Persecution Blog

Prisoner Alert: Please Write Haile Nayzgi in Eritrea

Today I wanted to remind us all that The Voice of the Martyrs has many people who are in prison for their faith in Christ Jesus. 

Haile Nayzgi has been in prison in Eritrea since May of 2004.  As far as we know, the reason he was arrested has never been disclosed.  He has not been able to see his family, including his wife and four children and at this point they do not know where he is being held.

Please say a prayer for our brother Haile Nayzgi, add him to your prayer list and also take a minute to send a note of encouragement to him at Prisoner Alert.

 

Iraq: Three Christians Killed

On Nov. 22, three more believers were killed in Mosul, Iraq, according to the Assyrian International News Agency and Cable News Network.

In this latest attack on the country’s Christian community, assailants entered a shop owned by two Christian brothers, Saad Hanna and Waad Hanna, and shot them. Waad died at the scene, and Saad died from his injuries a few hours later. In a separate incident later in the day, police found an elderly Christian woman strangled in her Mosul home.

This violent attack is the latest in a series of attacks on Iraqi Christians in recent years. In October 2008, more than a dozen Christians were killed in Mosul during a two-week period, and more than 2,000 families fled the city. The Christian community in Iraq is estimated at only 1.6 percent of Iraq’s population of about 29 million people, or about 464,000. Since 2003, Christian leaders, churches and businesses in Iraq have been frequent targets of attack by Islamic extremists. As a result, many believers have fled.

Pray that God will comfort those mourning the loss of these believers. Also pray that God will strengthen the faith of Iraq’s beleaguered Christians and enable them to persevere in the face of great danger.

The Martyrs Monument

     No one ever visits the grave of a martyr. —Richard Wurmbrand, Founder of The Voice of the Martyrs

It is difficult to visit the grave of a martyr; difficult to reflect on their ultimate sacrifice for Christ. Yet those who have become a part of the great cloud of witnesses are powerful examples of sacrificial service, of complete commitment to Christ. Remembering them can impact our own journey and willingness to follow Jesus, no matter the cost.

Our Goal

The Voice of the Martyrs is committed to keep alive the memory of those who stood for Christ to the death; a part of that commitment is represented in our desire to construct a permanent Martyrs Monument. The monument will contain the names and dates of some of the thousands of believers who have given their lives for the cause of the gospel, and will provide an opportunity for American Christians to experience the awesome challenge of visiting a martyr’s grave.

The Monument will also allow American Christians to declare that they too are willing to stand for Christ, just as the martyrs have, by making a contribution and signing the online pledge to stand strong for Christ. Those who contribute and sign the pledge will be permanently listed at The Martyrs Monument web site. Placing your name permanently is a powerful way to communicate to your friends and family that you have been blessed by the testimonies of this great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) and that you too are willing to stand to the death for your faith in Christ.

***

Please learn more about how you can help become apart of this The Voice of the Martyrs Project at this special website http://www.martyrswall.com

MSNBC Report on Asia Bibi

MSNBC and The Pakistan Christian Post are reporting today on the latest with Asia Bibi. According to the MSNBC report,"Bibi’s husband, 48-year-old Ashiq Masih, is desperate, convinced radical Islamic groups are aiming to kill the family. He has gone into hiding, along with his children, sheltered inside a Christian colony in an outlying district of Sheikhupura. Masih insists his wife was framed, a victim of old score-settling in their village of Ittan Walli, where his family was just one of two Christian families." However, the MSNBC report is silent on the fate of Asia.

The Pakistan Christian Post is reporting the sad news that, "The Chief Justice of Lahore High Court LHC, Khawaja Sharif bared President Asif Ali Zardari to pardon Asia Bibi, a Christian mother sentenced to death on accusation of blasphemy.

The interim orders were issued by Chief Justice LHC Khawaja Mohammad Sharif on a petition pleaded by Allah Bukhsh Advocate praying to stall any may be attempt of pardon to one Christian woman sentenced to death on defiling name of Prophet Mohammad by ADSJ of Nankana Sahib.

The petitioner Shahid Iqbal,s advocate pleaded that accused have filed her appeal in Lahore High Court against her death sentence and decision of appeal is awaited but it seems that President of Pakistan tends to pardon her while President can not pardon when an appeal is pending".

We need to keep on praying for Asia and her family. Don't give up praying because God is in control!

Christians Face Escalating Violence

The Voice of the Martyrs, Todd Nettleton, spoke to Mission Network News about the lastest coming out of Iraq.  We'd like to thank MNN for our continued partnership.

***

Iraq (MNN) ― Iraqi Christians have faced rising violence over the past several years, but the attacks have escalated significantly over the last several weeks. Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says the terrorists aim to clear the country of Christians. 

"It seems very clear that radical Islamic elements -- whether they're tied to al-Qaeda or whether they're tied to some other radical Islamic group -- are trying to send a very clear message to Christians in Iraq," Nettleton says. The terrorists are sending the following message: "You are not safe. You should either become Muslim, or you should leave the country."

Iraqi politicians are taking the situation more seriously and beginning to discuss the need to keep Christians safe. One lawmaker has accused countries offering asylum for Christians of meddling in Iraqi affairs and playing into the hands of terrorists. 

Nettleton says it's only natural and logical for families to seek safety elsewhere when threatened by extensive violence, and for other countries to offer that to them. "I don't necessarily think that another country that opens its arms to Christians who are at risk for their lives is meddling in Iraqi affairs. I think that's a vast overstatement by this official," he explained.

However, Nettleton does believe Christians should pray for the Iraqi government to protect all of its citizens, including the Christians. 

"There are some who are saying, 'Wait a minute! The government has an obligation to its Christian citizens to provide some measure of...safety for them,'" he says. "We need to pray that those calls will find sympathetic ears within the government...and we need to pray for a really specific and good plan to be put into place that will provide some protection for the Christian believers in Iraq." 

During the Christmas season, large gatherings of Christians will become targets for the terrorists. VOM's contacts in Iraq are very concerned about the safety of every Christian and every gathering. As the Christians strive to be faithful to God in their decisions, in this context they need prayer for boldness in evangelism, Nettleton says. 

"I think there are some Iraqi Christians who are very bold in their faith and say, 'You know what? If the risks are great, then how much more important is it for us to be sharing our faith? We need to share today because we're not guaranteed tomorrow.' There will be other Christians who say, 'We really need to lay low right now because it's very dangerous.' 

"I think we can pray for both of those groups. We can pray for those who are bold; we can pray for those who are frightened. Pray also for encouragement, for strength, and for protection for them." 

No Such Thing As Unanswered Prayer

“Why do you continue these meetings?” the secret policeman asked the Christian. “Do you think your neighbors wouldn’t report you to us?”

    The young man was a new Christian, but already he had led twenty others to Christ. They were praying that God would provide them a place to gather and worship together.
    

For three weeks, the North African Christians met in an apartment—an illegal gathering that could lead to their arrest. Their praise and singing alerted the neighbors, who reported them to the secret police.

Three times the young Christian had been hauled in for questioning.

    “Do you speak against Islam?” demanded the officer during the third interrogation.

    “No,” the Christian answered. “We have nothing to do with Islam. We worship Jesus.”

    “Do you speak against our leaders?”

    “No, sir. We pray for our leaders, just as Jesus told us to.”

    “Why don’t you find another place to meet? Then your neighbors will stop reporting you.”

    “How can we, sir? We don’t have the proper permission.”

    The officer reached into his desk and took out a form. He wrote for several minutes and handed the form to the Christian. It granted the Christians the right to meet together in a church building that was no longer being used. A beautiful building and government permission to meet there—it was an answer to their prayers.

There is no such thing as an unanswered prayer. God always answers each of our prayers. Yet he may not answer in the way we prayed he would. Sometimes the answer is, “Wait.” We must wait on his timing in order to move ahead. Sometimes his answer is for us to “grow.” Our request is right on target, but we still have some growing to do in order to move ahead. Still, sometimes we are disappointed to hear his answer is, “No.” Our request is not in line with his will, or the timing is not right. And sometimes, the answer is, “Go.” Our request is on target. We are spiritually prepared, and the timing is right. What is God’s answer to your prayer right now? 

***

If you enjoyed this devotion, please support the work of The Voice of the Martyrs and buy a copy of Extreme Devotion or any other material from our bookstore.

VOM-USA Prayer Update for November 26, 2010

PAKISTAN -- Asia Bibi Appeals Death Sentence -- VOM Contacts

On Nov. 17, Asia Bibi's attorneys appealed the death sentence she received after being convicted of blasphemy. The governor of the Punjab, Salman Taseer, met with Asia and took her statement for appeal. He will present his report to President Zardari on Wednesday. Radical fundamentalists have planned a procession for Wednesday to speak out against President Zardari's consideration of Asia's release. Pray for Asia's release and for her family. Also pray that Pakistan's blasphemy law might be amended or repealed.

Psalm 40:11–13

IRAQ -- More Deadly Attacks on Christians -- Assyrian International News Agency, Telegraph, CNN
Christians in Iraq have continued to face deadly violence in recent days, including bombings and shootings. On Nov.11, suspected Islamic extremists detonated 11 bombs in Christian suburbs across Baghdad, targeting shops and homes. At least five Christians were killed and approximately 33 injured. Violence erupted again in predominantly Christian areas on Nov. 15. At least one person was killed and seven others injured when two car bombs exploded. Pray that God will comfort those who have lost loved ones in these attacks. Ask God to strengthen Iraqi believers so they can continue to share his love in the face of great persecution.

Revelation 2:9–11

CHINA -- Three Schools Raided -- China Aid Association
On Nov. 7, government officials raided three kindergartens in the southern provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan, according to China Aid Association. The schools are led by Sun Haiping, the wife of formerly imprisoned house-church pastor Wang Dao. Haiping was also part of the Chinese delegation that recently visited Washington, D.C., to discuss democracy and religious freedom. During the raids, officials questioned teachers and children about Haiping's trip to the United States. They also asked if the school owned Bibles or distributed them to students. "If this was a normal school inspection, the PSB (Public Security Bureau) would not have been there, and it would have been led by the Education Bureau," Haiping told China Aid. "The schools are at risk of being shut down." Pray that Haiping and her husband, Wang Dao, will persevere in faith. Pray that the children in these schools will continue to receive quality education from equipped and dedicated teachers.

Happy Thanksgiving from VOM

  All of us here at The Voice of the Martyrs Persecution Blog wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

 ¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Iran: Pastor Charged—Apostasy

The Assize Court of the province of Gilan, in Iran, has officially charged Pastor Youcef Nardarkhani with denying that Mohammed was a prophet. The court stated that this resulted in apostasy because Nardarkhani believes in Jesus and has shared his faith with others, according to The Voice of the Martyrs.

The indictment, which was issued by a public prosecutor in the presence of a jury, stated, “He has frequently denied the prophet hood of the great prophet of Islam and the rule of the sacred religion of Islam. ... He has proven his apostasy by organizing evangelistic meetings and inviting others to Christianity, establishing a house church, baptizing people, expressing his faith to others and denying Islamic values.”

According to court documents, when Pastor Youcef was asked about his faith, he told authorities, “Since I was born in a Muslim family, I was Muslim until I converted to Christianity at the age of 19.” He openly acknowledged accepting Jesus Christ.

The court also stated that the apostasy charge was determined a crime according to Islamic theologians.

Pastor Youcef’s defense attorneys have entered a not guilty plea to the charges, arguing that “since there is no punishment specified in the Islamic judicial system of Iran and other penal laws [on apostasy] ... their client has not committed a crime to deserve a punishment.”

The indictment, however, stated that as an apostate, Pastor Youcef will be executed. His lawyers have 20 days to appeal the indictment. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to continue praying for Pastor Youcef and his family. Pray that his appeal will be successful and that he will be released.

To learn more about Pastor Youcef, visit www.prisoneralert.com.

Persecution Podcast Episode 46

This week on the Persecution Podcast we look at prayer requests for Pakistan - including Asia Bibi, Iraq,  China and Afghanistan.  More details about how you may pray are found at http://www.persecutionpodcast.com

You may sign up to receive weekly prayer updates every week by going to http://www.persecution.com  and then click the PRAY button and there you can subscribe.

Thank you all for your faithful prayers for our family in Christ, who are often in chains, in prison and being physcially harmed for believing in Christ Jesus.