Sojourn into marvelous light: 2009-04-26

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Song from Christ for the Nations

Shepherd of my heart
take control

Lead me to still waters

restore my soul

Shepherd of my heart

lifter of my head

Let my cup run over

guide my every step

As I wait for You

Renew my love

Your beauty will forever

be my heart's delight

As I wait for You

Renew my mind

Let my deepest thoughts

be Your heart's delight

Shepherd of my heart

Calm my fears

Delight in me with singing

wipe away my tears

Shepherd of my heart

have Your way in me

As I lie in green pastures

cover me with peace

Friday, May 1, 2009

VOM–USA Prayer Update for May 1, 2009

The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6–9

PAKISTAN — Six Churches Attacked and Christian Homes Burned by the Taliban — VOM Sources

2 Corinthians 1:3–5: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

On Feb. 22, the Taliban attacked six churches, burned several Christian homes and four Bibles and injured children in Karachi, Pakistan, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Eye witnesses reported the Taliban shouting, “Accept Islam, Accept Islam, LA ILAHA ILL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASOOL ALLAH,” meaning there is no god, only Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. The churches attacked were: Christ United Church, Philadelphia Pentecostal Church, ARP Church, Salvation Army Church and two public churches. The Voice of the Martyrs supports persecuted believers in Pakistan. Pray for the believers who were injured in this attack and those who lost their homes. Ask God to encourage and protect believers in Pakistan who continue to stand for Him despite persecution.

SRI LANKA — Church Robbed, Pastor Threatened — National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka

Revelation 2:10: 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.

A church was robbed and a pastor threatened in Sri Lanka in recent weeks, according to reports from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. On the evening of April 5, a gang of unidentified assailants broke into a Methodist church building in the city of Dehiwela, Colombo district. Musical instruments, Bibles, hymn books and church documents, including baptism and marriage records, were stolen. Meanwhile on April 8, four Buddhist extremists gathered outside Pastor Padeep Kumara's home in the town of Weeraketiya, Hambanthota district. They demanded that he come outside and threatened to kill him. Pastor Kumara's wife, who was home with their two children, phoned her husband, but by the time he arrived home the militants had fled. Later that evening, the leader of the extremist group phoned the pastor several times and threatened to kill him if he did not leave the village by morning. He then returned to the pastor's house and threatened him with violence. When the police arrived, the extremist leader was arrested. He was released the following day and drew up a petition along with other local Buddhists against Pastor Kumara's church. The Buddhists also threatened the owner of the pastor's home with violence if he did not evict the family. The pastor's children have since been moved to a safe new location. Ask God to protect and encourage Pastor Kumara and his family. Pray that the perpetrators of these attacks will come to repentance and salvation. Ask God to enable Sri Lankan Christians to remain steadfast in the face of suffering.

CHINA — Confiscated money returned to Chinese pastor — China Aid Association

Isaiah 26:3: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Praise God! China Aid Association is reporting that on April 17 the Chinese government returned the money confiscated from Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan on March 21. "The authorities gave the money back, because of the pressure. Hallelujah! We will continue the ministry and fight for religious freedom," Pastor Bike said. Praise God for this victory. Continue praying for pastor Bike and believers in China.