"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Prayers for January 22, 2008
From The Voice of the Martyrs


PAKISTAN Pastor Killed -- VOM Sources

On January 17, a pastor was shot and killed by an unknown person in Peshawar, Pakistan. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, the pastor had worked with the Assembly of God Church in Peshawar, for the past 10 years. He is survived by his wife and a one-year-old daughter. Pray for this grieving family and church. Ask God to comfort believers in Peshawar and for this pastor's family to realize that to be absent from the body is to be present with Him. Psalm 27:1, Psalm 23


ETHIOPIA Christian Family's House Bombed -- VOM Sources

On January 12, a home belonging to a Christian family was bombed in the southeastern city of Jijiga. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "Terefe Feleke, his wife and their two children were in the house at the time of the attack, thankfully none of them were seriously hurt. The roof of the house was destroyed by the bomb blast. While searching the compound, the police found another bomb set to explode a few hours later." Praise God, this family was kept from serious harm. Pray for Christians in Jijiga, where Muslims have recently mounted attacks against Christians in an attempt to drive them out of the region. Pray believers in this area will remain faithful and demonstrate Christ's love to their persecutors. Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7


INDIA Hindu Extremists Injure Nearly 100 -- Compass Direct News

On January 16, more than 80 people were injured in an attack on a large Christian meeting in Chhattisgarh state. According to Compass Direct News, the attack was followed by an assault on a missionary camp in Dhamtari district that hurt at least a dozen Christians. "The Hindu attacks come within weeks of unprecedented anti-Christian violence in neighboring Orissa state. In Chhattisgarh's Durg district violence, Christians said it was no coincidence that Hindu nationalist extremists launched the attack as the political arm of the militants, the Bharatiya Janata Party, was holding a public meeting in the area," Compass Direct reported. Pray for the safety of believers in India. Ask God to heal and encourage them to remain courageous despite attacks and increased persecution. Pray the testimonies of these faithful believers will draw non- believers into fellowship with Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:19, Isaiah 26:3


CHINA House Church Leaders Released From Labor Camp - China Aid Association

On January 8, four house church leaders were released from a labor camp in Hubei province, China. According to China Aid Association, the Hubei Provincial Re-education Through Labor Administration Committee decided to repeal a decision by the Re-education Through Labor Administration Committee, to keep the leaders in prison. Four male and five female church leaders were arrested on August 6, 2007, when they were found having a Sunday worship service. They were accused of the "crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of state laws." Three female leaders are still being held. Praise God for the release of the four house churches. Pray for the families and leaders who are still in prison. Ask God to give them courage during this difficult time, and for their lives to be a testimony to their persecutors. Psalm 23, Proverbs 3:5, 6

I grieve at two different thoughts:

1) that we've become desensitized to hearing news like this or

2) we don't think about the reality that this happening to people that are actually in the body of Christ (our brethren), so we don't really care too much.



Lord, come quickly.