The Weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

The Weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert

The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada

Thursday, October 20, 2011

"Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."
-- Romans 8:35,37

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In this week's edition: reports from Sudan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Iran
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1. Officials to demolish church buildings in Sudan
(Source: Compass Direct)

Government officials are threatening to destroy three church buildings in Sudan. The church buildings were marked for demolition with red crosses on September 11, and local church leaders say the officials simply said, "We are going to demolish these churches." Officials from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Public Utilities - Khartoum State arrived at the Sudanese Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church of Sudan and the Roman Catholic Church accusing them of operating churches on government land without permission, although church leaders say the buildings are not located on government land. Christians in the region also said officials from the Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowment have called church leaders for information about their church members and activities, collecting information in an effort to make Islam the official state religion. "This is purely for intelligence purposes, so that they can put more restrictions on churches and Christians," said the Rev. Yousif El-Denger Kodi, general secretary of the Sudanese Lutheran Church. "We as church leaders are aware of their plans, but we pray for God to rescue us from their evil plans."

Please pray for the Lord's protection over the church in Sudan. Please pray that followers of Christ in Sudan would remain steadfast in the face of persecution and that they would be free to worship in their local churches without harassment or fear.

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2. Church closed and pastor arrested in Indonesia
(Sources: VOM-USA, Kabar Gereja)

The pastor of an Indonesian church established almost a quarter of a century ago has been arrested for allegedly forcing people to attend church. He faces up to three months in prison for the charges against him. His church has also been closed. Officials allege that the Indonesia Pentecostal Church (GPdI) in Sumedang was using an illegal building permit. Officials had previously asked the church to cease conducting Christian worship and had also requested that the church move its services into a building belonging to the Institute of Public Administration (IPND). An Indonesian Christian organization said the IPND cannot accommodate the congregations of any more closed churches, since about 14 churches have already been relocated to the building. At least 30 churches have been closed or burned in Indonesia this year alone, according to Jakarta Christian Communication Forum.

Please pray that Christian brothers and sisters in Indonesia would continue to find the means to worship despite church building closures and the arrest of church leaders. Please pray that God would multiply the faith and love of His followers in Indonesia in the face of persecution. Please pray that this church would be reopened and its pastor freed.

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3. New laws in Kazakhstan oppress Christians
(Source: Forum 18 News Service)

The president of Kazakhstan has ushered in two new laws that severely restrict freedom of religion. President Nursultan Nazarbaev signed the laws -- which have been adopted with what one observer called "unprecedented" speed -- in mid-October. The laws have attracted fierce criticism from local religious groups, human rights defenders and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). "The Law on Religious Activity and Religious Associations" imposes a very complicated registration system for faith groups, bans unregistered religious activity, promotes censorship and requires government approval to build or open new places of worship. The other new law includes amendments that may also have a far-reaching impact on religious freedom.

Pray for courage and wisdom for Christians and others who are raising a voice against these restrictive new laws. Please pray believers would be protected from legal persecution. Pray that President Nazarbaev's heart would be softened and that he would relent and repent (Acts 9).

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4. Update: Pastor Vahik and Sonia Abrahamian flee Iran
(Source: FCNN)

Iranian pastor Vahik Abrahamian and his wife, Sonia, left the country for the Netherlands on September 15 with the help of the Netherlands Embassy and with approval from the Iranian government. Vahik and Sonia continually expressed their desire to remain in Iran for the sake of their ministry; however, fears for their safety caused them to flee the country.

The Abrahamians were arrested along with another couple in September 2010. Sonia and the other Christians were released from prison in April 2011. Sonia was told her husband would be released 10 days later, but Pastor Vahik was not released until August 29

Thank the Lord for guiding and protecting Vahik and Sonia. Pray that they would sense His presence and direction in the coming months. Pray for the many other Iranian Christians who are imprisoned for their faith, including Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.

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