The Weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert
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Pastor Dale Morgan
Jun 2, 2012, 12:33:42 AM6/2/12
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The Weekly
Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
- John Calvin
***********************************
In this week's edition: reports from Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Laos.
***********************************
1. Update: Blasphemy conviction overturned in Pakistan
(Source: Compass Direct News)
A court has acquitted a Christian couple in Pakistan sentenced to life in prison for blasphemy. The couple's lawyer said the judge accepted the couple's appeal because prosecutors failed to prove allegations that 32-year-old Munir Masih and his wife Ruqqiya defiled the Qur'an or insulted Muhammad in December 2008
The allegations came under sections of Pakistan's blasphemy laws which are often used to exact revenge on Christians over personal disputes. In this case, the Christian couple's children had fought with the family of Muhammad Yousaf, who then directed his driver to file the blasphemy charges.
A trial court exonerated them of blasphemy against Muhammad in 2010 due to a lack of credible evidence, but sentenced them to life imprisonment, which is 25 years in Pakistan, for allegedly defiling the Qur'an. Munir was released on bail in December 2010, while Ruqqiya, a mother of six, had been awaiting the decision in jail.
Praise God that Ruqqiya is now home with her family. Please pray that the unsuccessful prosecution of this false charge would deter others from making false accusations against other Pakistani Christians. Pray that this family will continue to serve Jesus Christ, despite the hostility they have faced.
***********************************
2. Church swarmed and raided by police in Azerbaijan
(Source: Forum 18 News Service)
Police in Azerbaijan have denied the recent raiding of a church, even though at least 20 police officers, including the police chief and the local head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, participated.
During the raid, police first searched for foreigners. After finding none present, they began questioning about 50 children to make sure they had permission from both parents to be there. At least one congregation member has been fined without being tried by a court.
A harsh Religion Law was adopted in the country in 2009 with new offenses and punishments that many in the international community say are vague and dangerous. There are limitations on conscientious objection, the distribution of literature, and the criticism of other religions.
Please pray that Christian brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan will rely on the spirit of power provided to them through Jesus, and that they will be bold and loving despite the adversity they face (2 Timothy 1:7-12). Pray that God will enable Christian parents in Azerbaijan to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Christ so that their children will be encouraged to walk closely with the Lord as they grow up (Deuteronomy 11:18-20).
***********************************
3. Islamist mob hurls urine, rotten food at Christians in Indonesia
(Source: Compass Direct News)
About 600 Muslims threw bags of urine and filthy water at 100 members of a church in Indonesia and threatened to kill the pastor. No arrests have been made. The mob, which included the chairman of the Bekasi chapter of the extremist Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), attacked members of the Philadelphia Batak Christian Protestant Church while police looked on.
The Christians were peacefully worshipping on the street of a community in Bekasi, near Jakarta, on May 17 when they were accosted. The angry throng began to throw urine, ditchwater, rotten eggs, stones and dirt when Pastor Palty Panjaitan came to speak to his congregation. The congregants were forced to disperse. Pastor Palty received a death threat and filed a police complaint.
The church had been denied a permit to construct a church five years ago, and the local administration asked it to shut down in December 2009 . The Supreme Court overruled the administration's decision in July last year, saying the church was eligible for a permit, but due to pressure from Islamist groups, officials insist the congregation meet elsewhere.
Please pray that members of this church will soon be able to freely worship the one true God. Please pray for the protection of Pastor Palty. Pray that those who oppose this church will come to know salvation through Jesus Christ. Pray that these believers will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).
***********************************
4. Mother in Laos expels Christian children from home
(Source: VOM-USA)
An 18-year-old son and 20-year-old daughter have been expelled from their home because of their Christian faith. When their mother became extremely ill, village elders claimed that the spirits were displeased because the two Christian children were living in the house. An older son tried to persuade his brother and sister to recant their faith, but they refused. Their mother then accused them of hating their older brother and wishing him dead. She threw their belongings out of the house and told them to leave. The two siblings immediately moved to a Christian village where they originally heard the gospel, where they were welcomed with open arms.
Pray for these two brave Christians as they begin a new life away from their family. Pray that they will rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd walks with them through this difficult time (Psalm 23). Pray that their family members will come to know Jesus Christ and that the family will reconcile.
l.
***********************************
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
- John Calvin
***********************************
In this week's edition: reports from Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Laos.
***********************************
1. Update: Blasphemy conviction overturned in Pakistan
(Source: Compass Direct News)
A court has acquitted a Christian couple in Pakistan sentenced to life in prison for blasphemy. The couple's lawyer said the judge accepted the couple's appeal because prosecutors failed to prove allegations that 32-year-old Munir Masih and his wife Ruqqiya defiled the Qur'an or insulted Muhammad in December 2008
The allegations came under sections of Pakistan's blasphemy laws which are often used to exact revenge on Christians over personal disputes. In this case, the Christian couple's children had fought with the family of Muhammad Yousaf, who then directed his driver to file the blasphemy charges.
A trial court exonerated them of blasphemy against Muhammad in 2010 due to a lack of credible evidence, but sentenced them to life imprisonment, which is 25 years in Pakistan, for allegedly defiling the Qur'an. Munir was released on bail in December 2010, while Ruqqiya, a mother of six, had been awaiting the decision in jail.
Praise God that Ruqqiya is now home with her family. Please pray that the unsuccessful prosecution of this false charge would deter others from making false accusations against other Pakistani Christians. Pray that this family will continue to serve Jesus Christ, despite the hostility they have faced.
***********************************
2. Church swarmed and raided by police in Azerbaijan
(Source: Forum 18 News Service)
Police in Azerbaijan have denied the recent raiding of a church, even though at least 20 police officers, including the police chief and the local head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, participated.
During the raid, police first searched for foreigners. After finding none present, they began questioning about 50 children to make sure they had permission from both parents to be there. At least one congregation member has been fined without being tried by a court.
A harsh Religion Law was adopted in the country in 2009 with new offenses and punishments that many in the international community say are vague and dangerous. There are limitations on conscientious objection, the distribution of literature, and the criticism of other religions.
Please pray that Christian brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan will rely on the spirit of power provided to them through Jesus, and that they will be bold and loving despite the adversity they face (2 Timothy 1:7-12). Pray that God will enable Christian parents in Azerbaijan to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Christ so that their children will be encouraged to walk closely with the Lord as they grow up (Deuteronomy 11:18-20).
***********************************
3. Islamist mob hurls urine, rotten food at Christians in Indonesia
(Source: Compass Direct News)
About 600 Muslims threw bags of urine and filthy water at 100 members of a church in Indonesia and threatened to kill the pastor. No arrests have been made. The mob, which included the chairman of the Bekasi chapter of the extremist Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), attacked members of the Philadelphia Batak Christian Protestant Church while police looked on.
The Christians were peacefully worshipping on the street of a community in Bekasi, near Jakarta, on May 17 when they were accosted. The angry throng began to throw urine, ditchwater, rotten eggs, stones and dirt when Pastor Palty Panjaitan came to speak to his congregation. The congregants were forced to disperse. Pastor Palty received a death threat and filed a police complaint.
The church had been denied a permit to construct a church five years ago, and the local administration asked it to shut down in December 2009 . The Supreme Court overruled the administration's decision in July last year, saying the church was eligible for a permit, but due to pressure from Islamist groups, officials insist the congregation meet elsewhere.
Please pray that members of this church will soon be able to freely worship the one true God. Please pray for the protection of Pastor Palty. Pray that those who oppose this church will come to know salvation through Jesus Christ. Pray that these believers will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).
***********************************
4. Mother in Laos expels Christian children from home
(Source: VOM-USA)
An 18-year-old son and 20-year-old daughter have been expelled from their home because of their Christian faith. When their mother became extremely ill, village elders claimed that the spirits were displeased because the two Christian children were living in the house. An older son tried to persuade his brother and sister to recant their faith, but they refused. Their mother then accused them of hating their older brother and wishing him dead. She threw their belongings out of the house and told them to leave. The two siblings immediately moved to a Christian village where they originally heard the gospel, where they were welcomed with open arms.
Pray for these two brave Christians as they begin a new life away from their family. Pray that they will rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd walks with them through this difficult time (Psalm 23). Pray that their family members will come to know Jesus Christ and that the family will reconcile.
l.
***********************************
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