VOM-USA Prayer Update for December 3, 2010
The Voice of the Martyrs is a ministry of prayer, and every week we set aside some of the prayer requests we feel are vital for all of us to pray for together as a community. Please share these requests with your family, friends, church and Sunday school classes.
IRAN -- Imprisoned Pastor Officially Charged with Apostasy -- VOM Contacts
The Assize Court of the province of Gilan, 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 contacts. The indictment, which was issued by a public prosecutor in the presence of a jury, stated, "He has frequently denied ... 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.
Psalm 62:5-8
CHINA -- Church Building Demolished in Jiangsu Province -- China Aid Association
On Nov. 19, the Chengnan Church, which belongs to the government-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement, was destroyed by the local government in Jiangsu province, China, according to China Aid Association. The demolition came as a surprise, especially since registered churches in China do not typically face the same intensity of persecution from the government as non-registered churches. Pray for the members of this church, who are now without a building in which to worship. Pray that despite the loss of their building, they will be reassured of their lasting and more precious inheritance. Pray that God's Word will continue to be declared with boldness, love and power by all believers in China.
Hebrews 10:36-37
IRAQ -- Three Christians Killed in Mosul -- Assyrian International News Agency / Cable News Network
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. 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. Pray for peace in Iraq.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4