VOM-USA Prayer Update for April 20, 2012

Thank you for sharing these prayer requests and praying for them today. 

Nigeria--Fulani Herdsmen Raze Christian Villages in Central Nigeria
Source: VOM Contacts

Matthew 5:13–15

Fulani herdsmen have stepped up attacks on predominantly Christian villages in the central Nigerian state of Nasarawa this year. Four villages were attacked between April 2 and April 6, leaving 14 people dead, including Reverend Samuel Peter and the wife of Reverend Samson Akwe. The Fulani people are traditionally Muslim, and although no churches were destroyed, no properties owned by Muslims were damaged. Whole villages were displaced by the violence, in which the herdsmen burned homes, damaged crops, food stores and valuables. The four attacked villages are predominately inhabited by the Migili and Eggon tribes. Residents said the clashes came after the herdsmen allowed their cattle to graze on and destroy the residents' crops. Christians in Nigeria have experienced wave after wave of violence this year in attacks like these and in a bombing campaign carried out by a terrorist group. Thank God for those who are committed to staying in the north to shine Christ's light.

Algeria--Persecution is God's Plan for My Life
Source: VOM Contacts

2 Timothy 1:8–9

An evangelist in Algeria has recommitted himself to the Lord after struggling for months following some persecution for his faith. "Azad" had been a believer for several years, but became discouraged after his father chased him out of his family home, and his wife's family threatened to take away his wife if he continued to evangelize. A few months later, his boss fired him. He told a VOM worker, "I am so discouraged, and I feel hatred against God." He stopped reading his Bible or going to church. But one day, he asked a Christian friend for something to read. The Christian gave him Tortured for Christ, a book written by VOM's founder about his experiences in prison. The book had a profound effect on Azad and he decided he could accept persecution for his faith. Azad understood something he couldn't see before; that he could accept the persecution he experienced as part of God's plan for his life. Thank God he can now share in suffering for the gospel.

Kenya--Christian Meeting Bombed by Radicals
Sources: VOM Canada, Compass Direct News

Psalm 23

On March 31, a bomb attack at an outdoor worship service killed two Christians -- a woman and an eight-year-old boy -- and wounded more than 30 in the Kenyan city of Mtwapa. Five hundred Christians from 16 denominations were attending the outdoor service when a hand grenade was thrown towards the pastor's podium. Muslims were also holding a meeting near the scene of the attack, where the Islamic preachers could be heard all the way to the Christian conference vilifying Christianity. Kenyan officials blamed members of al-Shabab, a radical Islamic group in nearby Somalia, for the bomb attack. The Kenyan government had issued a warning of a possible attack by the militants during Easter. Pray for God's peace for the families.

Latin America
VOM Program

Pray for believers in Latin America, where VOM is helping repair house churches that are falling apart and adding room to those which need more space for worshippers. Government regulations make it next to impossible for any kind of church construction, even upkeep.