VOM-USA Prayer Update for October 9, 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 Tue. Oct 06 2009 at 10:44 AM Moderator wrote:
INDIA—Relief camp bombed in Orissa—VOM Sources


On Sept. 27, four believers were injured when a Christian relief camp in Nandarigi village was bombed, according to VOM contacts. The camp in Orissa state provided temporary housing for Christians who fled anti-Christian violence last year. A Hindu man who reportedly set off the bomb was killed in the attack. Five days before the attack, the suspected bomber threatened Christians at the camp and demanded food and shelter, according to VOM contacts. The man reportedly returned the night of the bombing heavily intoxicated and assaulted two Christian boys while threatening other believers present. The man then slipped and fell, detonating a bomb. Officials have claimed that Maoist extremists were behind the attack, but local Christians maintain that the bombing was planned and carried out by Hindus. The Voice of the Martyrs has provided food, shelter and encouragement to believers in Orissa affected by the anti-Christian violence. Pray for those injured during this attack. Pray that the displaced Christians will continue to look to the Lord as their enduring source of strength, provision and wisdom. Ask God to work in the hearts of Hindu extremists targeting Christians so that they will repent and come to faith in Christ.

Revelation 2:9–11

ETHIOPIA—Christians imprisoned for evangelizing—Compass Direct News


On Sept. 21, an Ethiopian court dismissed an appeal by two Christians accused of using gifts and money to entice people to convert to Christianity, according to Compass Direct News. Temesgen Alemayehu and Tigist Welde Amanuel went to Amhara state in July to plant a church. After a week, several people had become believers through their witness. On July 19, local residents began to question Alemayehu and Amanuel and later attacked them. Amanuel escaped the assailants and fled to a home nearby, where she was kept safe until police arrived. Although Alemayehu was wounded, she was later rescued by police. Following the incident, Alemayehu and Amanuel were arrested because their assailants accused them of insulting their religion. On July 23, they were sentenced to six months in jail. Pray that these believers will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them. Pray for their safety and release from prison.

Matthew 5:43–48

CHINA—Pastor and wife forced to vacate home—China Aid Association


On Sept. 23, the Beijing Public Security Bureau and Religious Affairs officials forced Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and his wife to leave their home, according to the China Aid Association. They are being detained at an undisclosed location in Henan to "preserve stability in the province" for China's National Day celebrations. In the past few months, Pastor Bike, the leader of the Chinese House Church Alliance, has been repeatedly attacked and detained by officials. Chinese authorities have warned Pastor Bike against speaking or communicating with outside sources, especially the foreign media, about his detention. At last report, the couple was still in custody. Ask God to sustain and protect Pastor Zhang and his wife while in detention. Pray for significant and lasting advances in religious freedom in China.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10