VOM-USA Prayer Update for April 30, 2010

"Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness." - Andrew Murray

"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:18


On Thu. Apr 29 2010 at 02:48 PM Moderator wrote:
INDIA — Christians Attacked by Hindu Extremists — VOM Contacts

On April 17, Hindu extremists attacked a group of Christians at a prayer meeting in Madhya Pradesh, India, causing the death of a 25-year-old man and severely injuring three other believers. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, Hindu radicals disrupted the meeting of more than 400 Christians and began destroying Bibles and other property. They attacked the Christians with sticks and iron rods, accusing them of forcible conversions. During the attack, Amit Gilbert, a master of divinity student, fell into an open well, hit his head on the well’s outer wall and drowned. One of the other injured Christians sustained a broken back and at last report remained in serious condition. Pray for those mourning the loss of Amit, and pray that the three injured Christians will fully recover. Pray that Christians in Madhya Pradesh will exemplify the love of Christ through love and prayer for those who persecute them.

Matthew 5:43–48

NIGERIA — Pastor and Wife Killed — Compass Direct News

On April 13, a pastor and his wife in Boto village, Bauchi state, Nigeria, were abducted and killed by suspected Islamic extremists, according to Compass Direct News. Pastor Ishaku Kadah and his wife, Selina, were reportedly abducted from the headquarters of their church, which was also their home. Their burned bodies were discovered hours after their abduction. Extremists previously set fire to their church building in January, days after Christians displaced by violence in Plateau state had taken refuge at the church, according to Compass. “Police have reportedly arrested two suspects [in the murders] and have launched a manhunt for several other accomplices,” Compass said. The brutal killings of Pastor Ishaku and his wife are the latest in a series of violent attacks against Christians in northern Nigeria. In January and March, Christians and Muslims rioted in several villages outside the city of Jos. Churches and homes were burned, and many Christians and Muslims were killed. Pray that God will comfort those who mourn for Pastor Ishaku and his wife, and pray that their murderers will be brought to justice. Pray that Nigerian Christians will be committed to sharing the gospel and will strive for peace and reconciliation rather than seeking revenge.

Philippians 4:7

IRAN — Christian Teen Arrested — Farsi Christian News Network

On April 11, officers from the Ministry of Information arrested 19-year-old Daniel Shahri, a Christian in Isfahan, Iran, according to Farsi Christian News. Undercover officers went to Daniel’s home under the pretense of delivering a letter. When the door was opened, officers stormed inside the house. Daniel was not at home, so the officers confiscated personal belongings including his computer, DVD player, DVDs, CDs, cell phone and books. The officers then forced Daniel’s sister to call him and ask him to come home. When he arrived, the officers arrested him and took him to an unknown location. Three days later, Daniel was finally allowed to contact his parents, who are blind and have physical disabilities. Daniel told his parents he was being held at Dastgard prison on charges of “publishing falsities and insults to the Muslim faith.”
Pray for Daniel’s health and safety. Pray that he will be released soon and that all charges will be dropped. Pray that increased persecution in Iran will result in increased boldness among believers.

Acts 4:29–31