VOM-USA Prayer Update for October 1, 2010
October 1, 2010
Posted by
The Voice of the Martyrs
Categories
PAKISTAN -- Bibles, Hymnals and Church Property Burned -- VOM Contacts
On Sept. 19, Islamic extremists broke into the Philadelphia Pentecostal Church in Sharif Town, Karachi City, Pakistan, and set fire to Bibles, hymnals, a musical instrument and a table, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The church, which is led by Pastors George Rakha and Peter Shahzad, was established six years ago and is actively involved in Muslim evangelism. "At 4 a.m., some fanatics broke the lock of the church door and entered the church," VOM contacts reported. "They burned three crosses, nine Bibles, five books of worship songs, a table and a musical instrument Tabla [local drum]." On Sept. 20, the Christian community displayed a banner protesting the burning of their Bibles. Christians believe this incident was a reaction to an American pastor's widely publicized threat to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11. Christian leaders in the U.S. spoke out against the pastor’s plan to burn the Quran, and he ultimately decided against it. But it seems that no Muslim leaders spoke out against the burning of Bibles in Pakistan. Pray for believers in Pakistan who courageously live for Christ in the midst of opposition. Pray that believers' testimonies and love for Christ will draw their Muslim neighbors into fellowship with Christ.
CHINA -- Pastor Detained at Trial of House Church Leaders -- China Aid Association
Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan and his wife, along with several other believers, were detained on Sept. 20 while attending court proceedings for imprisoned Christians Liu Yunhua and Gao Jianli in Xuchang, Henan province, according to China Aid Association. Pastor Zhang, who has been imprisoned previously, was released a few hours later with his wife. Other Christians, including the son of defendant Liu Yunhua, were detained by authorities on their way home from the trial. At last report, these believers were still in detention. Pray for the release of the detained believers, and pray that God will grant patience and faith to Liu and Gao throughout their trial. Ask God to continue to equip and embolden Pastor Zhang in his ministry.
Romans 5:10–12
On Sept. 19, Islamic extremists broke into the Philadelphia Pentecostal Church in Sharif Town, Karachi City, Pakistan, and set fire to Bibles, hymnals, a musical instrument and a table, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The church, which is led by Pastors George Rakha and Peter Shahzad, was established six years ago and is actively involved in Muslim evangelism. "At 4 a.m., some fanatics broke the lock of the church door and entered the church," VOM contacts reported. "They burned three crosses, nine Bibles, five books of worship songs, a table and a musical instrument Tabla [local drum]." On Sept. 20, the Christian community displayed a banner protesting the burning of their Bibles. Christians believe this incident was a reaction to an American pastor's widely publicized threat to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11. Christian leaders in the U.S. spoke out against the pastor’s plan to burn the Quran, and he ultimately decided against it. But it seems that no Muslim leaders spoke out against the burning of Bibles in Pakistan. Pray for believers in Pakistan who courageously live for Christ in the midst of opposition. Pray that believers' testimonies and love for Christ will draw their Muslim neighbors into fellowship with Christ.
CHINA -- Pastor Detained at Trial of House Church Leaders -- China Aid Association
Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan and his wife, along with several other believers, were detained on Sept. 20 while attending court proceedings for imprisoned Christians Liu Yunhua and Gao Jianli in Xuchang, Henan province, according to China Aid Association. Pastor Zhang, who has been imprisoned previously, was released a few hours later with his wife. Other Christians, including the son of defendant Liu Yunhua, were detained by authorities on their way home from the trial. At last report, these believers were still in detention. Pray for the release of the detained believers, and pray that God will grant patience and faith to Liu and Gao throughout their trial. Ask God to continue to equip and embolden Pastor Zhang in his ministry.
Romans 5:10–12