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The Weekly
Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, January 19, 2012
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated
you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its
own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of
the world, therefore the world hates you."
-- John 15:18-19 - ESV
***********************************
In this week's edition: reports from Pakistan, India, China, Iran
and Yemen.
***********************************
1. Update: Christian sentenced to death in Pakistan fasting,
praying and forgiving
(Source: VOM-USA, Atlas Shrugs)
Asia Bibi, a Christian wife and mother sentenced to die for
allegedly committing blasphemy against Islam, says she has
forgiven those who are persecuting her. She recently told a
Pakistani journalist, who asked her a list of questions prepared
by an American journalist, that she spends her time praying and
fasting for her family and other persecuted Christians.
Asia is confined to a cell and is allowed to go outside 30 minutes
each day. She sees her two daughters and husband one hour each
week. Asia told her interviewer one of the prison workers recently
tried to strangle her, and she must prepare her own food since it
is feared she will be poisoned if workers in the prison prepare
it. Life for All is supporting her family and has hired a lawyer
to try and overturn the conviction. She says she is hopeful that
she will be released, but there is a bounty of about $8,000
offered by the Islamic clerics to anyone who will kill her. Asia
says she is content that her future is in God's hands and she will
accept His will.
Please pray that Asia's young daughters and husband will rely on
the Lord as a source of strength and hope. Pray that Asia's
forgiving heart will be used by God to inspire others to forgive
and show love. Please pray that the ongoing petition for Asia
hosted by VOM-USA at www.CallForMercy.com will help lead to her
release.
***********************************
2. Karnataka most dangerous state in India for Christians
(Source: Compass Direct News)
Christmas and New Year's holidays in the south Indian state of
Karnataka brought a dramatic increase in attacks on believers, and
the state was identified as the most unsafe place for Christians
for the third consecutive year.
There were 49 cases of violence and hostility against Christians
in the state last year, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of
India's annual report. The Global Council of Indian Christians
reported there were at least six anti-Christian attacks between
Christmas Eve and New Year's Day alone. Services and prayer
meetings were disrupted and pastors and worshippers were harassed
and physically abused by groups of suspected Hindu extremists. In
one case on Christmas Day, about 20 people beat Christians,
including women and children, with stones and wooden clubs as the
believers celebrated at a house a few miles from the city of
Mangalore. Injuries in the attacks included fractures, chest
injuries and head trauma. Christians account for at least 2.3
percent of India's population, which is more than 1 billion.
Please pray that eruptions of violence will cease and the storm of
hostility will be stilled in this troubled state. Please pray for
the physical and emotional healing of those who have been attacked
and harmed. Please pray that Christians in Karnataka will be
Christ's light and will overcome the spiritual darkness that is
consuming this region.
***********************************
3. Update: New year brings renewed efforts to prevent worship at
Shouwang Church in China
(Source: ChinaAid)
Christian believers at Beijing Shouwang Church, who had arranged
an outdoor worship service after the government continued to
thwart their efforts to rent premises to worship indoors, were
harassed, detained and prevented from worshipping together on
January 1. The church has long been a target for the oppressive
government. Believers report that at least 49 Christians were
taken into custody either before they were able to depart for the
outdoor service or as they made their way there. Most believers
were sent to 13 local police stations. Many were released home
late that night and all were released by January 3.
The church had rented three different locations to conduct indoor
worship services, but by the evening of December 31, 2011, all
three sites notified the church that they could not lease the
space to the church and had to tear up the agreement as the result
of government interference and pressure. Since then, China's state
and domestic security have come out in force setting up guard
stations and imposing martial law at the plaza where the outdoor
service had been planned. Those who had been to the plaza in the
past were confined to their homes by security guards, and pastors
have been under house arrest.
Please pray that our brothers and sisters at Shouwang Church will
be granted the freedom to worship indoors without fear of reprisal
or harassment. Pray that these believers will continue to spread
the gospel despite these trials as a testament to God's sovereign
power and for His glory.
***********************************
4. Update: Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani refuses to compromise
faith for release
(Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide)
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani recently refused to state that the Muslim
prophet Muhammad was a messenger sent by God despite the fact that
it would have secured his release. On December 30, local
authorities said they would release the pastor if he agreed to
make the statement, but the pastor rejected the offer and remains
in prison awaiting a final decision on his case. The request
violates article 23 of the Iranian Constitution, which states that
no one should be molested or taken to task simply for holding a
certain belief.
The pastor at the Church of Iran was arrested in Rasht in 2009,
and in September 2010, he was tried and found guilty of apostasy
and sentenced to death. He was made three similar offers in 2011
where recanting his faith would have saved his life, but he
refused each time. His case was eventually referred to Iran's
Supreme Leader. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the case may
have been passed on to the head of the Iranian judiciary, delaying
execution for up to a year to allow time to convince the pastor to
renounce his faith.
Please pray that Pastor Youcef's courage and faith will continue
to be an example to the world that the Lord is more valuable than
any earthly reward. Please pray that his steadfast resolve to
protect the integrity of the gospel message will lead others to
salvation. Please pray for his release.
***********************************
5. Update: Pray for missing Christians in Yemen
(Source: Middle East Concern)
December 12, 2011, marked two-and-a-half years since the
kidnapping of nine foreigners in Saada, north-west Yemen, three of
whom were murdered shortly afterwards
There continues to be no news of Johannes and Sabine (a German
couple), Simon (their son, age 3) or of Tony (a British man).
Lydia and Anna (7 and 5, daughters of Johannes and Sabine) who
were freed in May 2010 are with relatives in Germany and are
reported to be in good health. It is reportedly a challenge for
these relatives to function as Lydia and Anna's parents in light
of their unique needs and in the context of the other children in
their home.
Christians close to the situation are hopeful that the recent
agreement to transfer power from President Saleh to the Vice
President and the formation of a unity government may lead to the
release of information about the four missing foreigners. These
political changes have not yet led to much positive change in the
country as a whole, and protests and violent clashes continue in
many parts.
Pray that the missing four, assuming they are alive, will know the
peace, presence and daily provision of Jesus and will be released
unharmed. Please pray that the families and colleagues of those
missing and murdered will know the peace of Jesus amidst
continuing uncertainty. Pray that the perpetrators will be
convicted by the Spirit and drawn to the forgiveness, love and
true life offered by Jesus.