
I am a big supporter of The Voice of the Martyrs and I want to remember our persecuted brethren everyday which was the purpose of IDOP. I keep up with things that are going on with the persecuted through many of their outlets: the website, Prayer Update Emails, Twitter, the Blog and Facebook.
Since I receive their Prayer Updates on Friday I have decided I want to have a VOM Friday Prayer Day. I will be sharing the week’s prayer requests for you to remember in your prayers, but if you would like to receive the updates in your inbox, you can sign up at VOMGroups.
Every thing we do for the persecuted, whether its big or small, is a tremendous encouragement not only for the persecuted, but also for Christians everywhere. It shows we care and want to help! That we are Remembering The Persecuted. So… how can you help the persecuted? Please join with me in prayer first and foremost, and then take a look at all the other ways you can help!
This week’s prayer updates are:
TURKEY- Pray for Turkey on April 18
The Turkish church has set aside April 18 as the International Day of Prayer for Turkey. VOM encourages you to pray for believers in Turkey who are risking their lives for Christ. Especially remember the families of Necati Aydin, Tilman Geske and Ugur Yuksel who were martyred on April 18, 2007 in Malatya, Turkey.
~Ask God to continue encouraging their families and for believers in Turkey to remain faithful and courageous despite persecution.~
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong, be bold, don’t be afraid or frightened of them, for ADONAI your God is going with you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
CHINA – Pastor Bike Arrested – China Aid Association
On March 21, Chinese police arrested Pastor “Bike” Zhang Mingxuan, leader of the Chinese House Church Alliance, in Yanjiao town, Hebei province, according to China Aid Association. Pastor Zhang was staying at the home of a local Christian when more than a dozen police officers arrived. The authorities
took Pastor Zhang to the local police station where he was searched, interrogated and threatened with death. Bank cards and three cell phones were confiscated. Three hours later, Pastor Zhang was handed over to Public Security Bureau officials who questioned him about his recent travels. Pastor Zhang’s belongings were eventually returned, except the debit card for an account containing 150,000 Yuan (US$1,499). He was released later that day.
~Pray for strength and protection for Pastor Zhang. Pray that he and other believers facing trials for their faith will find comfort in the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good.~
1 Peter 2:20-21
For what credit is there in bearing up under a beating you deserve for doing something wrong? But if you bear up under punishment, even though you have done what is right, God looks on it with favor.
Indeed, this is what you were called to; because the Messiah too suffered, on your behalf, leaving an example so that you should follow in his steps.
AZERBAIJAN – Home Raided and Believers Fined – Form 18 News
On March 25, a Christian’s home was raided by the local official of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations in Agdash, Azerbaijan, according to Forum 18 News. Twelve children were gathered at Vera Zhuchaeva’s home, with their parents’ permission, to listen to Bible stories when authorities entered. They forced the children into one room, questioned them and recorded their names. The children were then released to their parents. Police also confiscated 508 books and 40 films from the house. Three believers who were visiting from the capital city of Baku were taken to a police station and questioned for four hours. When they went to the station the next day to pick up their identification documents, they were fined for “illegally spreading Christianity and other faiths.”
~Pray that Christian parents will demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Christ and continue to teach their children about the Lord. Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Azerbaijan.~
Deuteronomy 11:18-20
Therefore, you are to store up these words of mine in your heart and in all your being; tie them on your hand as a sign; put them at the front of a headband around your forehead; teach them carefully to your children, talking about them when you sit at home, when you are traveling on the road, when you lie down and when you get up; and write them on the door-frames of your house and on your gates –
INDIA – Church Burned, Pastor Attacked – VOM Sources
On March 24, the Jesus Prayer House church building in the village of Kuruvakalva, Andhra Pradesh, was burned by Hindu extremists. Bibles, hymnals and furniture, as well as the roof the church, were destroyed. Meanwhile on April 5, Pastor Yadal was attacked in the village of Vadarpalaya, Karnataka. Police officers stopped Pastor Yadal while he was on his way to preach at the House of Salvation church. An officer beat the pastor and accused him of forcibly converting Hindus. Hindu extremists then called two local pastors to the scene and warned them to stop holding church services. The extremists also went to two other churches in the same village and warned them against gathering for worship.
~Pray for strength and wisdom for the victims of these attacks. Ask the Lord to embolden Indian Christians to continue serving Him and worshipping together despite pressure.~
1 Peter 5:10-11
You will have to suffer only a little while; after that, God, who is full of grace, the one who called you to his eternal glory in union with the Messiah, will himself restore, establish and strengthen you and make you firm.
To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
Make sure to stop by the Persecution Blog too for other updates on the
persecuted. Click on the banner to link over! Some of their recent articles are:
EGYPT: Coptic Church Issues First Conversion Certificate
Sudan: Converts From Islam Struggle To Survive
TURKEY: Local Officials Role Emerges In Malatya Murders
Saudi Arabia – Saudi blogger released from Prison
Free Gao Update #5
There is a New Prisoner for You to Encourage by Writing Today. It only takes a few minutes to write a letter of encouragement to the persecuted and translate it in their language and mail it to them! They are so blessed by the letters!
Thank you for joining with me in remembering our persecuted brothers and sisters in other countries!
Love, Prayers and Blessings,

©AmandaDixon2009
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