Monthly archive for September 2020

Christians in India are facing horrific levels of violence inspired by intolerance against Christianity. On August 21st, “Prasanna Kumar” (whose name has been changed for security reasons) was attacked and brutally beaten by 10 men for nearly 2 hours in Uttar Pradesh. He was accused of forcibly converting people to Christianity. The men pulled Pastor Kumar from his motorcycle and threw him to the ground, where they relentlessly kicked and beat him with wooden clubs.  They also promised to kill him if he ever returned to the village.

In another Indian state, Badaguda, Odisha state, followers of traditional tribal religions have blamed the prayers of Christians for driving away their gods. One village headman told a pastor, “When you pray, our gods leave us. So you must stop praying. We will not let you conduct prayers inside the village.” The Christians had to erect a temporary shelter for worship outside the village, but it was later destroyed and the church members beaten. These Christians were accused of “disturbing the peace” and threatened with arrest should they continue to gather for worship.

Pray for Pastor Kumar and many other Christians who are facing persecution because of their faith in Christ. Pray that they will receive both physical and emotional healing, and be strengthened in the Lord.

Pray that the Lord will strengthen and protect His followers as they rebuild their Christian communities, share their stories of faith, and encourage others who have experienced the trauma of persecution.

Pray against discrimination and intolerance towards Christians and that justice will prevail in every case where our brothers and sisters were falsely accused.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

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On April 28th, 14-year-old Christian girl, Maira Shahbaz, was abducted at gunpoint by Mohamad Nakash and his two accomplices while she was walking to her home near Faisalabad. She was then forced to convert to another faith and marry her abductor. The teen girl’s parents challenged the validity of the marriage. However, both the conversion and marriage was deemed as legal and Maira was ordered to remain with her abductor and “be a good wife”.  According to recent reports, Maira managed to escape her captor and is now in hiding somewhere in the Faisalabad area, along with her mother and siblings.

On July 22nd, 15-year-old Christian girl, Saneha Kinza Iqbal, was kidnapped on her way to church by Saeed Amanat, a 30-year-old married man with four children. Saeed is a security guard at a hospital in Faisalabad where Shaneha’s mother was admitted for treatment in June. During this time, he became familiar with the young girl, finding out where she lived. A neighbour reported seeing Saeed in a vehicle with Saneha. When confronted, the abductor’s father promised that Saneha would be returned to her family but he later reneged on that promise.

While Saneha’s fate is not known at this point, her family is concerned that she will be forcibly converted to another faith and married to her abductor, similar to the situations facing Maira and another young teen girl, Huma Younus.

Pray for Maira, Saneha, Huma, and other previously abducted Christian girls. Pray that God will mightily intervene by rendering His justice in each of their cases. Pray that He will also provide the much needed help and consolation to their distraught families.

Pray for divine protection and that God’s ministering angels will surround each of these girls, their loved ones, and all who courageously advocate on their behalf. Pray that His Holy Spirit’s conviction be upon the abductors, and all who encourage such crimes against vulnerable teen girls, bringing to light the seriousness of their wrongful actions so they will acknowledge their need for repentance and endeavour to do what is right.

Please share this prayer request.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

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Khamla was devastated when his wife left him. In his extreme sorrow, he had a strange encounter as he walked past a religious place of worship. After this encounter, he started acting strange. He became violently strong and unable to communicate.

His parents and the community were so desperate that they locked him in a cage. His parents made many animal sacrifices to the spirits and invited multiple witch doctors to help him, but nothing worked. Finally, they turned to the Christians, who sent believers to pray for Khamla every day. After a month of prayers, Khamla was completely healed and calm. He was then let out of the cage.

Because of this miraculous transformation, Khamla, his parents and siblings all gave their lives to Christ. Many others in the village also began to show an interest in Christianity. This worried village authorities who subsequently declared that only Khamla and his family could remain Christians, but no one else in the village could, and forbade Khamla and his family from leading others to Christ.

Pray that Khamla and his family will be anointed with divine wisdom to know what to do. Pray that they will grow in spiritual maturity and knowledge of the Word of God. Pray that their powerful testimonies will result in many other people receiving healing and transformation as they repent and receive salvation in Christ.

Pray that the Lord will break down all barriers, fears and misconceptions about Christianity and the gospel message, and the truth will set them free (John 8:32).

Do share this prayer request.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOM)

#persecuted Church

On June 28th, a group of about 30 individuals descended on a house church, Jesus Witness Church’s, worship service in eastern Sri Lanka and demanded that the family stop the worship. From outside the house, a member of the group phoned the pastor and told him he was not allowed to hold Christian worship in their village. This form of harassment is common in Sri Lanka, and pastors must have perseverance as they minister.

Pray for this pastor and many others like him serving throughout the country. Pray that they will have the wisdom to handle such situations. Pray that they will be strengthened with all power, according to the Lord’s glorious might, to remain steadfast and patient  (Colossians 1:11).

 

(Source : VOM, Photo Credit : Internet)

#persecuted Church

Pastor Wang Yi of the Early Rain Covenant Church is presently serving a nine-year prison sentence. He was arrested, along with his wife, in December 2018. Pastor Wang’s wife, Jiang Rong, was released on bail but is barred from interacting with family, friends and church members. She is being constantly monitored and has no freedom of movement. Their young son, Joshua Wang, is also restricted from interacting with others.

Since the church’s closure, the property is now being rented out for the operation of area businesses without permission from the church.

Pray for Pastor Wang’s safety as he faithfully serves his sentence. Pray that the Lord will minister to his daily practical and spiritual needs. Whilst he remains in prison, pray that his unwavering testimony will encourage fellow prisoners, guards and officials alike to seek the Lord and receive salvation in Christ.

Pray that God’s protection, provision and encouragement will also sustain his wife Jiang Rong and their young son, Joshua. Pray that they will find the strength to endure the challenges and oppression they are facing now.

Pray that members of Early Rain Church will remain faithful to the Lord even though they are unable to gather for worship, Bible study or fellowship.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church