Showing posts with label persecuted Christians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label persecuted Christians. Show all posts

Friday, March 15, 2013

Global Effort to Free Pastor Saeed

#SaveSaeed: "The idea is simple. The more people taking about Pastor Saeed and calling for his release means the more international media, governments, and world leaders are willing to put pressure on Iran for his release. It is the same idea that led to the release of Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Iran through Tweet for Youcef." -ACLJ





According to a story by Matthew Clark for the ACLJ, award-winning musicians, Christian radio stations, and concerned citizens all across America and around the world are trying to get #SaveSaeed trending on Twitter and encourage people to sign the petition at  www.SaveSaeed.org.
ACLJ said Ricky Skaggs, TobyMac, Bart Millard (Mercy Me), Kevin Max (DC Talk, Audio Adrenaline), Steven Curtis Chapman, Skillet, Rhett Walker Band, Air1 Radio, and thousands of others are helping to #SaveSaeed.
ACLJ said this is an easy way to help save the life of a persecuted pastor.
The ACLJ said, "Tweet the hashtag #SaveSaeed and urge your followers to sign the petition at www.SaveSaeed.org. Share this blog with your friends on Facebook to encourage them to join this effort."
ACLJ said the advice is simple and can make an enormous difference in the life of a man whose only "crime" is choosing to follow Christ in an oppressive Islamic regime.
ACLJ concluded, "Tweet to #SaveSaeed today."

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

FREE Download: God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew


In 1955, Brother Andrew smuggled his first Bibles into restricted Eastern Europe. Since then, he and his ministry, Open Doors International, have helped deliver millions of Bibles to Christians in the most high-risk places all over the world.

As Brother Andrew approached the inspection checkpoints, he would pray that the guards would simply not see the Bibles he was carrying - and they never did. In God's Smuggler, you will hear Brother Andrew's amazing stories of how, again and again, God aided his mission to bring the Bible into closed countries. Simon Vance provides compelling narration for this story; christianaudio reviewers said they "couldn't stop listening" to this audiobook.

As a boy he dreamed of being a spy - undercover behind enemy lines. As a man he found himself undercover for God. Brother Andrew was his name, and for decades his life story, recounted in God's Smuggler, has awed and inspired millions. This bestseller tells of the young Dutch factory worker's incredible efforts to transport Bibles across closed borders - and the miraculous ways in which God provided for him every step of the way. 

This story is reintroduced in a 35th anniversary edition with a new foreword and afterword. Brother Andrew's story remains as inspiring today as it was thirty-five years ago, and with this new release it will motivate a new generation to risk everything to follow God's call.




Monday, February 4, 2013

The Voice of the Martyrs - Prayer Updates


vom groups
weekly prayer updates
"Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness." - Andrew Murray

"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:18

The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
Tanzania—Christian Teen Released from Prison
Source: VOM Sources
John 14:6
Eighteen-year-old Eva Abdallah, who spent the past year in prison on blasphemy charges, has been released from prison after the High Court of Tanzania overturned her conviction. Eva was arrested in January 2012 when local Muslims in her home state of Bagamoyo accused her of urinating on a Quran, and in July she was sentenced to two years in prison. But on Jan. 9, 2013, the High Court acquitted her of the charges and ordered her release. Eva was attending a Bible school and living with a pastor’s family when she was arrested. Her parents disowned her when she became a believer as a young teen. Praise God for her release, and pray that she will find a safe place to live. Pray that those who accused her will come to know Jesus Christ.
Colombia—Rebels Kill Widow of Murdered Evangelist
Source: World Watch Monitor
Romans 10:17
Four months ago, National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas demanded that Alicia Castilla leave her home in Arauca, in northeastern Colombia. On the evening of Jan. 7, during a visit from the family’s pastor, assassins entered her home and shot her in front of her three children and her father. She died immediately. The guerrillas had killed Alicia’s husband, a lay-minister, two years earlier. Pray for Christians in Colombia, who face daily threats from rebel groups opposed to the spread of Christianity.
Iran—Armenian Pastor Conditionally Released
Source: Mohobat News
Ephesians 6:16
After spending 15 days in Iran’s Evin Prison, Rev. Vruir Avanessian was conditionally released after posting about $60,000 of his personal property as bail. The pastor was released due to serious health problems and the need for special medical care, but he was ordered to await a court summons. So far, authorities have given no reason for his arrest, and no charges have been filed. Vruir, an Armenian Christian pastor, and several other Christians were arrested by secret police from the Ministry of Information while gathered for a Christmas celebration. About 50 men and women were detained for several hours and ordered to provide their full name, address, cellphone number and other personal information, such as Facebook and e-mail account IDs and passwords. While in prison, Vruir was transported to the hospital for treatment of his diabetes, heart disease and kidney failure, and he returned to the hospital prior to his release. Pray for Vruir as he struggles to maintain his health while awaiting a court summons.
Philippines—VOM Project
Pray for the VOM team in the Philippines, who are distributing 1,000 copies of Hearts of Fire in a local language. The books will be distributed to pastors, leaders and other Christians living in Muslim-dominated areas.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Voice of the Martyrs - Prayer Update


"Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness." - Andrew Murray


"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, 

being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:18 


Egypt--Latest Egyptian Female Kidnap Victim is Fourteen
Sources: World Evangelical Alliance, VOM Contacts
Psalm 77:1-3
Sarah Abdelmalek, 14, is the latest victim of a common practice of kidnapping Coptic Christian girls and forcing them to marry their Muslim kidnappers. Sarah was last seen Sept. 30, 2012, entering a paper shop near her school. A VOM worker says that at least 24 girls have been kidnapped recently, ranging in age from 14 to 21 years old. Sarah is the youngest. Even if Sarah wanted to marry voluntarily, under Egyptian law, she would have to wait until she turned 18. 


After Sarah's father filed a missing persons report, he received a phone call telling him he would never see his daughter again. According to a school friend, the 27-year-old paper shop owner, a member of an extremist Sunni Muslim group called the Salafists, had been pursuing Sarah for a while. On Oct. 28, a Salafist organization issued a statement saying that Sarah converted to Islam freely and married a Muslim man. Fundamentalist Muslims are encouraged to kidnap Christian girls and marry them as part of a strategy to limit and intimidate the Christian population in Egypt. The kidnappers insist that the girls convert to Islam of their own will, ensuring that the girls will not be returned to their families. Pray for comfort for this family, and pray that the government will defend the Copts in Egypt.


North Korea--Student Realizes Need to Forgive North Korea
Source: VOM Contacts
Colossians 2:12-14
A lesson on forgiveness showed a North Korean Christian that she needed to forgive Kim Il-Sung and the North Korean government. "KES" is a North Korean participating in a discipleship and training program in South Korea. The students learn Christian principles, how to share their faith and how to adapt to South Korean culture. In a recent class, a trainer taught on forgiveness and had the students role-play the parable of the unforgiving servant. 

Later, KES shared that she was angry with Kim Il-Sung and the North Korean government for the lies they told. She realized she needed to forgive them, because God forgave her. She said she couldn't do it without God's help. Pray for KES and other North Koreans in this school.

Iran--Cyber Police Seek Christian Blogger
Source: Mohobat News
Psalm 1:1-2 

Cyber police raided the home of a Christian blogger in Gorgan for the second time recently. Police appeared at the residence of Alireza Ebrahimi, a convert to Christianity, with a warrant for his arrest last week. They didn't find Alireza, so instead they raided his apartment -- without a warrant. Alireza, a Christian blogger, had used Facebook and other social media to evangelize other Iranians. Police first sought to arrest him on May 27. When they didn't find him, authorities visited the homes of his two friends and arrested them. Those men are charged with propagating against Islam and acting against national security. 

There is no information available on their whereabouts. Three days later, authorities appeared again at Alireza's house and confiscated his laptop, articles, notebooks and books. Pray for Alireza and other Christian converts in Iran.

Iran--VOM Project
Pray for those involved in carrying Bibles to believers and seekers in Iran.

Source: http://www.persecution.com/public/pray.aspx?prayerupdate_ID=NDU4MA%3d%3d

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Persecuting Jesus

There is a war against Christianity, and despite what you may or may not hear in the media, it is not slowing down. Every day there are Christians being persecuted for their faith. They are stripped of their rights. Their neighbors threaten them with violence and death. Their homes are destroyed. Their families beat them and reject them. And their governments want to slaughter them.

Around the world our brothers and sisters are boldly believing and proclaiming Christ in places where the penalty for doing so is often prison or death. I want to encourage you to join us and the hundreds of thousands of churches and many Christians around the world on November 11th, 2012, who will be praying on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

In Acts 9 when Paul was persecuting Christians God stopped him by a blinding light and Paul cried out “Who are You, Lord?” and then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting..." Paul thought he was persecuting Christians but in truth he was persecuting Jesus and it's the same thing going on today.

The 19th century French painting, "Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer," today hangs in the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore.
The artwork above is a historic scene that took place in the Circus Maximus in Rome in the 19th century. It seems so far from what we know in America but it's not uncommon to what happens to our brothers and sisters around the world. Jesus promised His followers that the world would hate and persecute them. I hope you will join us and learn more about the war against Christianity.

Do you believe prayer changes things? The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is a global day of intercession for persecuted Christians worldwide. Will you join us and commit to pray for our brothers and sisters on November 11th, 2012? Persecuted Christians often plead for prayer to help them endure. The most we can do is the least we can do — pray. 

(Please note that while Sunday, November 4, 2012 is the designated date for IDOP, you are free to choose another date if you wish.)
For more information checkout the following links:


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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Voice of the Martyrs - Prayer Update

"Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness." - Andrew Murray

"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:18 


Philippines—Philippine Government and Rebels Make a Deal
Source: BBC News
Colossians 1:11
The Philippine government reached a peace deal with the largest Muslim terror group last week, ending 40 years of conflict between the two groups. The government conceded another autonomous region in Mindanao to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). While most Filipinos are Catholics, in the Mindanao region, Muslims are the majority. 

The MILF has long agitated for an independent state, but the agreement to give Bangasamoro leaders more political and economic freedom appears to have pacified them. What is not clear, is how this will affect Christians in the Mindanao region. Christians have long been the victims of violence and land-grabs. Pray for the protection of Christians in the region, that God will strengthen them in his power.

Iran—Another Christian Convert to Spend Six Years in Evin Prison
Sources: VOM Contacts
Romans 5:3
A Christian convert from Islam was sentenced to six years in prison after he was charged with crimes against the regime and caught trying to flee the country. Alireza Seyyedian, 37, has been a Christian since 2006. Last year, authorities found a video of his baptism in Turkey on his laptop, which had been seized in a raid. 

In December 2011, he was charged with crimes against national security and propaganda against the regime. The judge cited his baptism in Turkey as evidence that Alireza was trying to express dissatisfaction with the regime. He was also accused of hosting a house church and distributing Bibles to youth. In March, Alireza was caught fleeing to Turkey, and was brought back to Iran to Evin prison. He is being held in the section for political prisoners. Pray for Alireza. Ask God to strengthen his faith and give him endurance. 

Indonesia—Bomb Attacks Revive Church Fears
Source: Release International, BBC News, The Jakarta Globe
1 John 4:18
Bomb attacks on Christian targets in the city of Poso have revived painful memories of religious violence in Central Sulawesi. Explosives were detonated outside a Christian’s home just after 8 p.m. on Oct. 9 — then, about an hour later, a bomb went off outside Imanuel Church in nearby Taripa, Pamona Timur. 

Police said the house targeted in the first attack was that of Okrifil Mamuaya, a Christian working for the local government. No one was injured in the blasts — but they have alarmed Christians in an area blighted by religious conflict in the past. Groups such as Laskar Jihad have carried out jihad, or holy war, against Christian communities, particularly in the Moluccas and Central Sulawesi between 1999 and 2002. Pray that Christians in Poso and other parts of Central Sulawesi will know God's peace and love. Thank God that His perfect love drives out fear.

Vietnam—VOM Project
Pray for tribal Christian training centers operating in Vietnam. The centers provide materials and training for 400 rural and tribal Christian pastors with the goal of strengthening house churches in rural areas, which face more persecution.
Source: http://www.persecution.com/public/pray.aspx?clickfrom=bWFpbl9tZW51

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Friday, January 13, 2012

Take the 5 Minute Challenge


Take the 5 minute challenge and commit  5 minutes a week to pray for each country on the World Watch List.



Here’s how it works:
  • Each week we will send you an email highlighting a featured country.
  • Explore that country on our website, learn about the people, and discover ways to pray
  • Learn about the current events of that country.
  • Then, join with your church or small group to pray for that country.
    By the end of 2012, we will have prayed for all 50 countries on the World Watch List.

    Take the 5 Minute Challenge

    Take the 5 Minute Challenge


    Calvary Chapel is a very good Bible-based church and we recommend them. Find a Calvary Chapel Church