Monthly archive for August 2023

Yasser was arrested in 2019 and sentenced in October 2020 to 10 years imprisonment for allegedly “acting against national security” by “forming an illegal evangelical Christian group”.

While Yasser was in prison, his 18-year-old son, Amir, who suffers from cerebral palsy, was sent to a care facility in Tehran and subsequently passed away in December 2021 due to health complications. Yasser was permitted to visit his son two months before he died but was not allowed to attend the burial.

After serving 3 years in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, Yasser is still grieving the loss of his beloved son.

On many occasions, Yasser has wondered whether this faith of his is worth enduring such pressures. And each time, when these thoughts come, he ponders on his relationship with God and is reassured that it is worth it.

Pray that God will comfort Yasser and strengthen him physically, emotionally and spiritually. Pray that he will be released early. Pray that God will continue to work mightily throughout Iran by leading many to faith in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo: VOMC)

#Persecuted Church

Raissa was a teen when she was kidnapped and raped by a group of thugs who wanted to punish her father, a Christian pastor.

For many years after the attack, Raissa felt trapped in her own home because each time she went out of her home, she would be taunted, threatened and re-traumatised by her attackers who were not punished for their crime.

Upon her request, front-line workers helped to relocate Raissa to a larger city, secure an apartment for her and help her begin her studies.

They also connected her to a ministry, that helps women who were victims of human-trafficking, where she works part-time as an administrative staff while receiving therapy and support to aid her own healing.

The Voice of the Martyrs also helped her family drill a well and build a fence around their home.

Pray that Raissa and her family will find complete healing and restoration in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

A pastor of the Good Shepherd Church in the Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka oversees a drug rehabilitation centre as part of his ministry to the community.

It was reported that a Christian man working at the centre suffered abrasions on his neck after being attacked by two opposing villagers on 16th June 2023.

Then on 19th June, two other believers working at the same centre were assaulted by a few people armed with iron rods whilst they were travelling on their bicycle. One of the believers suffered an injury to his head while the other sustained wounds to his hands. Both had to seek  medical treatment in hospital.

On the evening of 19th June, the same perpetrators went to the homes of two other families who were members of the Good Shepherd Church to threatened them and demand that they stop attending church.

Pray for divine protection for members of Good Shepherd Church and for believers working in the drug rehabilitation centre. Pray that those responsible for the attacks will be held accountable and restrained from committing further assaults. Pray that these perpetrators will have a personal encounter with the Lord and turn to Christ.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church

Pastor Nguyen was previously imprisoned in 2011 on alleged charges of “anti-state propaganda”. He was rearrested in 2017, convicted in 2018  for allegedly “carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the government” and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

It has been reported that Pastor Nguyen suffered a persistent cough after contracting COVID-19 but was denied medical treatment. He also has an eye condition resulting in almost total loss of his vision.

Pastor Nguyen’s wife is concerned for her husband’s life due to poor prison conditions.

Please pray for physical healing for Pastor Nguyen and an improvement in his health. Pray also for his spiritual and emotional well-being during this very difficult time of incarceration and being separated from his loved ones. Pray for his early release. Pray that the Lord will minister His shalom peace and comfort to this couple and provide for the needs of their family.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church