Weekly Prayer Updates

Groups: Weekly Prayer Update: Weekly Prayer Updates

Each Friday VOM updates you with prayer requests and news about the persecuted church. Subscribe to this topic and the news will be emailed to you each week.

VOM-USA Prayer Update for January 22, 2010

MALAYSIA — Churches Firebombed — The Associated Press

Seven churches have been attacked in Malaysia following a court decision that allows Christians to use “Allah” when referring to God, according to The Associated Press (AP). The attacks began on Jan. 8 and 9, when four churches were hit with firebombs. On Sunday, Jan. 10, three churches were firebombed. Despite the attacks, thousands of Christians attended services and prayed for unity and an end to the attacks. The attacks followed a Dec. 31 High Court decision overturning a government ban prohibiting non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” in prayers and literature. The court had ruled on a petition by Malaysia's Roman Catholic Church, whose main publication, the Herald, uses the word “Allah” in its Malay-language edition. The government has appealed the verdict. Pray that believers will show grace and love toward the attackers and that their testimonies will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ.

Psalm 91:4

ALGERIA — UPDATE Church Burned — VOM Contacts

On Jan. 10, Muslim extremists set fire to Tafath church in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria, damaging church property, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The Tafath church has been threatened since December, when extremists disrupted a Christmas celebration. “As Christians continued to come for worship to this church despite the increasing intimidation, the Muslim extremists decided to burn the church,” VOM contacts said. A few days before the attack, extremists broke into the church and stole valuable electronic equipment. On Dec. 26, about 20 Muslim extremists tried to prevent members of Tafath church from holding a service. Extremists confronted believers and barred them from entering the building. “This land is the land of Islam! Go pray somewhere else,” some of the protestors reportedly said. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for this congregation and especially their pastor, Mustafa Krierch, and his family. Pray that God will protect these Algerian believers and that their courageous testimony will draw nonbelievers to Christ.

Acts 4:29–31

IRAQ — Elderly Christian Killed — VOM Canada / Asia News

On Jan. 11, Hikmat Sleiman, a 75-year-old Christian man, was shot to death by unknown assailants in Mosul, Iraq, according to VOM Canada and Asia News. Sleiman had just returned home from closing his grocery shop when a group of assailants opened fire, killing him instantly. Local Christians see his murder and a string of other recent attacks against believers as evidence of “ethnic cleansing” designed to force Christians from the area. Some believe Muslim extremists are targeting shopkeepers in an effort to wipe out the Christian community’s economic activity and drive believers from the area. Pray for comfort for those mourning the loss of Hikmat Sleiman. Pray that his attackers will come to know the Lord as their Savior. Pray that Christians in Mosul will be filled with Christ’s peace during in these difficult times.

Romans 8:34–36

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VOM-USA Prayer Update for January 29, 2010

MALAYSIA — Eight Arrested in Connection with Church Attack — VOM Canada / Asia News

Malaysian police have arrested eight people on suspicion of burning the Metro Tabernacle Church in Kuala Lumpur. The attack on Metro Tabernacle was the first in a series of attacks on Christian places of worship, according to Asia News and VOM Canada. Bakri Zinin, chief federal police investigator, said eight people between 21 and 26 years of age “are suspected of being involved in the criminal fire of the Metro Tabernacle Church.” The building, which belongs to the Assembly of God community, is located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. Pray that believers in Malaysia will continue to be courageous and faithful. Ask God to protect and encourage them.

2 Thessalonians 1:3–5

NIGERIA — Christians Killed in Attacks — Compass Direct News

More than 100 Christians have been killed in Jos, Nigeria, since Jan. 17, when violent riots broke out between the Christian and Muslim communities, according to Compass Direct News. Police said the ongoing violence was initially triggered by an attack on worshipers at the St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Nasarawa Gwong, in the Jos North Local Government Area. Church leaders said Muslim youths also attacked buildings belonging to the Christ Apostolic Church, Assemblies of God Church, three branches of the Church of Christ in Nigeria and the Evangelical Church of West Africa. On Jan. 18, authorities imposed a 24-hour curfew. Security forces are trying to control the rioters, while both Christian and Muslim groups continue counting their losses. Hundreds have reportedly been wounded. “We have been witnessing sporadic shootings in the last two days,” said the Rev. Chuwang Avou, secretary of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria. “We see some residents shooting sporadically into the air. We have also seen individuals with machine guns on parade in the state.” Pray for peace and for the protection of believers.

Romans 8:34–36

EGYPT — Attacks on Christians Continue —
Assyrian International News / Voice of America

On Jan.8, Muslim mobs shouting “Allah is great” and “no God except Allah” looted and torched homes, shops and cars owned by Christians in the southern Egyptian towns of Nag Hammadi and Bahjora, according to Assyrian International News and Voice of America. A Coptic Christian, Mary Om Boktor Kyrollos, died from smoke inhalation after her home was set ablaze. According to eyewitnesses, water and electricity were cut off, and when fire officials finally arrived they had empty water tanks. The attack occurred a few days after six Christians and a Muslim security guard were shot to death while leaving a Christmas Eve service. In the days following the church shooting, clashes broke out between Christians, Muslims and police. Pray for peace in these troubled areas of Egypt. Pray that Christians will respond with Christ-like love and forgiveness toward the assailants. Pray for those mourning the loss of loved ones.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10

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VOM-USA Prayer Update for February 5, 2010

INDIA – Pastor’s Left Ear Slashed in Brutal Attack – VOM Contacts

On Oct. 5, Pastor Paul Ninama, returning from a prayer meeting when he was brutally attacked by six Bajrang Dal Hindu extremists. The radicals cut his left ear off after beating him with sticks in Pipal Khota Choti village, in Madhya Pradesh, India. According to VOM contacts the six men called out to the pastor in Hindi saying, “Servant of the Lord, Come here!” They then asked him to sit down and as soon as the pastor sat down, they started hitting him with a stick and with their fists injuring his left hand grievously. They kicked him and did not let him get up off the ground. Then, one of the men took a sharp knife, while the others held the pastor down, and he slashed Pastor Paul’s ear and stabbed him near his ear. During the attack, Pastor Ninama screamed for help and nearby villagers caught one of the attackers. The attacker was arrested, but released two days later on bail. The pastor was admitted to a hospital for 12 days. He continues to suffer from great pain in his ear and the area that was stabbed. Please pray for Pastor Paul’s full recovery and for the safety of his wife and seven children.

Romans 8:34–36

Vietnam – Christian Forced to Recant Faith – Compass Direct News

A Christian couple, Sung Cua Ho and Hang thi Va, from Ho Co village, Vietnam have endured physical abuse and threats since Sung converted to Christianity in November 2009, according to Compass Direct News. On Dec. 1, the couple was arrested and beaten by officials after police earlier incited locals to abuse and stone them and other Christian families. Officials reportedly struck Sung 70 times on his head and back. The believers were fined 8 million dong (US$436) and a pig. Sung's cell phone and motorbike were also confiscated. Meanwhile on Dec. 15, police took the couple to members of their extended family who severely pressured them to deny their Christian faith. When police threatened to beat Sung to death and seize his property, which would leave his family destitute, he signed recantation documents. Sung is scheduled to prove his reconversion on Feb. 13 by offering sacrifices to ancestors. Ask God to equip Sung by His Holy Spirit to remain strong in his faith despite severe pressure and threats. Pray for protection for Sung, Hang and their children, as well as the other Christian families in their community. Pray that Vietnam will respect religious freedom for all its citizens.

Psalms 5:11

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