VOM-USA Prayer Update for March 18, 2011
Here are this weeks prayer requests and we would love to know how you use these prayer requests. Do you pray for them individually, with a prayer partner or do you use them in a prayer group, Sunday school class or even at your church? Please comment and let us know.
INDIA--Attacks Against Christians Continue in Orissa State--Compass Direct News
Hindu extremists continue their attacks against ethnic minority Christians in Orissa state. In the latest incident, about 60 members of the Hindu nationalist RSS group beat one Christian unconscious and destroyed the eardrums of another. The extremists have raided prayer meetings and attacked churches, beating the Christians in attendance. Their victims have included women, including some who were pregnant, and children. Fearing more attacks, at least four families have left their village and not returned. Orissa was the scene of widespread attacks against Christians in 2008. Since Dec. 8, 2010, Christians in the Malkangiri district have been attacked 15 times. One of the worst raids was on Christmas day, when about 200 extremists burst into a church in Kovi Konda and seriously injured several Christians. Pray for all Christians in the district. Pray that they will remain strong in their faith, and ask God to heal the injured. Also pray that their persecutors will come to Christ.
Proverbs 13:16-17
IRAN--New Convert Detained in Widespread Arrests--Mohabat News
A new convert to Christianity was among the more than 20 Christians arrested over the past few months in Iran. Khalil Yarali, a new believer, was arrested Jan. 15, 2011, in Ahwaz, Iran. Ahwaz is in southwestern Iran, about 500 miles from Tehran. Khalil had reported to the headquarters of the intelligence office in Ahwaz several times over the course of three weeks, after being summoned by security police. When he reported on Jan. 15, he was detained. After his arrest, security personnel went to Khalil's house and confiscated some of his belongings. Khalil was held in solitary confinement for 28 days before being transferred to Karoon Prison. He has undergone intense interrogation but has not been charged. Authorities have given no explanation for his arrest. Please pray for Khalil and his family. Pray also for the other Iranian believers who were arrested in the mass sweep during December and January.
Psalm 44:22-26
VIETNAM--Families of Prisoners Suffering and Waiting--VOM Sources
The families of Christian prisoners in Vietnam face many difficulties, including financial hardship and sickness. In addition, wives are left without husbands and children without fathers. Families are rarely able to visit their imprisoned family member, and children can't afford to go to school because the family has no income. A VOM worker in Vietnam recently sent reports on 51 families of prisoners. The wife of one Christian prisoner said, "In the prison camp, my husband has not enough food to eat but has to work hard." Another wife of a prisoner said, "Our family keeps faithful to God, although sometimes we are weak." The workers who visit the families of prisoners have a difficult and dangerous job bringing encouragement to the families. They travel to many villages to meet the families and help arrange visits to the prisons, which are often far away. "Thank you for helping us," wrote one family member. "May God give you and your family his abundant blessings." Pray for the release of Christians in Vietnam. Pray also for the families of prisoners, that their physical needs will be met and that they will be encouraged through the Holy Spirit.
Jeremiah 49:11