This morning as my husband and I were having our morning devotions and prayer time, we prayed for the persecuted church and were remembering our brethren who are in chains. This got me thinking about how the Persecution Podcast is really a very helpful resource for focusing our prayers. Every week we post a podcast so that you can hear directly from the staff of The Voice of the Martyrs about what is happening behind the scenes and specifically about some of the recent prayer requests we have from around the world.

This week we have prayer requests from Pakistan, Israel and Afghanistan. I would also ask you all to keep Christians in Nigeria in your prayers, as not only has violence continued to increase, but even our workers, at The Voice of the Martyrs, have left for safety reasons. Please share with your friends, church and family.

Read Genesis 39.

Have you heard the term “first world problem?” It refers to the annoyances and “problems” we have because of our wealth and possessions. These are “problems” many people in the developing nations would be happy to have. An example of a first world problem would be not being able to find a matching chair for a new sofa, a restaurant running out of your favorite dessert or having too many options to choose from at the supermarket.

Please take time to pray for the following needs from this weeks prayer update.

NIGERIA -- Christians Killed in Christmas Eve Attacks -- VOM Contacts / Compass Direct NewsOn Christmas Eve, five explosions near Jos killed 31 people and severely injured more than 50 others. The explosions occurred in the Christian suburbs of Kadong and Kada Bui as people shopped in outdoor markets. Also on Christmas Eve, a Baptist pastor, the Rev. Bulus Marwa, and five other Christians were killed during attacks on Victory Baptist Church in Alemderi and a Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) congregation in Sinimari. Both churches are in the mostly Muslim Borno state, in northeastern Nigeria. The Islamic extremist group Boko Haram reportedly claimed responsibility for the explosions near Jos as well as the church attacks in Borno state. Tensions remain high in Jos, Plateau state, which lies on the dividing line between the majority Muslim north and mostly Christian south, and in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. Christians in these areas have been under attack for decades. Please pray for the families of those killed in the bombings and church attacks, and pray that God will heal the injured. Pray that the love and grace of Jesus Christ will be evident in the words and actions of Christians living in these troubled areas and that Christians will respond to their Muslim neighbors with love rather than revenge.Romans 8:35-39BANGLADESH -- Christians Threatened Over Christmas Worship -- Compass Direct NewsA Buddhist political group, The United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), threatened Christians in the Khagrachari district, about 180 miles southeast of Dhaka, Bangladesh, prohibiting them from holding Christmas services, according to an anonymous source. "They threatened the Christians, telling them not to celebrate Christmas in the village and not to do any other Christian activities," the source said. "The UPDF members warned the Christians that if they celebrated Christmas, they would be in grave trouble. They warned the pastor not to take care of the congregation and ordered him to go back to his previous religion, Buddhism." Christian elders told the UPDF leader by telephone that they had arranged food for around 100 people, but the UPDF members allowed them to eat only their rice and curry. "The UPDF leader threatened them, saying, 'If you worship today, it will land you in unforeseeable consequences,'" the source said. The pastor and some members of nearby Shuknachari Baptist Church have been living like refugees for several months due to threats from the armed UPDF. Of 18 Christian families in the village, only seven or eight families have maintained their faith in Christ in the face of this opposition, with the others returning to Buddhism under compulsion. Pray that God will grant strength and courage to the believers in this part of Bangladesh.2 Corinthians 12:10

INDONESIA -- House Churches Closed -- VOM ContactsOn Dec. 12, seven house churches were forcibly closed in West Java, Indonesia, by Muslim extremists who claimed the buildings were being used for "illegal church meetings," according to VOM contacts. Between 200 and 300 extremists from the Islam Protector Front, Moslem Forum and Islamic Reformation Movement gathered outside the houses and demanded to inspect the buildings. The extremists said the buildings, which were being used by the Protestant Batak Christian Huria Church, could not be used for Christian worship services, and they told the congregation to meet elsewhere. The owners of the houses were told they could remain in their homes but could no longer open their homes for Christian worship services. Ask God to use this incident to strengthen the members of this church. Pray that they will demonstrate Christ’s love to those who oppose them and that their faith will be a light that helps guide others to the Lord. Pray that persecuted Christians in Indonesia will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in faith and not grow weary or lose heart.Hebrews 10:32-39CHINA -- Worship Service Raided in Hunan Province -- China Aid AssociationChinese authorities raided a house church on Dec. 12 in the city of Changsha, Hunan Province, according to China Aid Association. Dozens of believers from the Hope Church in Changsha were gathered for worship when police officers and government officials arrived and forced them to disperse. Authorities confiscated several items belonging to the church, including the podium, chairs and air conditioner. Pastor Zing Jinfu and Minister Le were taken to a local police station and questioned for a couple of hours before being released. Pray that members of the Hope Church will be encouraged to continue worshiping together despite government harassment. Ask God to embolden all believers in China to proclaim their faith boldly and demonstrate God’s love to others in the nation.Hebrews 10:23-25INDIA -- Priest Attacked -- VOM ContactsOn Dec. 16, Fr. Thomas Chirattavayalil was attacked by a group of unknown men at his parish house, according to VOM contacts. When Fr. Thomas opened the door of the parish house, armed assailants wearing masks hit him on the head and continued to beat him as they chased him. Fr. Thomas sustained two deep wounds on his head and also received injuries to his shoulder and other parts of his body. Pray that Fr. Thomas will recover completely and that the assailants will be brought to justice.Psalm 91:1-5

This breaking news that just came out of New Jersey, saying that the ACLU won the case filed by Sharon Cadalzo who did not like the City Council opening up their meetings in prayer and also reciting The Lord's Prayer.

Last night the VOM team produced and posted a brand new episode of the Persecution Podcast. Here's a little bit more information for you.

Last Sunday, November 14, was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. VOM's Todd Nettleton was asked by his pastor to share for five minutes in his church's morning services about a recent trip he took to meet with persecuted Christians in India. Here’s what he shared: