, 373 miles south of Cairo. The fires came five days after Muslim groups set four Christian-owned shops alight on February 9. It is believed hostilities began over accusations that Christians were blackmailing Muslim women to convert. Authorities detained Christians when they tried to report the February 13 arson attack on their homes. Pray God will provide for the families that have lost their homes and property. Ask God to use their suffering to draw other into fellowship with Him. Psalm 5:11-12

Pray for LAOS
LAOS RETRACTION- LAOS - Christians Arrested
Our contacts in Laos have received updated information regarding the Southern Laos prayer request sent out February 20, 2007. We are pleased to report the two Christian men were not arrested as previously reported. Thank you for your continued prayers for the persecuted church in Laos.

Paul said...

Today I received a message from K.P. Yohannan from Gospel for Asia. Please pray for all people involved:

Militants Attack GFA Bible College
February 28, 2007

Dear Paul,

Sharing the Gospel in India is an increasingly dangerous undertaking, especially in the state of Orissa.
You may remember that this is where Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons were burned to death in 1999.

On Wednesday evening, February 28, about 500 anti-Christian militants attacked the staff and students of a Gospel for Asia Bible college. You can read more about this attack here: http://www.gfa.org/militants-attack-gfa-bible-college

This is one of the most severe situations we've ever dealt with. Five students were hospitalized, one in critical condition. The Bible college campus sustained considerable damage during the attack. The situation remains tense. Please join me in praying for complete restoration of the injured students, staff members and their college. Also join me in praying for the souls of these 500 men who carried out the attack--they, too, need the love of God.
Yours for the unreached,

K.P. Yohannan
Founder & President

Rev Phil said...

In the country next door to where I live, I was talking to a Pastor who suffered persecution just a few years ago but is now rejoicing because over Christmas they held 'Open House' and students came in all day to find out what Christmas was all about.
Our Church sends teams in 4 times a year to teach to a group of 22 churches in one town, yet in the Capital of the same province Christians are still suffering persecution. There is great improvement, from when I first came in the mid 80s, when I meet a number of believers who had been severely persecuted, but we need to continue to uphold the believers there, because in some areas there is still a lot of problems.
Thank you for reminding us that there are still more believers in the world suffering for their faith than are free.
PHIL

Anonymous said...

ok, very good!