VOM-USA Prayer Update for March 2, 2012
This week we have some praises and prayer requests that you can share easily with your friends, family and church members. We rejoice that Li Ying has been set free from her prison sentence and we pray for God's hand of blessing to be on her. We also pray for Pastor Youcef, Asia Bibi, Gao and others who remain in prison.
Thank you all for caring enough to pray for the following requests.
China--Li Ying Released from Prison
Sources: VOM Sources, China Aid Association
Philemon 1:3-5
Christian activist and journalist Li Ying was released from prison in China on Dec. 25, 2011, just three years shy of completing a 15-year sentence she received because of her work on an underground Christian magazine. Li was arrested in April 2001 along with 16 others from the South China Church. China Aid Association founder and president Bob Fu spoke with Li on Friday, Feb. 10. Li is very grateful for the support she received from around the world. She told Fu that she was aware of the many letters she had received but that authorities never let her see the letters. Li reiterated her thanks to her worldwide supporters. Continue to pray for Li Ying, who is under police surveillance and has been told not to leave her village.
Israel--Jerusalem Church Vandalized
Sources: VOM Contacts, Ynet.com, Haaretz.com
Matthew 5:39
A Jerusalem church was vandalized last week in the most recent in a series of attacks targeting both Christians and Muslims. On Monday, Feb. 20, vandals spray-painted "Death to Christianity" and "Price tag" on the wall of the west Jerusalem Baptist Narkis Street Congregation church. The graffiti also included profanity about Jesus. In addition, vandals slashed the tires of several vehicles parked in the church compound. "Price tag" attacks are carried out all over Israel by Jewish extremists. The term is used to suggest that vandalism is the "price" that must be paid by non-Jews for the evacuation and demolition of Jewish settlements. Police think the recent vandalism was carried out by a lone individual rather than an organized group. When asked about the attack, a VOM contact in Israel said, "Jesus told us persecution would happen, and he told us to forgive when it does happen."
Indonesia--President Fails to Enforce Ruling in Church's Favor
Source: Compass Direct News
John 16:33
Indonesia's president has declined to enforce a Supreme Court ruling that the Yasmin Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) be allowed to worship in its building. The Bogor City church has been battling with city officials over the use of its property since 2008. In December 2010, the Supreme Court ordered that the church's building permit be reinstated, but the Bogor mayor has refused to comply. Despite the court rulings, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Feb. 13, 2012, that he was handing the matter back to the Bogor municipal government and the Ministry of Religion. The church had been meeting outdoors on the frontage property between the church building and the road, but city officials recently forbade them from meeting there. Since then, the church and its supporters have met three times in front of the National Palace.