The Persecution & Prayer Alert

The Persecution & Prayer Alert

The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada

http://www.persecution.net

Thursday, September 23, 2010

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 Iran, Pakistan, China, Eritrea
and Indonesia.

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1. Nine believers arrested in Iran

Nine believers were recently arrested on the charge of carrying out
journalism just outside Hamedan, Iran, according to a broadcast on
Iranian State television. Two of the arrested were reportedly
supported by organizations based outside the country, in particular
the United States and Great Britain, but their nationalities are
unknown. The other seven detained were reportedly cooperating with
“Christian-Zionist organizations” — a term used in Iranian government
culture for evangelical Christians who are benefiting from having
access to a number of networks and TV satellite programs for
evangelism. It is reportedly the first time in three decades that the
State TV has broadcast news about the arrest of a group of Christians.
(Source: Farsi Christian News Network)

Pray for the release of these believers. Pray that God will equip them
to share the truth for which they suffer, even in prison. Pray that
increased persecution in Iran will result in increased boldness among
Christians (Acts 4:29-31).

For more on the suffering of Iranian Christians, visit

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

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2. Church attacked by militant Muslims in Pakistan

On September 18, the Nasri Pentecostal Church in Shah Latif Town,
Karachi, Pakistan was attacked and vandalized by militants angered
over a threat to burn Qur’ans in the United States earlier this month.
“The church gates were open and the locks broken. The attackers broke
open a cupboard and vandalized religious items at around midnight,”
said Pastor Peter Shahzad. Nine copies of the Bible, three hymn books
and three wooden crosses were found burned, and a drum was damaged. It
was the second church attack within a week as countrywide protests
continue against American Pastor Terry Jones, who withdrew his threat
to burn copies of the Islamic holy book on the anniversary of the 9/11
attacks (see http://www.persecution.net/dove.htm
for more information). (Source: Union of Catholic Asian News)

Pray that members of this church will act in a Christ-like manner
towards the perpetrators of this attack, committing them to the Lord
in prayer. Pray that their hearts and minds will be governed by a
spirit of trust in the Lord, not fear. Pray for God’s peace in
Pakistan, where many Christians continue to live amid daily threat of
attacks by those opposed to their faith in Jesus.

For more on the persecution of Pakistani Christians, go to

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

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3. Pastor detained at trial for Chinese house church leaders

The court proceedings for the trial of Liu Yunhua and Gao Jianli, two
Chinese Christians imprisoned in Xuchang, Henan province, began on
September 20. The outcome of the proceedings is not yet known. It was
reported, however, that several believers who had come to witness the
event were detained, including the previously imprisoned Pastor “Bike”
Zhang Mingxuan and his wife (for more about the trials Pastor “Bike”
has faced from authorities see

http://www.persecution.net/cn-2009-10-14.htm

). Pastor Zhang and his wife were released a few hours later. Other
local Christians, including the son of the defendant Liu Yunhua, were
detained by authorities on their way home from the trial. These
believers remained detained at last report. (Source: ChinaAid)

Pray for the release of the detained believers. Pray for patience of
heart and strength of faith for Liu and Gao as they face opposition.
Ask God to continue to equip and embolden Pastor Zhang in his
ministry.

For more information on the opposition facing Christians in China,
visit http://www.persecution.net/china.htm
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4. Update: Eritrean pastor released

A prominent Eritrean pastor, whose name is being withheld for security
reasons, has been released from prison after over five years in
captivity. The pastor has reportedly been safely relocated to another
country and was in hospital at last report. Said one Eritrean
Christian on the news, “We thank God for the release of  pastor
from prison, and pray that he will now get the proper medical
attention in Kenya. We also pray for the release of other Christians
imprisoned for their faith in Christ.”

Praise the Lord for the release of this faithful brother! Please
continue to keep him and his family in your prayers. You can post a
prayer for him and his family on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall at

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

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For information on the treatment of Christians in Eritrea, go to

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

. For video reports on the challenges Eritrean Christians are facing,
please visit http://www.tinyurl.com/26v9ko2
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5. Update: Decree prohibiting church’s activities revoked in Bekasi,
Indonesia

After months of conflict and legal battles, the State Administrative
Court in Bandung, Indonesia has revoked the December 31, 2009 decree
prohibiting the Christian activities of Batak Christian Protestant
Filadelfia Church in Jejalan village, Bekasi. The ruling decreed that
the regent of Bekasi should issue a permit for the church to establish
a place of worship. The church has faced severe opposition in recent
months, including recent violence in which two members were injured
(see http://www.persecution.net/id-2010-09-16.htm
for more information).

Since 2008, the church members have sought permission for a place of
worship from Bekasi Regent H. Sa’duddin. According to church leaders,
Sa’duddin declined their request following pressure from a small group
of Islamists called the Forum Islamic Ummah Jejalen Raya Bekasi. The
church was temporarily closed for worship shortly afterwards on
January 12, 2010. As a result, the church had been holding services on
a strip of roadside land in front of the temporary site, using
umbrellas to protect them from the intense heat of the sun and from
sudden rainstorms. Reverend Palti Panjaitan has shared that he is
happy that the church has found at last fair authorities who base
their decisions on the rule of law. (Source: Compass Direct)

Thank the Lord that officials acted fairly in this situation. Pray
that other such justice will reign in instances of harassment and
opposition against Indonesian Christians. Pray that Christ will equip
Indonesian believers to follow His example of faithfulness amid
persecution (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

For more on the persecuted Church in Indonesia, go to

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

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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

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