VOM–USA Prayer Update for August 20, 2010

The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
The pangs of death surrounded me, and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears. Psalm 18:4-6

AFGHANISTAN — Christian Aid Workers Killed — The New York Times

Romans 8:34–36
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:“For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Ten members of a Christian aid team were murdered in northern Afghanistan on Aug. 5 after spending three weeks providing medical care to villagers, according to The New York Times. Six Americans, a Briton, a German and two Afghans were ambushed when they stopped to eat lunch in Sharrun Valley, in the Hindu Kush mountains of northern Afghanistan. The Taliban, who have claimed responsibility for the killings, have accused the team of being Christian missionaries and spies. However, local police think the team was robbed and killed by local criminals. Pray for all Christians in Afghanistan, and pray for God’s protection of the many relief workers risking their lives to rebuild Afghanistan and help its people. Pray that God will comfort the families of the aid workers killed in this attack. Praise God for their faithfulness to serve others for his glory.

INDONESIA — Christians Attacked During Worship — Compass Direct News

1 Thessalonians 3:6–8
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you — therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

Christians at a church in West Java, Indonesia, are demanding justice after an attack by Muslims on Aug. 8 left at least a dozen people injured, according to Compass Direct News. When 20 members of the Batak Christian Protestant Filadelfia Church gathered for Sunday worship on a church-owned plot of land in Ciketing, at least 300 members of the Islamic People's Forum (FUI) and the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) broke through a police barricade and ordered them to leave. When the church members refused, the protesters assaulted the group with sticks, stones and their bare hands. Following the attack, several church members required medical attention. The police chief said he blamed the church members because he had warned them not to hold services in the area, claiming the Christians were disturbing residents. The church has filed charges against the FUI and FPI for assault and for defiling a religion. Pray that God will heal those who were injured, and pray that Indonesian Christians will respond to these attacks in a way that glorifies God.

INDIA — Police Arrest 12 Believers — VOM Contacts

Revelation 2:9–11
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

On Aug. 15, police in Mandya district, Karnataka, India, arrested a pastor and an evangelist with India Campus Crusade for Christ, along with 10 other believers, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Pastor Satish and evangelist Ravi were conducting a service in a believer’s home when about 30 people entered the home and started attacking them and accusing them of forcibly converting locals. Police arrested the 12 Christians after the attack, and at last report they were still in detention. Pray for the pastor, evangelist and other believers in detention. Pray that their testimonies will draw non-believers into fellowship with Christ.