VOM Prayer Update for March 4, 2009
Here are the prayer requests that we would love for you to join us in praying for this week.
TURKEY: Two More Suspects Arrested in Malatya Martyrdoms – Compass Direct News
A Turkish court has charged two more men, a former volunteer and an ex-journalist, with instigating the murder of three Christians in Malatya in 2007, according Compass Direct News. On Feb. 4, a judge ordered the arrest of former journalist, Varol Bulent Aral on suspicion of instigating the murder. Media reports said Aral has been connected with an ultranationalist group of retired generals, politicians, journalists and mafia members under investigation for conspiracy in various murders. Meanwhile, on Feb. 9, Huseyin Yelki, who had worked for Christian organizations, was arrested after suspected ringleader Emre Gunaydin implicated him for instigating the murder. Yelki was a former volunteer worker at Zirve Publishing Company in Malatya, the site of the April 18, 2007, brutal torture and murder of two Turkish Christians, Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, and a German, Tilmann Geske. In his testimony last week, Gunaydin claimed that Aral and Yelki worked together to instigate the attack. Pray for justice to prevail as this trial continues in the Turkish courts. Pray for the families of the martyred believers. Praise God for the faithfulness and courage despite the challenges.
CHINA - Elderly House Church Leader Arrested – China Aid Association
On Dec. 31, Yuan Shenlun, a coal miner in his 70s, was arrested when he went to pick up books and CDs at a storage center, according to China Aid Association. On Jan. 20, he was formally arrested, placed in criminal detention and accused of “using an evil cult organization to obstruct justice.” Shenlun was arrested after receiving a phone call from an anonymous person requesting he pick up 100 sets of “Watchman Nee’s Collective Works” and six sermon videotapes. When he went to the storage center to pick up the materials, Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers were waiting for him. Yuan was previously arrested in 1983 and served 14 years in prison, accused of being part of the Christian “Shouter” sect in the first Chinese government “Strike Hard” campaign. After his release, he continued in his evangelical faith in the house church movement. Yuan Shenlun’s wife is ill and his imprisonment prevents him from caring for her. Pray Shenlun is released from prison. Ask God to heal his wife and provide for her needs. Praise God for Shenlun’s faithfulness.
UZBEKISTAN – Government Cracks Down on Religious Literature – Forum 18 News
The Uzbekistan government is continuing its persecution of Christians and Baptists, punishing them for distributing free literature. In one case Christians were questioned for seven hours without food or water, according to Forum 18 News. A Baptist believer was fired from his job as an electrician after the secret police confiscated his religious literature. Pray for believers living under intense pressure in Uzbekistan. Ask God to give them courage and endurance. Pray they will forgive their persecutors.