VOM News and Prayer Update: October 2, 2007

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."(Hebrews 4:16)

MYANMAR
VOM Calls for Prayer for Christians in Myanmar - VOM Sources
The Voice of the Martyrs is calling on believers around the world to pray for Christians being affected by the continued unrest in Myanmar (Burma). According to VOM contacts, the government is targeting anyone with influence, and churches have not been spared. VOM contacts report, "Churches cannot meet. We are quietly meeting in small groups of no more than five to pray for our country. China reports five people have been killed, the British Broadcasting Corporation is saying about 10 have been killed, but our people have seen hundreds of bodies and many more filling the hospitals." Pray for the protection and safety of Christians in Myanmar. Pray the Holy Spirit will convict the hearts of the government officials and that the testimony of believers will draw others into fellowship with Christ. Psalm 27:1, Joshua 1:9

INDIA
Pastor Attacked and Church Burned in North India - VOM Sources
On September 16, Pastor Virendra and his wife, Bhawana, were attacked by Hindu extremists while on their way to a church meeting. They remain steadfast in their faith and say they will continue holding church services despite the attack. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, "The attackers intercepted the pastor's motorcycle and threw him and his wife off and began to beat them with fists, sticks and rocks. One believer who was on his way to the meeting came along the road just as one of the persecutors raised a large rock over the pastor's head, intending to smash his skull." VOM contacts added, "The believer was able to push the rock backwards, saving the pastor from death. At another point someone was ready to smash [the pastor's] head with a large stick, but his wife intercepted it and he was again saved from death. Pastor Virendra and his wife were beaten for more than 20 minutes, before they finally escaped.

Praise God, Pastor Virendra and his wife were not severely wounded. Pray for God's protection for Christians in India, who continuously risk their lives for the sake of the gospel. Ask for the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of the persecutors and draw them into the knowledge of Christ. Philippians 4:8, Psalm 118:17

ERITREA
Evangelist Arrested - VOM Sources
The Voice of the Martyrs recently received information that Mussie Ezaz, an evangelist in the Kale Hiwot Church of Eritrea, was arrested from his home in the capital city of Asmara, and imprisoned this past week. The evangelist has been in full-time ministry for more than a decade. Pray God encourages and provides for Ezaz and his family. Ask God to give him boldness in the midst of his suffering and that his testimony will draw non- believers into fellowship with Christ. Romans 8:31, Psalm 91

Spain and Teresa

This morning I was contemplating the three virtues that Teresa of Avilla (Spain) sought in regards to her growth in Christ, the three virtues she valued as non-negotiable to find greater intimacy and true friendship with Jesus. She prayed that the Holy Spirit would work these into her inwardly, and fasted to keep her heart tender before Him as she requested:

1) Love for others
2) Detachment from things
3) Humility

When I checked my email later, my mom had sent me a powerpoint presentation of images from the country of Spain, which was profoundly timely. Above is one of them... grace to my readers today.

Tullis alert

We've had the joyful opportunity to catch up with our dear friends Wes and Sandi Tullis in recent days; they are in town from Colorado Springs for the MorningStar conference. We don't see the Tullises often enough, for sure, but it seems like every time we get together something shifts... new ground is taken or new direction is confirmed. Their hearts are so joined to the house of prayer, there's a keen sense of family when we're together.

Moravian daily text

I have been receiving the Moravian daily text for several years. Today's verses:

Tuesday, October 2
Psalm 114
Ezekiel 4:6-6:7; Hebrews 10:19-31

You have given human beings dominion over the works of your hands; you
have put all things under their feet. Psalm 8:6

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the
Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

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Iceland house of prayer conference

We leave in a month for Iceland where I'll be on the faculty for the house of prayer conference. I received an email today from the national leader for Womens Aglow in Iceland; she is wanting to meet when we are there for the conference and sounds very glad that night and day prayer is starting to emerge in her country.

Worship and warfare conference

MorningStar's Worship and Warfare conference kicked off this AM... the house is rocking.