VOM-USA Prayer Update for March 4, 2011
This weeks three prayer requests. Please pray and share with your network of praying friends.
INDIA -- Pastor Attacked -- Release International
Pastor Hari Shankar Ninama, 65, was attacked by at least 10 men in Ambarunda village, Rajasthan, in northwest India. His attackers seized him while he was praying for a sick child in the village. The men, who accused him of forced conversions, stripped him and beat him with wooden clubs and their fists. They told him they would kill him if he continued his evangelism. Then they fled, leaving the pastor to walk naked to the nearest police station, five miles away. Fearing retaliatory attacks, Pastor Ninama's family asked the police not to investigate the beating. Extremists have threatened to burn down his daughter's house if the police prosecute. Pastor Ninama's 40-member house church has not met since the attack, and Christians in the village fear more attacks. Attacks against pastors or church members have also occurred in five other Indian states so far this year. Thank God that Pastor Ninama wants to continue his ministry. Pray that God will use this event to strengthen the faith of the believers in Ambarunda. Colossians 4:2
SUDAN -- Islamists Suspected in Girl's Abduction -- Compass Direct News
Hiba Abdelfadil Anglo, the 15-year-old daughter of a Christian widow in northern Sudan, was kidnapped by suspected Islamic extremists in Khartoum eight months ago. The girl disappeared while returning from the Ministry of Education on June 27, 2010. Her mother, Ikhlas Anglo, a member of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church in Khartoum, said her daughter had gone to the education ministry office to get her transcripts for entry to secondary school. Two days after Hiba disappeared, her family received threatening telephone calls and text messages from the kidnappers demanding 1,500 Sudanese pounds ($560) for her return. Ikhlas and others say they believe the kidnappers are Muslim extremists who have targeted them because they are Christians. When Ikhlas tried to report her daughter's abduction to police, they bluntly told her she must first leave Christianity for Islam. During this ordeal, Ikhlas also lost her job. Christians in northern Sudan fear what the future may hold for them after the Christian majority south secedes to become a new nation in July. Pray for the safe return of Hiba Abdelfadil Anglo, and ask God to take care of her family. Pray for Sudan as its leaders determine how to divide the country. Ephesians 6:18
AFGHANISTAN -- Believer Remains in Afghan Prison -- VOM Sources
Shoaib Assadullah has been in prison in Afghanistan for four months, accused of apostasy and expecting a death sentence. He was arrested Oct. 21 after giving a New Testament to a man who later reported him to authorities. While in prison, Shoaib has been attacked physically and threatened with death by other prisoners, and he is under severe psychological pressure. Shoaib became a Christian five years ago, and authorities are pushing him to recant his faith. His father, who is not a believer, visits regularly and can't understand why Shoaib won't recant and get on with his life. In a Feb. 17 letter, Shoaib wrote that he expects to be executed soon. "The court's decision is most definitely going to be the death penalty for me," he said. Pray that Shoaib will not be discouraged and that he will put his whole trust in God. Pray that he will feel compassion for his persecutors and that the Lord will give him the right words to use in sharing salvation with other prisoners. Psalm 66:19