The Persecution & Prayer Alert

The Persecution & Prayer Alert

The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada

http://www.persecution.net

Thursday, June 23, 2011

“The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying.

He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and
prayerless religion.

He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we
pray.”

– Samuel Chadwick

Sign up now to receive our free Monthly Newsletter at

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

.

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In this week’s edition: reports from Indonesia, Iran, Laos and
Pakistan

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Dear VOM supporters,

With Canada’s postal delivery service currently suspended, we wish to
inform you of the other options available to financially support
persecuted Christians around the world.

- Visit us in person or contact us by phone or email during our office
hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

- Safely donate or order resources online at

http://www.persecution.net

.

- Transfer money via email through participating financial
institutions. Kindly contact our office for further information.

Donations and orders will continue to be processed during the postal
suspension and we will mail items as soon as delivery resumes. If you
require immediate service, please contact our office for other
delivery options.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter. May God
bless you!

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1. Mission training school attacked in Indonesia

(Source: VOM-USA)

A mission training school was recently attacked by a mob of Muslims
following a prayer meeting in Jonggol, West Java, Indonesia.
Approximately 85 Muslims rushed into the school and raided each class
and dorm room, removing pictures of Jesus. They told the staff that
the school must be closed. No students were on the premises, as school
was not in session that day. Several police officers and soldiers
accompanied the mob from a nearby military base and neighbours did not
recognize them as locals. The school, which was established in 1999
with the purpose of training evangelists in Indonesia, has reportedly
always maintained a good relationship with its neighbours. At last
report, mission leaders said that they were attempting to follow up on
the incident in the hopes of helping to prevent further violence. The
leaders also urged Indonesian Christians not to retaliate, but to
remain calm and to pray.

Pray that God will touch the hearts of the attackers, leading them to
repent and recognize Christ as Lord. Pray that a spirit of trust and
peace will govern the hearts of Indonesian Christians and guard them
against fear. Pray that Christians in Indonesia will be a bold
testimony of Christ’s love to those around them.

To learn more about the trials facing Indonesia’s Christians, go to

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

.

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2. Iranian Christian held in solitary confinement

(Sources: Release International, Mohabat News)

Friends and family of a detained Iranian Christian are calling for
clarification of his case more than five months after he was sent to
Tehran’s notoriously brutal Evin prison. Farshid Fathi (32) was one of
several believers detained by government security officials in
December 2010 during a series of raids on Christians’ homes in Tehran
(see http://www.persecution.net/ir-2011-02-17.htm
for more). He has endured months of solitary confinement even though
no court orders or instructions have been issued in his case.
Interrogators have reportedly used psychological torture in attempts
to force Farshid to reveal details of Christian contacts. Farshid’s
wife and two young children — Rosana and Barbod — have been allowed
to speak to him only once a week. Farshid’s family was forced to sell
his father-in-law’s home in order to survive financially and have not
been able to pay the bail to secure his release.

Pray that God will strengthen and console Farshid as he suffers for
his faith. Pray that his family will trust in the Lord for provision
and comfort. Pray that the steadfast faith of Iranian believers will
encourage other Christians in the country who are suffering
persecution. Pray that the Word of the Lord will continue to go forth
in Iran and that many will come to embrace Him as Lord.

To learn more about the suffering of Iranian Christians, go to

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

.

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3. Missionary charged with human trafficking in Laos

(Source: VOM-USA)

A missionary to youth in Laos was recently charged with human
trafficking, an offense that carries a hefty fine and a prison
sentence of five to 50 years. Brother K was arrested and charged with
human trafficking in May after he went to a police station to seek the
release of 24 young people. The youths had been detained while
travelling to a Christian training conference, where Brother K was
serving as a leader. Brother K denied involvement in human trafficking
and invited the officers to visit the conference centre to see what
the students were being taught. Taken aback by his boldness and
concerned that the offense would become known as a persecution case,
police released the 24 students but detained Brother K. After bail was
set, Brother K bargained to reduce the amount and police agreed on a
sum equal to three months’ wages. The youth later held their training
session at a hastily convened new location.

Thank God for His protection of the students and for the boldness of
their leader. Pray that Brother K will continue to persevere in the
faith. Pray that Christian youth in Laos will continue to passionately
share the gospel with their neighbours. Pray that freedom of religion
will truly become a reality in Laos. You can post a prayer of
encouragement for Brother K and the Christian youth in Laos on our
Persecuted Church Prayer Wall at http://www.persecution.net/prayerwall
.

You can learn more about the mistreatment of Christians in Laos at

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

.

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4. Update on imprisoned Pakistani Christian

(Source: VOM-USA)

The Voice of the Martyrs was recently able to visit with the family of
Imran Masih, a Pakistani Christian man who has been imprisoned since
early 2010 on charges of blasphemy (see

http://www.persecution.net/pk-2010-01-21.htm

for more). Imran Masih’s family said that he is in good health and
that they are able to visit with him once a week. The visits are
limited to 25 minutes, however, and they are only able to sit behind a
window and speak with him by intercom. Imran is only allowed to leave
his cell twice a day for a head count. His windowless, cement cell is
26 x 20 feet with two small vents and can reach brutally hot
temperatures in the summer.

Pray that Imran will be acquitted and released. Pray that he will know
the presence and encouraging comfort of Jesus in prison. Pray that his
family will continue to rely on the care of the Lord. Pray that the
blasphemy laws will be abolished in Pakistan.

To find out more about the persecution Christians face in Pakistan, go
to http://www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm
. The August edition of the Voice of the Martyrs newsletter features
testimonies of Pakistani Christians serving the Lord with faithful
perseverance. You can subscribe to this timely and powerful resource
today at http://www.persecution.net/nlorder.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