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Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1

INDIA — Church Damaged in Attack — VOM Conatcts

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

On Sept. 9, St. Francis De Sales Church in Bangalore, India, was attacked by more than 15 Hindu extremists, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Extremists armed with weapons broke into the church, damaged window panes and statues inside the church. A house behind the church was damaged. The church has about 3,000 members who attend services conducted in different languages such as Tamil, Malayalam and English. Following the attack, the church priests, Father Aloysius and Father Selvaraj, filed a complaint with the police. The Voice of the Martyrs supports and assists persecuted believers in India. VOM ministers to persecuted believers by providing emergency medical treatment and ministry resources like motorbikes for pastors. Ask God to encourage the leaders and members of this church. Ask God to protect and encourage Christians in India as they share the Good News of Jesus.

PAKISTAN — Teenager Abducted by Muslims — VOM Contacts

Psalm 91:1-5

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler[a] And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

On Sept. 16, The Voice of the Martyrs received reports that Sidra, a Christian teenage girl, was abducted by Muslims in Pakistan. The Voice of the Martyrs contacts reported she was with family members when 16 Muslims isolated her and her brother, and then beat him badly and abducted her. Sidra’s father and mother are frantic and are requesting prayer for their daughter’s safe return. This is the second time Sidra has been abducted by Muslims. In February 2008, she was abducted while getting ready for school and was held in captivity for eight months. While being held Sidra was violated and Muslims attempted to force her to deny Christ, but she refused. Recently the family was holding prayer meetings in their neighborhood and praying for Muslims in their home. They believe this upset local Muslims and led to the abduction.

CHINA — Believers Assaulted, Church Destroyed — China Aid Association

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

On Sept. 13, a mob of more than 400 people, including Chinese officials, barged into the Good News Cloth Shoes Factory on the site of the Fushan Church building in Linfin City, Shanxi province, according to China Aid Association. The officials used two construction vehicles to tear the building's foundation and also attacked church members who were sleeping on the site. Believers were assaulted with bricks and other blunt objects. The attackers smashed windows, doors and appliances, and looted church members' money, cell phones, clothes and books. They also stole the factory's business license. At least ten church members were severely injured in the violence. Several were taken to the emergency room for treatment. However, the hospital was told by unidentified authorities to withhold medical treatment, including blood transfusions, from the injured church members. The factory's electricity, water supply and telephone have been terminated and guards have been placed on-site to monitor the supply lines. The Voice of the Martyrs has supported persecuted believers in China for more than 30 years. Pray that the Lord will strengthen members of the Fushan Church in their hearts, minds and bodies as they face opposition for their faith. Pray that they will demonstrate Christ's love and compassion to their persecutors.