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.The Weekly
Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
October 01, 2011
"You never know how much you really believe anything
until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to
you."
-- C.S. Lewis
***********************************
In this week's edition: reports from Iran, Nigeria, West Bank and
Laos
***********************************
1. Update: Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani refuses to recant,
faces execution
(Source: Compass Direct, Present Truth Ministries, Christian
Solidarity Worldwide)
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor sentenced to death for
apostasy in September 2010, refused to recant his faith during
four court hearings held on September 25-28. He now faces an
imminent verdict of the death sentence, which is expected to be
issued within seven days. "They probably won't kill him today, but
they can do it whenever they want," a source said. "Sometimes in
Iran they call the family and deliver the body with the verdict."
In July, the Supreme Court instructed the Revolutionary Tribunal
of Gilan Province to review Youcef's case to verify whether he was
previously a practicing Muslim. At the recent hearings, the court
in Rasht ruled that Pastor Youcef was not a practicing Muslim
before becoming a Christian but that he remains guilty of apostasy
because of his Muslim ancestry.
Please pray for continued strength and grace for Pastor Youcef.
Pray that all charges against him will be dropped. Pray that
Pastor Youcef will rely on the Lord to give him the words to say
when he stands before accusing authorities (Matthew 10:19). Pray
that Iranian authorities will act justly in this case.
A source in Iran has shared that it is critical for foreign
governments to negotiate and engage in diplomacy with Iranian
authorities about Nadarkhani's case, adding that Youcef's
predicament could be more hopeful if they intervened. Please raise
a voice on Pastor Youcef's behalf by writing Canada's Minister of
Foreign Affairs, your local MP, and the Iranian embassy. For
addresses and a sample letter you can use, go to
www.tinyurl.com/nadarkhani.
***********************************
2. Scores of Christians killed in Plateau state, Nigeria
(Source: Compass Direct)
Dozens of Christians have been killed by Muslim extremists in
Nigeria's Plateau state in recent weeks. On September 4, eight
members of a Christian family were shot and butchered with
machetes in Tatu village. The next day, seven Christians were
killed in the village of Zakalio. Another four Christians were
murdered on September 5 after Muslims attacked the Christian
communities of Dabwak Kuru and Farin Lamba. On September 8,
extremists attacked Tsohon Foron village and killed 10 Christians.
The following evening, Muslim attackers killed 14 believers,
including a pregnant woman, in the village of Vwang Kogot. The
Muslims, aided by men in Nigerian army military uniforms, then
raided the village. A pastor in the area said, "No help or relief
from the government has been received by our people.... We've just
been living with the horror of not knowing what will happen next."
Pray that those who lost friends and family members will be filled
with the joy that comes from knowing that they will see them again
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).
Pray that the perpetrators of these attacks will repent and come
to faith in Christ. Pray for peace in Nigeria.
***********************************
3. Lives touched through VBS program in the West Bank
(Source: VOM-USA)
Pastor Stephen Khoury, a VOM partner, successfully completed a
summer VBS program in the Bethlehem suburb of Shepherd's Field,
despite opposition from neighbours and local authorities. On the
first day of the VBS, Stephen was accosted by a neighbourhood
woman and her two sons, but the Holy Spirit enabled Stephen to
respond wisely and to calm the woman. Over the course of the
five-day event, the leaders' car tires were slashed and the
building and grounds of the youth centre were vandalized. But
Stephen and the other Christian workers were encouraged. "We had
more than 78 kids come, and more than 25 kids from different
religions received Christ," Stephen said. "Lives were changed
forever." As a result of their VBS success, a new outreach meeting
will be held each Friday at the centre.
Pray for those conducting outreach through the Shepherd's Field
centre. Pray that they will not falter in sharing the message of
Christ. Pray that the kids who accepted the gospel will grow in
their faith each day. Pray that many more in the West Bank will
hear the Good News and turn to Jesus.
***********************************
4. Orphans under pressure in Laos
(Source: VOM-USA)
Eleven orphans in northern Laos are currently facing pressure from
the principal of their orphanage to stop attending church. If they
do not obey, the children may have to leave the orphanage.
After attending a local church and becoming a Christian, one of
the orphans shared the gospel with his peers. Soon, 10 other
orphans turned to Christ and began regularly attending church.
When the principal heard of the conversions, he told the children
multiple times to stop attending church. After pressuring the
children with no results, the principal called the group to his
office on August 19. He told them they must stop attending church
or face the consequences. Seven of the orphans promised they would
stop attending church, but none of them have renounced their
faith. The remaining four orphans continue to attend church and
refuse to bend under the pressure.
Please pray that God will protect these orphans, who depend
entirely on government support. Pray that their example of
steadfast faith will soften the hearts of those around them. Pray
that these orphans will be upheld in prayer by the Christian
community in Laos and around the world.