VOM-USA Prayer Update for May 14, 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. May 13 2010 at 02:08 PM Moderator wrote:
IRAN — Christian Released on Bail — Farsi Christian News Network

On April 24, Vahik Abrahamian, an Armenian Christian, was temporarily released from Evin prison after 53 days in solitary confinement, according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN). Abrahamian and his wife were arrested by undercover officers while returning home from visiting a friend. His wife was released immediately, but Abrahamian was searched and detained. While in prison, he was denied access to a lawyer and was not allowed to speak with his family. Abrahamian finally gained temporary release from prison after paying bail. “The arrest of this Christian man, who is a dual citizen of Iran and the Netherlands, caused great shock and concern among his friends and acquaintances,” FCNN reported. “He had voluntarily returned to Iran to serve his people as a social worker and to demonstrate the love of God to them.” Pray for him and other believers who face persecution in Iran. Pray that Abrahamian’s case will be dismissed, and ask God to move on behalf of Christians in prison who are awaiting court dates in cities like Tehran, Shiraz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Qom, Rasht and Tabriz.

Psalm 91:1–5

IRAQ — Bomb Attack Targets Christian Students — Compass Direct News

On May 2, a bomb attack near Mosul killed one person and injured nearly 160, including at least 50 Christian students, according to Compass Direct News. The attack targeted three buses that transport Christian students from villages east of Mosul to their classes at the University of Mosul. The buses were traveling their daily route, escorted by two military vehicles, when a roadside bomb followed by a car bomb exploded as the buses cleared a checkpoint east of Mosul. The owner of a nearby auto repair shop, Radeef Hashim Mahrook, was killed in a secondary blast as he tried to help the students. More than 1,000 students have dropped out of classes for the rest of the semester as a result of the attack. Pray that God will comfort those mourning the loss of Radeef. Ask God to heal the bodies of the injured students, and pray that this experience will lead them into a closer relationship with Christ. Pray for an end to these attacks against the Christian community in Iraq.

Revelation 2:10

CHINA — Update: Chinese Pastor Released — China Aid Association

Pastor Dou Shaowen was released from prison on April 17, nearly two months before the end of his one-year sentence, according to China Aid Association. Government officials had abolished his house church in Zhengzhou city, Henan province, in December 2008, but Pastor Dou continued to organize religious activities. He was arrested on June 14, 2009, and sentenced to one year of re-education through labor. Pastor Dou reportedly lost 38 pounds while in the re-education camp, where he was forced to work 18 hours a day and sleep in a room with more than 70 other prisoners. Praise God that Pastor Dou has been released early from prison. Pray that God will heal Pastor Dou’s body and that Pastor Dou will remain steadfast in the faith.

1 Peter 5:8–10