PRAYER UPDATE
VOM-USA Prayer Update for November 13, 2009
IRAN - Church Closed :: Farsi Christian News Network
The Central Assemblies of God Church has been forced to shut down its Friday afternoon services and can hold only two services on Sundays, Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) reported. The church, which is the largest public and formal gathering of Iranian Christians in Iran, was forced to close by the Iranian Ministry of Information. "Reverend Soorik … has been under ongoing pressure from the officials of the Ministry of Information to close down the church on Fridays, the official weekly holiday in Iran, and lately was warned that the Pasdaran Militia (The Revolutionary Guards) had been demanding the closure of the church," FCNN reported. The Rev. Soorik decided to close the church voluntarily instead of waiting for security officials to close it. According to FCNN, the Assyrian Pentecostal Church of Shahrara was shut down in 2008. It had offered services on Fridays and Sundays in the Farsi language to Farsi speaking Iranians for more than eight years. The government has not given reasons for shutting down the services, but believers in Iran think the recent wave of media and Web-based attacks on Christian media, satellite channels, and evangelistic activities demonstrate the Iranian government’s intent to prevent Christians from worshiping. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with and supports persecuted believers in Iran. VOM encourages you to pray for believers who face challenges daily as they live for Christ with courage and faith.
2 Thessalonians 1:5–8
CHINA - UPDATE: Expelled Student Invited Back to School :: China Aid Association
Chen Le, a 17-year-old high school student who was expelled from school because of his Christian faith, was invited on Oct. 29 to return to school, according to the China Aid Association. On Oct. 28, the Party Secretary of the High School Division and several other party members and instructors from the Huashan Middle School visited Chen Le at his home and politely invited him to return to his studies. The Party Secretary was reportedly deeply concerned by international pressure caused by the expulsion. Praise God for Chen Le’s courage and for this positive outcome. Pray that God will protect and encourage him as he continues to stand for Christ.
Matthew 5:11–12
ETHIOPIA - Evangelists Released from Prison :: Compass Direct News
Two Ethiopian Christians who were sentenced to prison in July on false charges of paying people to convert to Christianity were released on Oct. 23, according to Compass Direct News. Temesgen Alemayehu’s and Tigist Welde Amanuel's six-month prison sentences had been reduced to fines of 500 birr (approximately US $37) several weeks earlier, but before they could be set free they were accused by fellow inmates of insulting the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. They were then sent back to detention, where Alemayehu was reportedly denied medical treatment for a kidney infection. A judge later rejected the new charges against them, finding the evidence to be contradictory. Upon their release, Amanuel stated, "Through prayers and God's intervention, we are now released from prison. We thank those who prayed on our behalf." Praise God for their release, and pray for their protection.
Psalm 91:1–6
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