Monthly archive for July 2020

During the night of 12th June, the Real Peace Church in Vaylur, Tamil Nadu, was set on fire by thugs. The fire destroyed the roof, which was made of coconut leaves and bamboo. By the time Pastor Ramesh noticed the flames and smoke, all the building’s contents were burned and considerable structural damage had taken place. This church has approximately 100 members.

Despite the destruction and significant loss, Pastor Ramesh is able to say the following statement: “We don’t suspect anyone in particular. People of all faiths come here to pray. Someone may have done it out of jealousy, but we forgive….”

Pray that they will have the strength needed to endure the challenges they are facing now, and the wisdom to make the right decisions in accordance to biblical principles.

Pray that God will provide the finances and resources for the church to be re-built and pray for alternative premises for the members to gather for worship.

Pray that those responsible for the attack will have a personal encounter with the Lord. Pray that they will receive forgiveness and salvation in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church

In December 2018, raids on the Early Rain Church resulted in the detention of more than 100 Christians. All have since been released except for Pastor Wang Yi, who is serving a 9-year sentence, and Elder Qin Defu, who was sentenced to 4 years in prison for “illegal business operations”.  Elder Qin’s wife, Xiao Hongliu, has written a letter, pleading for fellow Christians to remember her family in their prayers :

Dear brothers and sisters,

My name is Xiao Hongliu, I am Qin Defu’s wife.  I am begging for intercessory prayers for my family and me.

Defu has been in jail for more than six months. I had received his phone calls from the jail at the beginning of his sentence. Although the calls were only two or three minutes long, as long as I could hear his voice, I knew he was safe and alive.  Although I could not see him personally, I knew he was alive somewhere, where God could see him. However, since the end of March, I have not received his calls anymore. I have lost contact with him for more than 70 days, which makes my heart worry.

My reasoning makes me believe he is still alive, and that God is with him. However, not hearing from him is like an enemy. It hurts me so much that I suffer every day.  Normally, my husband would be managing the church, busy before and after, and I would merely hope for him to return home a bit earlier each night. Now my hope is causing me pain. Every day, I just want to receive one three-minute call from him, but this apparently has become an extravagant hope.

Dear God, please let me follow behind You, pulling on the hem of Your clothes, because I am no better off than the woman who suffered from a blood issue for 12 years.

I know my weakness, so I am begging for my brothers and sisters to pray for me and Qin Defu.  God, please, out of charity, give us mercy. We are so lowly we cannot bear it!

Qin’s wife

Please pray for Elder Qin and Pastor Wang Yi, and their respective families who are suffering because of being separated from their loved ones. Pray that both men will find favour in the eyes of the guards and fellow prisoners, and they will be treated with kindness and compassion.

Pray that God will comfort, strengthen and encourage their respective families during this time of separation. May they experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding even though they are unable to communicate or visit each other.

Pray that many lives will be touched and transformed through the testimony of both these faithful servants of God.

Please share this prayer request.

 

(Source and Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church