"And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:10)
Prayers for December 4, 2007
From The Voice of the Martyrs
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CHINA  Forty House Church Leaders Arrested - China Aid Association
On November 18, 40 leaders of the China Gospel Fellowship (CGF) were arrested. According to a November 27 press release from China Aid Association, eyewitnesses reported Public Security Bureau officers raided a leadership meeting in Fanhu, Hunan, and arrested those present. Within a week, 21 were released, but the remaining detainees are being held at the county detention center. Family members have been told to bring blankets and money to cover their living expenses while detained. All those arrested are senior leaders of the CGF, including its founder, Pastor Shen Yiping. Pray for these detained leaders during this time. Pray that all will be released soon. Pray for the families as they not only deal with the absence of their loved ones, but also face this financial burden forced upon them. Psalm 91, Joshua 1:9
EGYPT Woman Sentenced for Professing Christianity - VOM Sources
In 1962, Nagui Ibrahim left his home and family and converted to Islam. His identity card was changed to indicate that he was officially a Muslim. At the time, his daughter, Shadia, was two years old. Three years later, he reconciled with his wife, moved home and reconverted to Christianity. Unable to legally change his identity card back to say he was a Christian, Nagui had someone forge his documents. In 1996, the forger was arrested and confessed that he had forged documents for Nagui. Police detained Nagui and told him that he was still legally a Muslim. Children in Egypt automatically take their father's religion, so Shadia was officially considered a Muslim, also. Since she had given her religion as "Christian" when she married in 1982, the courts began proceedings against her. On November 21, 2007, she was sentenced to three years in prison for "providing false information on official documents." Pray Egyptian authorities reverse this unfair decision and allow true freedom of religion in Egypt. Psalm 21:1; 2 Timothy 1:7
INDIA Church Building Demolished, Young Man Killed - Compass Direct News
On November 19, Hindu militants beat a pastor and others and demolished a house church in Mandwa village, Chhattisgarh. According to a Compass Direct News report, members of the Bajrang Dal extremist group, together with local villagers, surrounded the church, tied up Pastor Suduru Kashyap and his associates and severely beat them. The church building was also destroyed. Reports indicate they tried to kill Pastor Suduru by throwing a large stone at his head. The pastor and his associates went to the local police station where they were detained for 24 hours without food and water. They were finally released without an official complaint being registered. The following day, the body of 21-year-old Aayatu Kashyap, a distant relative of the church's pastor, was found 15 kilometers from the village. The police superintendent claims the killing was a separate incident, but told Compass Direct that villagers were angry with the pastor because he used to criticize other gods. Pray for the family of Aayatu Kashyap as they mourn his death. Pray for a full recovery of those injured in this attack. Pray for the continued ministry of this church despite the ongoing opposition they face. 3 John 2; Psalm 118:17
INDONESIA Christian Churches Attacked - Christian World News
Recently, a mob of Muslim extremists attacked a house church outside Jakarta, Indonesia, smashing glass windows and destroying property. The extremists threw bricks and stones at Christians. According to Christian World News (CWN), "Church members were hurt, including the head pastor, Lau Doloksaribu, who received two stitches in his temple." Speaking to CWN News, Doloksaribu, who heads Protestant Batak Church, said the attack was not just on his body, but the extremists had assaulted his God-given rights. He added, "The freedom to worship is a basic human right. It is not given by government or the authorities, but it is a free gift from God that should be respected by everyone. And actually, the freedom to worship is guaranteed by the law." The CWN News report stated, "Victims of the attacks say the Indonesian government is doing little to protect their right to worship without interference. Houses of worship are required to have a minimum of 90 members. They must also receive the approval of at least 60 neighbors before they legally hold services." Pray for Christians wounded in the attack and ask God to protect them. Isaiah 40:31, Romans 8:11
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