I am not sure how many of you have heard this terrible news, but there has been a tremendous tragedy in the nation of Burma, also known as Myanmar.  You may also not be aware but the Christian population of Burma is estimated at about 4%, mostly being Baptists and Catholics. And we have mentioned the persecution of Christians there before.

However, today I just wanted to bring to your attention this terrible tragedy as some reports are saying that around 10,000 people have been killed by a very serious cyclone.

The areas that have been declared a disaster zone include the city of Rangoon and five central and southern states, Yangon, Ayeyawaddy, Bago, Mon and Karen.

Other coverage:

World Vision Responds to the Tragedy in Burma

Postcyclone challenge for Burma: Deliver relief fast

Coverage from ReliefWeb

Coverage from Reuters

Today is one of my favorite days of the week because every Wednesday we try to bring to you some items for prayer, and you and I both know that God answers our prayers.  Just yesterday we posted an answer to prayer - so let's do it again friends!

On April 14, two charges were lodged against a married couple for distributing a Christian publication in Singapore in March and October of last year that allegedly cast the Muslim prophet Mohammed in a "negative light." Ong Kian Cheong (49) and Dorothy Chan Hien Leng (44) are charged under the Sedition Act for "promoting feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of the population of Singapore." Cheong and Hien Leng were also charged under the Undesirable Publications Act, which defines "objectionable" material as an item which depicts "race or religion in such a manner that the availability of the publication is likely to cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups." The couple was alleged to have been distributing an evangelistic tract entitled "The Little Bride." Pray the charges against Ong and Dorothy will be dropped. Pray the Holy Spirit will cause them to forgive their persecutors. Pray for continued opportunities for Christians in Singapore to share the truth of Christ. John 15:18-19, John 14:1  

VOM Sources

On April 5, Father Youssef Adel (40), an Assyrian Orthodox priest, was shot dead by unknown assailants in the district of Karradah, Baghdad. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "At approximately 11:30 a.m., Adel was driving to a church when gunmen in another car sped past him and opened fire. Adel was the director of a high school that was attended by both Christians and Muslims. He had been the target of threats and intimidation intended to drive him away from his post." Pray that those who mourn for Father Adel will find strength, courage and peace in Christ. Pray that believers in Iraq will set Christ apart as Lord and not be controlled by fear despite severe persecution. Also pray Christians in Iraq will forgive their persecutors. 1 Peter 3:14-17

In an article posted today on the Independent Catholic News website we learn today that The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, Open Doors,  Christian Solidarity Worldwide and others who are apart of the The Religious Liberty Partnership are now calling for prayer for China especially during the Olympics.

The reason they are calling for prayer is simple - China is well known for many human rights abuses, and also despite a promise of religious freedom, there really isn't any religious freedom in China.

So won't you all please join me and others in keeping China in your daily prayers.

This news is from  Free North Korea Broadcasting.

Ten college students in Ham Kyung Book Do Chung, North Korea, were recently investigated and arrested for reading a Bible and watching a video CD about the Bible. According to Free North Korea Broadcasting, Mr. Jung, former vice president of GumRung Company of the Rodong Dang Labor Organization Department, reported the case and has since escaped to China to avoid arrest by the National Security Agency (Bowiboo). "In March 2006, 200 Life Bibles and several hundred CDs were purchased in China and secretly placed in flour bags before being smuggled into North Korea. This huge Bible smuggling case was headed by GumRung Company employees who were influenced by Christianity in China and underground Christians in Nasun City. All the leaders have been arrested and are being severely tortured. If I am caught, I will be sent to a prison camp for political criminals. I didn't want to die in prison camp, so I escaped," Mr. Jung said. In the Free North Korea Broadcasting report, Mr. Jung added that most of the arrested students attended Chung Jin College. "These students shared the Bible and video CD with their friends. They also distributed the Bibles and video CDs to the other college towns," he said. Pray God encourages and protects believers in North Korea. Ask God to give them courage and for them to love their persecutors. Psalm 107:2

58 Christians Arrested, 9 Church Leaders Sent to Prison - Compass Direct News
On February 22, Laotian officials arrested 15 Hmong Christian families in Bokeo district, Laos. According to Compass Direct News, the arrests occurred a day before a court sentenced nine Hmong church leaders to 15 years in prison for 'conducting Christian ministry and meetings that had grown beyond acceptable levels for Communist officials.' Compass reported, "The day before the sentencing, Laotian authorities arrived in Bai Sai Janrern village in Bokeo district with six trucks in which they hauled away eight Christian families. Authorities also arrested at least seven families from Fai village three miles away." The arrested families make up a total of 58 Hmong Christians. A Christian source told Compass, "It seems they are rounding up all Hmong Christians from Vietnam to send them back to Vietnam. What will happen to them is greatly feared and unknown." According to the Compass report, the nine Christian leaders sentenced to 15 years in prison for Christian ministry were arrested in July 2007, during a police and military raid of suspected rebels that left 13 innocent Christians dead. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with believers in Laos and encourages you to pray for these believers who have been arrested because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Ask God to give them strength and courage to forgive their persecutors. Isaiah 40:31

ICorinthians 15:50-58
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.     Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,   in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.   But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.     "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?"   The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.   Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not {in} vain in the Lord.

Christians Killed - VOM Sources/International Christian Concern
On March 3, Muslim militants killed at least two Christians and wounded dozens in Nensabo town southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts and reports from International Christian Concern, militants attacked Christians, including women and children, while they were attending a worship service. According to reports, "Eight of the wounded have been taken to the town of Awassa for hospitalization, while others with serious injuries were taken to Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa. Among the wounded were a police officer and a Christian whose hand was cut off by the attackers." Reports indicated that the attack was part of a plan by Muslim militants, influenced by the spread of Wahhabism, in the area to wipe out Christians from the Muslim-dominated region. Pray for those mourning deceased believers. Ask God to comfort them. Pray God will protect and guide believers in Ethiopia facing harsh conditions.

Muslim militants killed at least two Christians and wounded dozens more on March 3, 2008, in the town of Nensabo located 325 km southeast of the capital Addis Ababa, according to VOMC sources and a March 6 report from International Christian Concern. The militants attacked the Christians, including women and children, while they were attending a worship service.

Eight of the wounded have been taken to the town of Awassa for hospitalization, while others with serious injuries were taken to Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa. Among the wounded were a police officer and a Christian whose hand was cut off by the attackers. Reports indicated that the attack was part of a plan by Muslim militants, influenced by the spread of Wahhabism in the area, to wipe out Christians from the Muslim-dominated region. The plan included destruction of churches and attacks on Christian groups involved in missionary work.

Pray that those who mourn for the deceased Christians will find comfort in the fact that Christ has triumphed over death and that those who die in the Lord will be raised with Him (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Pray that God will embolden Ethiopian Christians to follow the example of those who were martyred for Him (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Learn more about the persecution facing Christians in Ethiopia. Go to www.persecution.net/country/ethiopia.htm.  Video reports on persecution in Ethiopia can be viewed at www.persecution.tv. The March edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter focuses on the trials and faith of those who are spreading the Good News in Ethiopia. Subscribe today at www.persecution.net/nlorder.htm to receive your free subscription.

Christian Today is highlighting a story today concerning the reopening of a case in Turkey where three Christians were murdered last year.  Glenn Penner, from The Voice of the Martyrs Canada says,

"If the killers are allowed to simply get away with lesser charges, or it's seen that these murders were somehow justified on the basis that these Christians were involved in missionary activity, then Turkish Christians are certainly going to feel that they're not equal members of society, and that their religious activities are going to continue to be under threat," Mr. Penner told the Mission Network News (MNN).

Please keep Turkish believers in your prayers, especially as persecution continues and Turkey continues to examine events of last year.

Click here to read the full story at the Christian Today website.

One of the news items I wanted to bring to your attention today is the story of Gillian Gibbons (Pictured: Courtesy of Reuters) who is a British teacher who is using her gift of teaching in the Sudan.

Recently she was teaching a class of youngsters (in a Christian school)  about Democracy and had asked her students to name a teddy bear.  After a vote, the children named the bear Mohammed.  As a result, some parents were angered and she was eventually charged with "insulting Islam" and "inciting religious hatred" because of the name the children chose.

The English Al Jazeera website is reporting that Ms. Gibbons could receive 40 lashes, up to six months in jail and a fine if she is convicted of this crime.

If you'd like to read a description of what a person will endure when they receive lashes, please click here to read the account of Gavin Sherard-Smith who was given 50 lashes in  1993 for breaking an alcohol ban.  He denied the charges.

Please keep Gillian Gibbons in your prayers and also please pray for the leaders who are going to be making the final decision about whether or not this woman should suffer such severe punishment.   Ms. Gibbons is 54 years old and she is being supported by the pupil who suggested the name of Mohammad for the bear, simply because it is his name.

In Islam naming anything after Mohammad is considered blasphemy.

As you know, yesterday was the day when we all set aside a day to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters all over the world.

I'm wondering if your church or you personally decided to celebrate the day with a prayer service.

As it turned out for me, my church will be doing a service this coming Sunday because we had special guest missionaries come to our church from Peru and there wasn't enough time to do both things.  So my pastor asked me if we could move it up to this coming week so that we have more time.  Of course I said "Absolutely!"

So...what did you all do?  Please leave us your comments.

This Sunday is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.  Here is a compelling video, produced by Open Doors USA, a fellow persecution ministry.  Watch and pray.

Hello Precious Ones!

Today I wanted to just remind everyone that this coming Sunday is our annual International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.  I am very excited about this years event because for the first time I will actually get to present this to my church!  It's very exciting to me and I am praying that those I know personally, will catch the vision that I and so many others have been given by the Lord.

If you haven't received materials yet or don't know what you can do to participate, please see the banner on the right side of this page, and click it.  It will take you to our special VOM page where you can download free church bulletins and even an IDOP powerpoint show!  It truly is exciting and also very convenient.

Also, just a heads up, Todd Nettleton will be appearing LIVE on Janet Parshall's new program, Talking it Over this coming Saturday.  You can listen to the show live online.  All you have to do is click here and you'll have all the information you need.

The following is from our weekly USA VOM prayer alert.  If you would like to stay informed on the issues of the day and pray with wisdom, please sign up to receive these great weekly alerts at www.persecution.com


Eritrean gospel singer, Helen Berhane, who was released from prison in November 2006 after being detained in Eritrea for two years without charge, has been granted asylum in Denmark. Berhane and her daughter arrived in Denmark on October 19, after spending 11 months in Sudan. Her health remains extremely poor, due to the physical suffering she experienced during her detention. She cannot walk without assistance. During Berhane's detention, she was held for extended periods of time in shipping containers and tortured several times by authorities in an effort to force her to recant her faith. Thank God that Berhane has found a safe place to live. Praise Him for her faithfulness. Pray for God's continued protection and provision for her. Ask Him to give her direction and wisdom, so she can continue serving Him. Pray for believers in Eritrea who face persecution and suffering for the sake of their faith in Jesus Christ. Psalm 84:11, Psalm 119:105

This week in our VOM-USA prayer update we highlighted four different areas of prayer for you to focus on.  I want to highlight the following from the email and ask that you would pray along with us for the quick recovery of those who were injured.

On September 27, a suicide bomber in military clothing detonated a grenade, killing five youth and critically wounding four others, in Sudan's Upper Nile state. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in Sudan, "A pastor was having an overnight service in Khorfullus town, when an unidentified man walked into the service and detonated a grenade, killing himself, five children and critically wounding four others, including the pastor and his wife." VOM contacts added that the bomber was dressed in full military clothing, normally worn by government officials. VOM is assisting families affected by this tragedy during this difficult time. Pray God comforts and encourages the families of those killed. Pray for a speedy recovery for those injured. Psalm 118: 17, Isaiah 40:31

I was telling my husband the other day that I want to definitely make sure that our church participates in this  years International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.  And as I was telling him about this, I couldn't help but think how fun it would be to use some shocking drama to awaken the American church.  However, after telling my husband my idea, I realized that some people may not understand it was simply "drama" when a man would come in and  hold the church up at gunpoint.  And I admit it, that THAT idea, while it would probably work, might also cause a few elderly people to fall to the ground with a heart attack and then the church would be sued for scaring people to death.

Which is exactly why this year you all need to get your materials to celebrate the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church early.

Click here to request your free materials for your church or yourself before October 29th.

Remember also, that this year the IDOP is November 11th - (for us in America that is also Veteran's Day) and the theme is Secret Believers. 

Let us know in our comments today if you plan on letting your church know about this years IDOP and if you are going to participate personally.

An update from Azerbaijan:

Forum 18 News
On October 3, the Sheki Appeal Court in Azerbaijan rejected Pastor Zaur Baleav's appeal to have his two-year prison sentence overturned. According to Forum 18 News Service, the head of the Baptist Union, Ilya Zenchenko, said, "We are stunned at the result the court handed down. We don't know what to do. It is a tragedy for his wife and children. It was all over in two minutes. Zaur's son is distressed, complaining that there is no hope and no law in Azerbaijan. He is very young, but his emotional reaction is understandable." Pray the Holy Spirit encourages Pastor Balaev, his family and believers in Azerbaijan. Ask God to use his testimony to draw non-believers into fellowship with Him. Hebrews 13:5,6; Isaiah 54:17

A few years ago my husband has this very strange dream about Myanmar.  At the time I had never heard of this place, and didn't even know if it was real.  But my husband seemed to know it was a real place, also known as Burma, and he felt totally burdened to pray for that land as a result of this dream.

Well, as you may know, Myanmar has been in the news a lot lately because there has been a ton of recent persecution against the church there and also monks.  In today's prayer email alert VOM is asking for prayer targeted for that region.  Please join us in praying for Myanmar and all of those who are suffering for their faith there.

MYANMAR VOM Calls for Prayer for Christians in Myanmar - VOM Sources
The Voice of the Martyrs is calling on believers around the world to pray for Christians being affected by the continued unrest in Myanmar (Burma). According to VOM contacts, the government is targeting anyone with influence, and churches have not been spared. VOM contacts report, "Churches cannot meet. We are quietly meeting in small groups of no more than five to pray for our country. China reports five people have been killed, the British Broadcasting Corporation is saying about 10 have been killed, but our people have seen hundreds of bodies and many more filling the hospitals." Pray for the protection and safety of Christians in Myanmar. Pray the Holy Spirit will convict the hearts of the government officials and that the testimony of believers will draw others into fellowship with Christ. Psalm 27:1, Joshua 1:9

You may have noticed that despite the release of the Korean hostages I have chosen to leave their picture on the blog because I want you to continue to remember them in prayer.  The following was published in this weeks Prayer alert from VOM-USA.

SOUTH KOREA UPDATE: Korean Hostages Told Convert to Islam or Die – British Broadcasting Corporation
On September 12, South Korean Christian aid workers held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan for six weeks, reported being beaten and ordered at gun point to convert to Islam, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). According to the BBC, the former hostages told a press conference they were made to work like slaves while in captivity. Jae Chang-hee told reporters, "We were beaten with a tree branch or kicked around. Some kidnappers threatened us with death at gunpoint to force us to follow them in chanting their Islamic prayer for conversion. I was beaten many times. They pointed a rifle and bayonet at me and tried to force me to convert." Jae Chang-hee added, "We lived like slaves. We had to level the ground for motorbikes, and get water and make a fire." BBC reported that Yu Jung-hwa said she thought she was going to die. "The most difficult moment, when I had a big fear of death, was when the Taliban shot a video. All 23 of us leaned against a wall and armed Taliban aimed their guns at us, and a pit was before me. They said they will save us if we believe in Islam. I almost fainted at the time and I still cannot look at cameras." Recalling how Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu was led away to his death, the BBC said Han Ji-young, in tears, added, "Bae didn't even look at us when he was leaving the room. He only said, 'Overcome with faith.'" Continue praying for God to touch the lives of these believers as they deal with their experience in Afghanistan. Pray God comforts the families of the two that were killed. Pray the testimony of these Christians will draw non-believers into fellowship with Him. Deuteronomy 28, Psalm 91

Today I wanted to share some good news with you concerning some Pastors who were recently released and are praising God. Here's the good news from this weeks VOM-USA prayer alert.

LAOS Released Laotian Pastors Express Gratitude - VOM Sources
On August 14, The Voice of the Martyrs received a letter from Laotian Pastor Khamphuy, who was released from prison in May. Pastor Khamphuy wrote, "As one of 12 prisoners released in May, all of us want to express our appreciation for your prayers and support while we were in prison. Our wives told us that you sent help to our families and bought food and medicines for us. Thank you for sustaining our families while we were in prison." Pastor Khamphuy and 11 other pastors were arrested after attending a Christian meeting on November 21, 2006. After the release of nine in May, three pastors still remain imprisoned. Khamphuy added, "Please continue to pray for Pastors Amkha, Bua and Van Thong and their families." The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to continue praying for the pastors in prison. Pray they will love their persecutors and have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with them. Also, pray for God's protection for the released pastors and their families, as they continue preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 15:57

The following two prayer requests come from this weeks VOM-USA Prayer Alert.  Please remember to read after the fold, by clicking the link to continue reading the post.

Christian Leaders Attacked, Christians Openly Persecuted and Stabbed – VOM Sources

• RAJASTHAN – On July 25, five men attacked Emmanuel Ministries. According to The Voice of The Martyrs contacts in India, the attackers had two handguns, a sword, a large stick and numerous stones. VOM contacts report, "They started fighting Mr. Jetha, one of the ministry office staff. They shouted that they would kill M.A and Samuel Thomas, the leaders of Emmanuel Ministries, and continuously beat Mr. Jetha. They threatened that they would 'kill and willingly go to prison for six years.' In a separate incident on July 31, members of Believers Assembly Church in Sri Ganga Nagar District, Rajasthan, were summoned by the police for questioning after Hindu fundamentalists complained believers were converting local villagers. VOM contacts report, "The new believers were threatened by police and pressured to leave Christianity and return to Hinduism. They were also warned that if they fail to return to Hinduism the provisions of the Anti-Conversion Act of Rajasthan, would be used to arrest them." Pray for protection for believers in Rajasthan. Ask God to encourage them and for the Holy Spirit to comfort and minister to injured believers. Pray the testimony of believers will draw Hindus into fellowship with Christ. Isaiah 26:3

Today I want to highlight two of the prayer requests from VOM-USA's prayer alert this week.  Also, to remind you that you can sign up at www.persecution.com and receive the full report weekly.

INDONESIA – Imprisoned Christians Charged – VOM Sources
More than 40 Christian leaders imprisoned in April, after a video recording of them praying for Muslims was leaked to Islamic organizations, have been charged under Article 156 KUPH. Under article 156 and 156a, “anyone who expresses hatred, opposition or insults one individual or groups of Indonesian citizens in public, will be imprisoned four to five years, or fined 4,500 rupiah. Muslims claim Christians blasphemed the Koran by placing it on the floor and praying for millions of people deceived by it. The Islamic organizations consider the video’s content abusive and have released the video to the media. Among the imprisoned are parents of young children. Pray for those in prison and their families. Ask God to give them boldness and wisdom as they face these difficult challenges. Psalm 91, Isaiah 26:3

IRAN – Increased Persecution against Christians – VOM Sources
The Voice of the Martyrs’ contacts in Iran report increased persecution for Christians in Iran. Several Christians have been imprisoned, interrogated and threatened. VOM sources said, “Iranian security forces prompted by the Islamic leadership and Iranian president are trying to wipe out Christianity in Iran. They are angry many Iranian Muslims are choosing to follow Christ.” Pray God protects and sustains Christians in Iran. Ask God to use the testimonies of those being persecuted to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him 1 Peter 5:7, John 14:27

Every week The Voice of the Martyrs sends out prayer needs to everyone who signs up.  If you haven't signed up yet, you can do that by visiting www.persecution.com  .

Today I want to highlight two requests from the report this week.

UZBEKISTAN
Imprisoned Pastor Transferred to Harsher Camp – Forum 18 News/ VOM Sources

Imprisoned Pentecostal pastor, Dmitry Shestakov, has been transferred to a harsher labor camp in Navoi, Uzbekistan. The new camp is a longer distance from his wife and three children. In May 2007, Shestakov was sentenced to four years in an open work camp, in Andijan, for "religious activity." Christians in Uzbekistan told Forum 18 News, "The authorities claim he misbehaved in the open work camp and that’s why they ordered his transfer to a harsher camp. We believe this was deliberately set up." Forum 18 News reports that Pastor Shestakov’s transfer comes as authorities prepare administrative trials against members of his congregation in his home town of Andijan in the Fergana Valley in eastern Uzbekistan. Pray for Pastor Shestakov and his family. Ask God to watch over them during this difficult time. Psalm 32:7, Psalm 91:14-16

TURKEY
Pray for the Families of Martyred Christians – VOM Sources

Continue to pray for the families and loved ones of three men martyred in Turkey in April. Pray God will heal their hearts and meet their needs. Some Christians have been singled out in media coverage of this case; pray for their protection and God's provision for them. Pray that Muslims in Turkey will be drawn to ask why these three men were willing to die, and through their testimonies will be drawn to faith in Christ. Psalm 68:5

I hope you're receiving prayer requests from The Voice of the Martyrs.  If you aren't, please visit www.persecution.com to sign up.  The following is from this weeks email alert.

"There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all."(I Corinthians 12:5-7)

PRAYER REQUESTS FROM TURKEY UPDATE

Turkish church requests prayer after three Christians martyred in Malatya - The Protestant Church in Smyrna is requesting Christians to pray for the families of the three believers killed on April 18, 2007, in Malatya, Turkey. According to a press release, the church urged Christians to pray that someday the perpetrators of the gruesome murders would receive Christ and for God to use the testimonies of the martyred brothers to draw others in the knowledge of Him. II Corinthians 1:3-7

INDIA PRAYER REQUESTS

    ORISSA - On April 17, four pastors were arrested by local police in the Cuttack district after Hindu extremists saw them distributing Christian literature and accused them of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. The pastors were released on bail the following day.    

TAMIL NADU - On April 22, two pastors were beaten and jailed after more than 20 members of a Hindu extremist group disrupted a prayer meeting. The extremists surrounded the house where the Christians were meeting and verbally abused the pastors. When the police arrived the pastors were ordered to accompany them to the police station. On the way, the extremists attacked again, beating the pastors and four believers who accompanied them. The extremists accused the pastors of forced conversions and are being held in the central prison. Pray for God to speedily heal those who were injured and that Christians in India will trust Him in the midst of great persecution.

I've been thinking all day about what I have wanted to share with  you today and I finally decided that I want to share with you my discouragement about how few Christians in America, that I know of, really pray. 

Today is Thursday, and usually every Thursday I meet with a small group of people at my church for a 10 AM prayer meeting.  Sometimes we have 5 people and other times there may be just 2 of us.  This morning, the prayer meeting didn't take place because the "regulars" who show up all had other things to do.  And admittedly, I called the church office late to tell them I was going to be late getting there because I was tied up doing an interview for my podcast.

I was told that no one was there yet and asked to be called back in a few minutes with the verdict if whether or not I should go to the church for the churches weekly prayer meeting.

About ten minutes later I got a call from my pastor who informed me that the prayer meeting was off.  And he was one of the people who is usually at the meeting.  I told him I understood and that I could pray at home and God would still hear me.

But really, is that the point?  No, the point of a church prayer meeting is for people in the church to come together and pray.  I pray alone all of the time so it's not like there is something very special about that.  But what is special is when believers take the time and make it a priority to attend a prayer meeting.

And I guess it's hard for me because I spend a lot of time writing about persecuted Christians all over the world whose number one request is that we PRAY for them.  Yet, all too often, due to our schedules and what we feel is important here in the US churches, prayer is dismissed, cancelled or just all talk and no action.  In other words, we really don't practice what we preach about all the time.

In fact, a few years ago I did a survey at a former church and I was trying to compare whether television had an impact on one's spiritual life.  I was in school at the time and doing this research project for a class.  Anyway, I compared television viewing with the spiritual disciplines of bible reading, prayer, scripture memorization, fellowship, worship activities and evangelism.  When I got back the results from the congregants, what I discovered was that about 80% of the respondents claimed to have a thriving prayer life on a daily basis.

The interesting thing however, was that no one include fasting in that equation.

And in the end I found that what helped make a Christian a spiritually mature person didn't have anything to with television viewing, rather it had to do with how much time a person engages in spiritual growth activities.

And my guess is that if I had asked specifically about attending a church prayer meeting on a weekly basis the result would've been close to zero if not zero.  I think this is an extremely sad spiritual state of affairs, especially since persecuted Christians want our prayers and usually that's all they ask for.

Yet, we in America for the most part do not appear to be committed to praying with one another, and I believe because of that our persecuted brothers and sisters suffer.

Every week we try our best to highlight important prayer requests so that you can pray and also let your churches pray.  You may get these requests and more sent to your email box by visiting www.persecution.com .

Today I want to highlight two requests that are especially important.  Please pray.

INDIA  - Missionary Attacked - VOM Sources
On March 6, a missionary in Kashmir was attacked by masked people and beaten with steel pipes and wooden sticks. He became unconscious and some people found him on the street with a broken leg and took him to the hospital. His family is under threat. Pray for God's healing power to touch his body and for protection for his family. Pray for protection for believers in this area. Ephesians 6:18-20

BENIN  - Church Destroyed by Militant Muslims - VOM Sources / Christian Aid
According to a March 2 report from Christian Aid, local Muslims destroyed a church building in January, three days after it was built. The church was established among the Ayizo tribe by a native missionary working with Christ's Power Ministries (CPM). Four months earlier, CPM's center of discipleship was also destroyed. Islam is spreading in Africa. It is estimated that 30 percent of Benin's population is now Muslim. Ask God to give these church members in Benin boldness so they will continue to meet despite threats of persecution. Psalm 138:1-3

"As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress. Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.”"(Job 37: 23-24)

This week the Voice of the Martyrs-USA sent out their weekly news and prayer alert and as I read through the requests I was amazed at how age doesn't seem to matter to those who persecute Christians. Read on to see what I mean.

Update on Elderly Mother of House Church Leader - China Aid Association
On February 26, Beijing house-church leader Hui Huiqi's 77-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, was sentenced to two years in prison by Beijing Chongwen District People's Court. She was charged with willfully damaging public and private property. In January, Hui Huiqi and his elderly mother were attacked by police officers while they were walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. Shuang Shuying was arrested when she sought information from the Chongwen District Office about her son, who was arrested on January 26. Continue to pray for this family as both mother and son are in prison. Ask God to comfort and protect them. I Peter 5:10-11

This is amazing isn't it?  Here we read that the police were the ones doing the attacking and this elderly woman is the one sentenced to prison.  Pray for justice in this case.

This week VOM is asking that we all remember those in prayer who are being persecuted in Laos.  The following was taken from the weekly VOM prayer email.

– In Southern Laos, two Christian men have been taken from their farms and put in prison. No charges have been filed and no news is forthcoming about their current situation. Pray God protects and encourages these men and their families in this difficult time.

In North Central Laos, on January 18, five police officers showed up at a Christian brother's home and arrested him. VOM sources have known him and his family for 20 years. His wife and 12-year-old son did not get an opportunity to speak to him before he was taken away. All efforts to locate him or allow his wife to know where he is being detained have been unsuccessful. According to VOM contacts, in several similar incidents, the people taken by police were never found alive. Pray for this family, that has led more than 500 people to Christ in the past two years. Ask God to protect this brother and comfort his wife and child. Psalm 119: 49-56

This week I was privileged to hear from two Christians serving the Lord in the midst of persecution in Turkey and India. Their passion for Jesus Christ and the lost was contagious. While they were sharing, I asked myself how I would respond if placed in their situations. These precious leaders of the church in India and Turkey have endured persecution and remain steadfast in their faith. “I was raised and taught in a Muslim family. Even though I questioned the teachings of Islam, I had no other option. One day, I received a New Testament and started reading the Gospel of John. I soon realized that in the Middle East we had everything else, but the love of God. I discovered Jesus and after my conversion I went to my grandfather and told him I was now a Christian. Immediately, I lost everything,” the brother from Turkey said.

I believe it is important to remind ourselves about the sufferings of our brother and sisters around the world. The courage they show in the midst of rejection from their families, arrest and torture should move us to pray even more. “I would rather die than deny the son of God, the Living God,” the Turkish brother added. I challenge you to continually pray for the persecuted church around the world. After hearing what God is doing in Turkey and India, I urge you to pray God gives Christians courage to continue in their faith and boldness to share the gospel.

It's been a few weeks since I have highlighted some of the prayer requests that VOM sends out every week, so today I wanted to do that again.  The following prayer requests from VOM USA for this week.  Please join me and the rest of the staff at VOM in praying for these precious people.

COLOMBIA: Teachers Forced to Deny Christ

A VOM contact reports that three teachers working with a tribal group are being forced to deny Christ in order to be permitted to teach for the next year. All three teachers intend to stand firm. An effort is being made in some of the tribal areas to eliminate Christianity. Pray God gives these believers courage to stand against this persecution. Ask God to protect them and use their experiences to bring others to Christ. 1 Corinthians 16:13

As a result of all the Christian persecution in North Korea many persecution organizations have come together to proclaim 2007 a year of prayer for North Korea.  I think this is a wonderful idea.  Even yesterday, as I was praying for my day and lifting up the nation of North Korea in prayer - even before I knew about this effort - I felt sad as I thought of Diane Sawyer's reporting from North Korea at the end of 2006.

To learn more about this prayer effort and the other organizations participating please visit Pray for North Korea.

In case you missed receiving this weeks prayer requests from The Voice of the Martyrs, remember that you can sign up to get those directly in your email box by signing up here.  I also wanted to remind you that you can get our daily posts directly in your feed reader if you just snag those RSS feeds from the right and use them in whatever your feed reader is, you will never miss a post.  Personally, I use Bloglines, and I've also used Pluck in case you need a reader.  Please sign up today so you don't miss out!

The prayer request I want to highlight today is from the VOM-USA newsletter.

PAKISTAN 
Evangelists Attacked by Taliban; One Killed; Two Injured - VOM Sources

On January 2, 2007, two evangelists working with Muslim converts in the dangerous Northern areas of Pakistan were attacked by the Taliban. One of the men was shot and killed instantly, two other Muslim friends were wounded and one escaped. The Taliban has since sent threatening calls to one of the evangelists. Since the police in this area favor the Taliban, pray for God's protection for these brothers and for healing for those wounded in the attack. Pray this situation will bring these Muslim brothers into fellowship with Jesus Christ. Also, pray God would comfort the family and friends of the brother who was killed, assuring them their loved one has received a crown no one can take away. Revelation 3:5,11

This is an example of Christian pastors being persecuted apparently because they were in an area a group of people didn't want them in. 

On November 30, Pastor Hatey Singh Gundiya and Pastor Gokul Gundiya were waiting for a bus in the village of Umria in Madhya Pradesh, India when a group of people approached them and asked what the two were doing in "their" area. According to a December 4 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India, the group were members of the militant Hindu Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Two members of the mob beat the pastors with sticks until witnesses who recognized the pastors began to object. A police report has been filed and the pastors were sent for medical treatment.

Pray that these pastors will be healed of their injuries. Pray they will take comfort in the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good (1 Peter 2:20-21). Ask God to enable them to continue their ministry and proclaim the gospel boldly and lovingly.  Pray that their persecutors will come to know Jesus Christ as Lord.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to www.persecution.net/country/india.htm.

This is an example of persecution by Hindu militants toward a Pastor's wife in India.  Their goal, to ultimately stop the gospel from being shared.

According to a December 1 report from Compass Direct, on November 29, Neelam Paswan (28), the wife of Pastor Shiriam Paswan, was alone in a field near her home in Elha, Bihar state when Kamlesh Singh Yadav allegedly abducted and raped her. When villagers caught Yadav trying to flee the area, he told them that someone had asked him to rape Paswan. He refused to identify the instigator by name and managed to escape.

The Paswans work with Faith Fellowship, a local non-profit organization that Hindu militants have accused of converting children to Christianity. The organization's building in the community is used as a school for children as well as for Christian worship on Sundays. Pastor Radhey Shyam Philip, the founder of Faith Fellowship, believes that the attack against Pastor Paswan's wife was a deliberate attempt by Hindu militants to stop the Christian activity in the village. This belief is shared by local villagers.

Ask God to give Neelam healing from the emotional and physical scars of her assault and fill her heart with His love (Matthew 5:43-44). Pray that Christians in this area will remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Ask God to thwart the attempts of those who seek to destroy His Church.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, go to www.persecution.net/country/india.htm. New video reports by The Voice of the Martyrs Canada on persecution in India are available on our multimedia website, www.persecution.tv.

Today I wanted to share with you a prayer request from the VOM USA's prayer email  that came yesterday in my email box.

Assist News is reporting that a girl who rejected  Islam is now facing murder charges.

Australian media reports that on October 9th, 17-year-old Kaihana Hussain was attacked with a knife by her father, Dr Mohammed Hussain, after she reiterated her commitment to convert from Islam to Christianity. According to the reports, Kaihana's mother was fatally stabbed when she tried to intervene, and her father attempted to kill himself after Kaihana escaped the apartment. Police confirmed at the time that Kaihana was not a suspect. Dr Hussain survived, and now alleges that Kaihana stabbed her mother to death and attempted to murder him because they disapproved of her boyfriend. Kaihana was subsequently arrested and faced a court on November 7, where she was charged with murder and attempted murder. She did not speak and no plea was entered. Kaihana Hussain remains in custody until her trial, which has been slated for May 22, 2007. Pray God will reveal the truth in this matter and Kaihana will be set free. Matthew 10:26

Yes, please pray that the truth would be found out.  Father, I ask for your tender mercies to comfort Kaihana and her family and for justice to prevail in her situation.  Thank you for what you are going to do for your daughter.  In Jesus' name.

Due to me being at a conference all day, I am finally getting to update the site for today.  I am wondering if your church celebrated the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church yesterday?  Mine did...and it was very cool.

The worship leaders led worship sitting down and we turned the lights down to make it seem like we were in a cave.  Then our pastor mentioned the day and we prayed.  We then watched a video from a different persecution ministry :), not my doing :), and then we had another couple who prayed and mentioned sending bibles through The Voice of the Martyrs....and then we handed out some VOM magazines.  It was very cool.

I also had an opportunity to see Todd Nettleton on the Coral Ridge Hour and I was wondering if you had an opportunity to watch?

I look forward to your feedback.

The following is taken from this weeks VOM Canada's Persecution and Prayer Alert.

Over the past week, Indian Christians have been forced to worship Hindu deities in Karnataka state, according to two reports from Compass Direct.

According to a November 3 report, when Hindu villagers in Kurumaradikere noted on October 29 that local Christians had not participated in the annual Depavali festival, they demanded that Pastor Naik (39) and the eleven families of his congregation worship Hindu deities as a "gesture of symbolic repentance."

At a meeting called by local leaders, they interrogated the pastor about whether or not he taught his congregation to reject Hindu deities. They threatened and insulted the Christians and physically assaulted one man by repeatedly slapping him. They also demanded that every church member worship at the village temple. Eight of the eleven families in Pastor Naik's congregation gave in to the demands. The local council chief ordered that the three families who refused to cooperate be ostracized from the village. Pastor Naik has gone into hiding out of fear of further persecution from government officials. The pastor of a nearby village told Compass that a local politician named Raja Naik had instigated the persecution.

On November 6, Hindu militants also forced Christians in the village of Bevainahalli to bow down before Hindi deities, according to a November 7 Compass Direct report. At 5:00 p.m., two Hindu priests and a group of twenty to twenty-five Hindu militants from the Rashitriya Swayamsevek Sangh (RSS) militant group and its youth wing, the Bajrang Dal, stormed through the village shouting threats to those in Christian homes and ordering the occupants to go to a site near the village temple. Christians who questioned their orders were slapped and told to keep walking.

Once the Christians were gathered together, one of the Hindu priests began to speak against Christianity and told them to "reconvert" to Hinduism. The Christians were then marched to the temple and forced to bow down before the gods. The Hindu priests applied the vermillion marks on the foreheads of each man and woman and told them to eat of the Hindu offering.

Pray that Indian Christians will confidently entrust themselves to God so that they can preach the gospel without hesitation (2 Timothy 1:5).  Pray that God will use the faithfulness of those who dared to set Him apart as Lord to bring about mercy in the hearts of their persecutors, as it did in the heart of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:28-29). Ask the Lord to keep Pastor Naik safe from harm. Pray that God will work in the hearts of those who denied Him and lead them to repentance. For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, go to www.persecution.net/country/india.htm. Recent video reports on the persecution in India and what VOMC is doing to help are available on our multimedia website, www.persecution.tv. ***********************************

November 12th is right around the corner and as we get ready to participate in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church I just had to tell you about a ministry that is helping Christians join together in prayer through the use of their teleconferencing ministry.  I think this is an AWESOME idea.

An article on Crosswalk.com about the IDOP says this about the ministry of Greater Calling,

Greater Calling is providing free teleconferencing services on November 12, so that people can join together in prayer from all over the world. Last year on the IDOP, several hundred people from over nine different countries joined together to unite in prayer over the telephone. There is a leader each hour and a specific area of the world is covered in prayer each hour. People can join anytime between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Pacific time on November 12th by dialing 1-641-985-1131 and entering 4367# (IDOP#). Visit  www.greatercalling.org for more information.

Also, by visiting www.greatercalling.org, people can get their own free conference call dial-in number and code and they can start their own conference call prayer group with their friends or family to join in corporate prayer for the persecuted church. The web site www.persecutedchurch.org has information and prayer points that people can use to guide their prayers.

“Jesus tells us that when two of us on earth agree about anything, it will be done for us,” Simons said. “Prayer works.”

This is a very cool story from Agenzia Giornalistica Italia.

Nov. 1 - A prayer for all those Christians that in the world are 'vilified, despised, persecuted because of the Gospel' was heard this morning in the Vatican basilica during the 'All Saints' big mass. Among the believers' prayers there was also an invocation by a Filipino so that 'each country and all the people become God's people, holy people capable of proclaiming wonderful actions of the Lord'. A prayer was also told in Arabic.

Last Sunday as I was leaving my church I shared with my pastor that I had a few extra magazines from The Voice of the Martyrs.  These were left over from the GodBlogCon....anyway, as I was telling my pastor about the magazines and offering to him for our church he got really excited because he said that our church is planning on observing the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on November 12th!  I can't tell you how happy I was to hear that my church is going to be involved in this extremely important event.  And so I was wondering...

Is your church going to be involved?  Are you going to be an ambassador in your church and let your pastor know about this special event?

Please share with us what you're going to do!

Please also click here to learn more about the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

A Muslim sheikh jailed in Egypt for 18 months has declared from his prison cell that he is under arrest for "insulting Islam" by becoming a Christian. Egypt's secret police transferred Bahaa el-Din Ahmed Hussein el-Akkad, 57, to the Wadi el-Natroun Prison last month. He was told he would remain there indefinitely unless he agreed to work as a government informer against other converts to Christianity. According to the prisoner's Cairo attorney, Athanasius William, his client remains incarcerated in this desert prison "only because he has chosen a different belief, to be a Christian." When courts ordered El-Akkad's release from provisional detention 10 weeks ago, State Security Investigation authorities deliberately ignored the ruling. Pray God will strengthen this faithful believer with the assurance that Jesus is with him and He will be the final victor. Psalm 102:19-22

Today I have two prayer requests for China that I want to share with you.  These are in this weeks VOM Prayer alert which you can sign up for at www.persecution.com  .

Handicapped Pastor Sentenced to Two Years in Prison - China Aid Association CAA learned October 9 that Pastor Wang Zaiqing, a prominent Chinese house-church leader in Anhui Province was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of "illegal business practices," fined 100,000 Yuan ($12,500.00 US), and had all the books and printing funds taken from his home. Pastor Wang was crippled at the age of 5 years. He became a Christian in 1993, and later became a very well-known house church planter and preacher in several provinces around Anhui Province. Pray Pastor Wang will find comfort and strength, knowing the One who will never forsake him. Hebrews 4:14-16

Prosecution of Six Christian Leaders Postponed - China Aid Association

The trial of six Christian leaders arrested in July in connection with the demolition of a church under construction, has been postponed due to lack of evidence. The local prosecutor in Hangzhou city decided not to prosecute the church leaders at this time. At the time of the event, the church leaders implored the military police to postpone entering the construction site, and at the same time urged the Christians to leave quickly. A potential large-scale clash was actually avoided on the spot. The local people's prosecutor might find the charge of "incitement to resist law-enforcement" is not tenable. The case was returned to the local PSB to gather more evidence. According to an expert legal analyst, the most optimistic prospect is that the case will be thrown out for lack of sufficient evidence. Give thanks to God that He has shown Himself powerful on behalf of the Christians. Psalm 27:12-14

After reading this the only thing I can think of is that even though this baby is being denied his name, the Lord knows his name and called him forth the way he did every one of us.  Amazing...

AZERBAIJAN  – Compass Direct Three-month-old Ilya Eyvazov has no official name. Local authorities in the town of Aliabad at first refused to issue a birth certificate when they saw the baby's name was the Russian form of Elijah. After a month, Novruz Eyvazov, the baby's father, succeeded only in securing a birth certificate that left his son's name blank. Considered part of a "foreign" religious sect, the three Baptist congregations in Aliabad face ongoing harassment from the local government, which has refused them official church registration for the past 13 years. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in power to overcome the spiritual darkness in Azerbaijan and bring unity among the people. Ezekiel 22:30