After a hard day’s work in the fields on 25 February 2020, Saleem Masih, a Christian, had innocently gone to the well to rinse off. The landowner, from another faith, was furious with what Saleem did. The landowner called him a filthy Christian, accused him of polluting the waters and vowed to teach him a lesson.

Saleem was subsequently dragged to the farm, by the landowner and others, where they chained him up and began to torture him. The abuse continued for hours until he eventually fell unconscious from the pain. When the police and his family members found Saleem in the farm, he was still in chains.

Due to the severity of his internal injuries, Saleem remained in a coma since the day of the attack and finally succumbed to his injuries 3 days later at the hospital. Those responsible for his death have not been brought to justice.

Please pray for the family and friends of Saleem. Pray that they will be able to find comfort and peace in God despite the unjust and terrible circumstances. Pray that justice will be served in this case.

(Photo Credits & Source : VOMC)

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Christians in the village of Malasamudra in the state of Karnataka, India, gathered for worship on the morning of January 19th when a mob of about 20 militants intruded into the worship service & started taking photographs and videos.

When the adult congregation attempted to stop the militants from taking photographs of the children, the militants started beating the children whilst restraining the adult believers.

The militants  also threatened to set the believers’ homes on fire and burn them alive if they reported the matter.

Pray for the safety of these believers and their children as they gather for worship. Pray for the healing and emotional well-being of the children who were affected.

Please share this prayer request.

(Source & Photo Credits : VOMC)

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Pastor Sam often accompanied his wife to the market where she sold fresh fruit and vegetables. They would take the opportunity to share the gospel to those they met at the market.

Many people converted to Christianity and religious authorities decided to arrest Pastor Sam. He fled before they were able to arrest him so they arrested his wife instead and burned their entire stock of Bibles.

When Pastor Sam heard about his wife’s arrest, he returned to take her place in prison and served 2 months of hard labour in a prison camp before his release.

According to VOM contacts, the situation in the region of Wa State is very difficult for Christians right now.

Pray that Pastor Sam and his wife will not be intimidated but will continue to share the gospel and the love of Jesus to the community. Pray that God will provide for all their needs as well as the needs of their ministry. Pray that there will be a greater supply of Bibles to replace those that were burned.

Pray that God will strengthen believers in Wa State to stand firm in their faith. Pray that God will soften the hearts of those who have been persecuting Christians and bring them to a saving knowledge of Him.

Please share this prayer request.

(Source & Photo Credits : VOM USA)

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In October 2019, 14-year-old Christian girl, Huma Younus, was kidnapped from her family’s home in Zia Colony, Karachi & forced to marry her kidnapper, Abdul Jabbar, of another faith.

Huma’s parents have taken the matter to court and there were several hearings regarding the validity of the marriage of an underaged girl without her guardian’s consent. The court ruled in favour of her kidnapper and Huma’s parents have filled an appeal against it. The hearing of the appeal has been scheduled on March 4th this year.

In the meantime, Huma’s family are not allowed to see her and they are concerned for her safety and well-being.

Sneha is another 14-year-old Christian girl who was kidnapped while returning home from school. She was forced into a vehicle, taken to an unknown location, tortured and raped multiple times. She was also forced to convert to another faith and then married to her kidnapper. Thankfully, Sneha was recovered five days later and returned to her family. With the help of human rights advocates, the family is pursuing legal action against the kidnappers but have been forced into hiding for their safety.

Please pray that Huma’s family will be successful in their upcoming appeal and that Huma will be able to return home to her parents and family.

Pray also for Sneha and the many other Christian girls in Pakistan who have been victimized and forced into either marriage outside of their faith or forced into prostitution against their will.

Pray that God will intervene in each situation, rescuing these precious young lives from further assault on their dignity and well-being. Pray also that they will receive much needed healing – spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.

Please share this prayer request.

Source & Photo Credits : VOMC

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The attackers attempted to assault the Pastor and insisted that no “Christian worship” is allowed in the village even though the Pastor was invited there by the villagers.

That evening the Pastor, together with his wife, son and eight others went back to the village. When they tried to leave the area, they found the road blocked. A mob confronted and physically assaulted them and also damaged their vehicles.

Lord, we pray for the physical and emotional healing of the injured. We pray that God will make a way for the Gospel message to be preached in this village and that many lives will be touched and transformed.

We pray that those who are opposing the Gospel will eventually come to saving faith in Christ as they recognise and experience the love and joy of Christ reflected in believers.

(Source : VOMC, Photo Credits : Internet)

#persecuted church