The Persecution & Prayer Alert

The Persecution & Prayer Alert

The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada

http://www.persecution.net

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 * Early release due to Canada Day falling on
Thursday, July 1

A weekly news and prayer digest on the Persecuted Church.

Follow The Voice of the Martyrs on Twitter at

http://www.twitter.com/vomc

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In this week’s edition: reports from Pakistan, India and North Korea,
with an update from Pakistan.

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1. Christian professor beaten; families forced to flee in Pakistan

On June 14, 25 Muslim students attacked Samuel John, a Christian
professor at Peshawar University College, after he refused their
demands to convert to Islam. Samuel was leaving his home when he was
assaulted. His wife, who ran out to help him, was also beaten. Both
Samuel, who was in critical condition, and his wife were rushed to a
local hospital where they were treated for their injuries. Police have
refused to issue a report on the incident. Muslims are reportedly
still threatening Samuel, telling him, “Leave the university or accept
Islam — if you don’t convert, we will kill your family.” Despite the
risk, Samuel has stated, “I am a Christian, and Jesus Christ is my
Savior — He provides me with everything.”

In Danna village in southern Punjab province, Muslim administrators at
the Government High School recently ordered three Christian students
in the eighth grade — Sunil Masih, Shazia Masih and Nasir Naeem — to
leave the school because they refused to convert to Islam. The order
came after the students’ parents complained about a teacher who was
urging the three to convert. The principal, under pressure from other
teachers, then told the parents to remove their children from the
school. The three families have since fled the area. “The police have
refused to help us. We are helpless here,” said Sunil’s father.
(Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for healing for Samuel and his wife. Ask God to equip this couple
through His grace to demonstrate His love and forgiveness amid great
opposition. Pray for provision and guidance for the families forced to
flee. Pray that these parents will continue to be bold witnesses of
Christ to their children. Pray that Christians in Pakistan will rely
on the Lord’s strength and not on their own (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

For more on the persecution of Pakistani Christians, go to

http://www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm

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2. Two pastors attacked; vehicles burned in India

Two pastors from the Assemblies of God Church denomination were
attacked on June 23 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The pastors –
Shiju Kuriakose (35) and Jayan (30) — had left a prayer meeting at a
fellow believer’s house when a group of unknown people began beating
them with iron rods. Both pastors were badly injured and were admitted
to the hospital.

On June 22, seven vehicles belonging to Jesus With Us Ministries were
burned by suspected Hindu militants in Tamil Nadu. The vehicles were
being used to transport believers to and from Hosur, where a Gospel
meeting was taking place. Hindus had earlier protested against the
meeting and, due to the opposition, the organizers were eventually
forced to change venues. (Source: Global Council of Indian Christians)

Pray for healing for Pastor Shiju and Pastor Jayan. Pray that the Lord
will make them strong to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel
(Ephesians 6:18-20). Pray that Christians in Tamil Nadu will not
become fearful but will trust the Lord in all things.

Go to http://www.persecution.net/india.htm
to find out more about persecution in India.

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3. Gospel balloons launched in North Korea

Since North Korea is so restrictive, one has to be creative in finding
methods of sharing the gospel! The Voice of the Martyrs has been
involved in deploying balloons filled with gospel tracts and
believers’ testimonies to North Korea.

Another balloon launch is scheduled in July. Pray that the literature
successfully gets into the hands of many North Koreans. Pray that the
literature will plant seeds of God’s truth and that many more will
come to know the Lord. Ask God to protect those working to share God’s
Word in North Korea. To post a prayer for North Korea and the gospel
balloons, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall at

http://www.persecution.net/prayerwall

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To learn more about persecution in North Korea, go to

http://www.persecution.net/northkorea.htm

. For more details on this exciting project, sign up to receive the
Special Edition of our newsletter, which is scheduled to hit mailboxes
in the next few weeks. You can subscribe to our free monthly
newsletter at http://www.persecution.net/subscribe.htm
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4. Update: Court hearings continue for detained Pakistani Christian

Asia Bibi (38), a Christian woman arrested for blasphemy in Pakistan’s
Punjab province in June 2009 following a heated discussion about Islam
between her and several Muslim women (go to

http://www.persecution.net/pk-2009-10-21.htm

for more information), faced another court hearing on June 22, 2010.
Once again, her accusers were not present in the court and sources are
hopeful that the negligence of the witnesses will make a positive
impact on Asia’s case. Asia had another court hearing on June 29. At
last report, the outcome of the hearing was not yet known.

Pray that the outcome of this hearing will be positive and the charges
against Asia will be dropped. Pray that she will soon be reunited with
her husband and daughters. Pray that she will continue to look to the
Lord for her strength during this difficult time.

You can learn more about the plight of Pakistani Christians by
visiting http://www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm
. To write a letter of encouragement to Asia Bibi today, please go to

http://bit.ly/ddnDWl

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The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the
Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 608, Streetsville,
Ontario, L5M 2C1)

Tel. (905) 670.9721. Website: http://www.persecution.net

Contacts: Adele Konyndyk & Erin Vandenberg