This is so cool!!!!

Don't forget the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13 (&20), 2005!

     I received this in my news and prayer update by Voice of the Martyrs. This is so uplifting and exactly the kind of encouragement I needed to hear. Sometimes when you're praying for the persecuted church there are dasy when you get discouraged because all you hear is the bad news. I'm so glad this story was told. Read this and get encouraged to pray for our sister and brothers in Christ under persecution for their belief in Jesus!

(Religion Today)
Although China allows "belief" in a religion, the Chinese constitution does not guarantee the right to practice that religion. Adults often face severe consequences for religious actions but generally are not required to deny their faith. However, officials attempt to weaken children's faith by encouraging them to deny Jesus altogether. According to Open Doors, Public Security Bureau officers recently burst into a Sunday school room and herded 30 children into a van. Despite the scary situation, one child started singing. The van soon was filled with song. Upon arrival at the police station, the children marched bravely into the interrogation room still singing to the Lord. Threatened with having to write "I do not believe in Jesus" 100 times before they would be released, the children instead wrote: "I believe in Jesus today. I will believe in Jesus tomorrow. I will believe in Jesus forever!" Exasperated, officials called the children's parents, some of whom denied Christ. When a widowed believer came to pick up her twin sons, she refused to deny Jesus. The officers threatened her: "If you do not deny Jesus, we will not release your sons!" The widow replied, "Well, I guess you will just have to keep them, because without Jesus, there would be no way for me to take care of them!" With no avenues left open to them, the officials said, "Take your sons and go!"

Give thanks and praise to God for the faithful witness of these children. Pray the light of their faith will brighten the spiritual darkness around them. Pray God will continue to strengthen them as they face the pressures of adulthood.

11:09 AM - Nov. 8, 2005 - post comment

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Persecution