VOM-USA Prayer Update for October 2, 2009

Thank you for praying for persecuted Christians around the world.

Let the fires go out in the boiler room of the church and the place will still look smart and clean, but it will be cold. The Prayer Room is the boiler room for its spiritual life. - Leonard Ravenhill

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. - Ephesians 6:18


On Wed. Sep 30 2009 at 08:56 AM Moderator wrote:
PAKISTAN - Woman encouraged in Prison – VOM contacts

On Sept. 16, The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Pakistan reported that 20-year-old Sandul Bibi’s faith is strong despite being held in prison for 11 months. She is encouraged by reading the Bible and a copy of Tortured for Christ. “In the month of March, Sandul…studied (Tortured for Christ). She is really encouraged. Last month when she traveled for Faisalabad for court hearing, secretly she gave that book to her father Gull Sheer and said to him, ‘Please read it in jail. This is a unique book,’” VOM contacts said. When Sandul’s family visited her in prison during the recent Muslim holiday, Ramadan, she told them about fellow prisoners trying to pressure her to celebrate the Islamic holiday which forces Muslims to fast from sun up to sundown. “I am Christian I pray to Jesus Christ why should I say prayers with you,” she told them. “I will not do that.” Even though Sandul has faced some challenges in prison, she told her family her faith in Christ is strong. “When I feel lonely, I talk with God during the prayers, in the presence of God I feel strengthened and peace in mind. I am happy that this way. God fulfils his words that “I am with you,” Sandul said.

Romans 15:4-6

SOMALIA - Christian transporting Bibles killed – Compass Direct News

On Sept. 15, 69-year-old Omar Khalife, a Somali Christian, was shot dead by members of al-Shabaab, a Muslim extremist group, when Bibles were found in his possession, according to Compass Direct News. At approximately 10:30 a.m., a bus transporting Omar Khalife was stopped by extremists at a checkpoint near the city of Merca. When the extremists discovered 25 Somali Bibles in one of the bags Khalife was delivering to an underground fellowship group they demanded to know who owned them. When the passengers did not disclose the owner, they used photos in the bag to determine the owner. When they realized the photos resembled Khalife, they asked him if the Bibles were his. When he did not respond the extremists shot and killed him. They transported Khalife's body and the Bibles to Merca and displayed them as a warning to others. Later that day, a member of the extremist group reported Khalife's death on a local radio program. Khalife, who had been a Christian for 45 years, was active in sharing the gospel and baptizing Christian converts from Islam. He is mourned by his wife and seven children. Praise God for the life and testimony of Omar Khalife. In recent months, Khalife is the latest believer killed by the Muslim extremist group al-Shabaab. Ask God to protect and encourage believers who courageously continue to stand for Him in the midst of danger. Pray for peace in war-torn Somalia.

Psalm 68: 1-5

CHINA – Prominent pastor detained by officials – China Aid Association

On Sept. 17, Pastor Hua Huiqi was arrested by Chinese authorities in Fengtai District, Beijing, according to China Aid Association. Pastor Hua reportedly called his wife, Ju Mei, and told her he had been forced into a Public Security Bureau (PSB) vehicle while on his way to a dinner meeting. Less than half-an-hour later, Hua phoned his wife again and told her that the police had taken him to an unknown location. The phone line then went dead. Meanwhile, on September 22, Pastor Hua was escorted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital by five PSB officials to visit with his brother, Hua Huilin who is seriously ill. The Hua family's request for him to visit his brother had previously been denied. His elderly mother, Shuang Shuying, who was released from prison a few months ago, is also seriously ill and Hua has been denied requests to visit her. Pray for this family that has endured a lot for the sake of Christ. Ask God for Hua’s release and for healing for his brother and mother. Pray believers in China will remain faithful.

Psalm 100: 1-5