Prayer Requests

Please Pray for these Requests:

1. Churches and Convents Bombed in Iraq

Four churches and three convents were damaged in coordinated bombings in Iraq on January 6, a day on which many Iraqi Christians celebrate either the Feast of Epiphany or Christmas Eve.

According to numerous reports, the blasts occurred within five minutes of each other at approximately 11:00 a.m. and involved mortar shells, explosive devices and car bombs. In Baghdad, the St. George Chaldean Church in Ghadir quarter, a Chaldean convent in the Zaafaraniya quarter and a Greek-Melkite parish were attacked. In Mosul, the St. Paul Chaldean Church and the House of the Holy Spirit, a Chaldean convent, were simultaneously bombed. A Dominican convent in Nineveh was also attacked and an Ancient Assyrian Church in the al-Nur district was damaged when a parked car blew up outside the building. At least six people were injured, one of them seriously, in the explosions.

Pray for Iraqi Christians as they deal with the effects of this attack. Pray for healing for those injured. Ask God to enable Iraqi Christians to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer as they suffer for Him (Romans 12:12).

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Iraq, go to www.persecution.net/country/iraq.htm.
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2. Chinese Church Leaders Face Criminal Detention

Two highly-respected house church leaders face criminal detention following a raid on a church service in Jiuquan City, Gansu Province on December 20, according to a January 8 report from China Aid Association. Su Dean and Tian Min-ge were arrested while conducting a service along with a co-worker, Wang Hongliang. The three leaders were arraigned on charges of "gathering in an illegal assembly under the guise of religion." Wang was released after fifteen days, but Tian and Su's penalties were elevated to criminal detention on January 5. Seventy-one-year-old Tian Min-ge (also known as Tian Jian), is being held at the Fangcheng County Public Security Bureau in Henan.

Pray for strength for Tian and Su, as they serve their Lord in prison. Pray that they will be released soon. Pray for Christians in China as they continue to minister for the Lord despite the on-going oppression that they face. Pray that the recent commitments to increased religious liberty by the Chinese Communist Politburo will be more than empty promises.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, go to www.persecution.net/country/china.htm.
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3. Believers Attacked During Prayer Meeting in Rajasthan, India

Hindu activists attacked a group of Christian families while they were conducting a prayer meeting in a believer's home in Udaipur, Rajasthan at approximately 9:00 p.m. on January 6. According to a January 8 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India, the militants surrounded the house and then barged into the home and beat those present, injuring several people.

Pray that these Christians will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). Pray for healing for those injured. Pray that the faithfulness of Indian Christians will be a light that draws others to Christ.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to www.persecution.net/country/india.htm. Video reports on India are available on VOMC's main website, www.persecution.net, on our multimedia website, www.persecution.tv, and on our YouTube and Facebook pages.
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4. Islamic Scholars Call for Crackdown on Christians in Algeria and Afghanistan

Christians came under fire in Algeria and Afghanistan in recent weeks by Islamic scholars who have called for government crackdowns on Christian activity in the countries.

In Afghanistan, members of the Afghanistan Islamic Council warned President Hamid Karzai not to allow foreign missions into the country, especially to the impoverished areas. The council claimed that missionaries in Kabul and in the provinces were forcibly converting Muslims, enticing them by giving them Bibles and promising to send them abroad. The Islamic scholars warned of serious consequences if the government did not stop Christians from preaching and evangelizing.

In Algeria, the head of the Algerian Association of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Al-Shayban, called on officials to counter Christian missionary campaigns, claiming they had "reached the point of aggressions against Algerians." According to the Arabic TV station, "Al Arabiya," Shayban called for the crackdown under the religious practice law for non-Muslims, claiming that Christians in tribal villages give people money and university scholarships for converting to Christianity and that the Protestant church rewards its clergy for every Muslim that is converted.

Ask God to thwart the attempts of those who seek to hinder His work in Afghanistan and Algeria. Pray that His servants in these countries will be emboldened to carry on their service to Christ wherever God leads them. Pray that those who accuse Christians of forcible conversion will see that that the Gospel message is one of a free gift, not coercion (Ephesians 2:8-9).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in these countries, go to www.persecution.net/country/afghanistan.htm and www.persecution.net/country/algeria.htm.
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5. Chinese Christian Bookstore Owner Released

Shi Weihan, a Christian bookstore owner who was detained in late November on charges of "illegally" printing and distributing Christian literature (see www.persecution.net/news/china189.html for more details), was released on bail on January 4 in China. According to a January 7 report from China Aid Association (CAA), two dozen others who were detained on charges associated with his case were also released unconditionally. Weihan is reportedly in relatively good health.

Chinese officials decided against a formal trial for Weihan, dismissing all charges against him due to "insufficient evidence." It is evident that international pressure was instrumental in his release. "The Chinese government has made a positive step in the right direction regarding this case," said CAA President Bob Fu. "This is a clear victory of rule of law and international intervention."

Praise God for Shi Weihan's release. Pray for other Chinese believers still in detention for their Christian activities.
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6. Raise a Voice by Becoming a VOMC Ambassador

Want to raise a voice for the persecuted in 2008? Become a VOMC Ambassador and bring awareness and concern for the Suffering Church to your own church and community. We will provide you with the training and resources you need to share the message of our brothers and sisters in chains in a professional and informed way. To find out more, give Malcolm a call at 1-888-29-VOICE (298-6423) or use our online contact form at www.persecution.net/contact.htm.
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7. In This Week's VOMC Weblog (www.persecution.net/weblog.htm)

A variety of questions and issues have been discussed on our weblog this week. VOMC’s C.E.O. Glenn Penner highlights a Christianity Today interview with the patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Turkey that raises the question "Has Justice Been Delayed for the Armenians in the Name of Security?" He also identifies five "Hindrances to Prayer" and tells "The Tale of Two Drivers" to examine how we react when the Holy Spirit tries to get our attention.

To make comments on these and previous VOMC weblogs, go to persecutedchurch.blogspot.com.
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The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 117, Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario L5G 4L5)
Tel. (905) 670.9721. Website: www.persecution.net
Editor: Glenn Penner
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