“Half a dozen men on their knees for 60 minutes waiting upon the Lord with the absolute conviction that they have no answer, that their human ideas and programmes are ineffective and bankrupt – they will accomplish more than 50 men around a table discussing problems for a whole year.” Alan Redpath
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3
CHINA — House Church Leader Sentenced to 15 Years — China Aid Association- Psalm 91: 1–6
- 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, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
On Nov. 7, house church leader Alimujiang Yimiti, 36, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for “providing state secrets to overseas organizations,” according to China Aid Association. Alimuijiang’s sentence was unexpected by both his lawyers and family. He was read his sentence at Kashgar Detention Center, where he had been held for the past two years without a verdict or sentence. Officials have changed the charges against him several times, and his case was transferred through numerous courts before the 15-year sentence was handed down. . On Jan. 11, 2008, Alimujiang was formally detained and charged by the Bureau of State Security of Kashgar with “suspicion of harming national security.” On Feb. 20, 2009, the charges were changed to “suspicion of instigating separatism and providing national secrets or intelligence to overseas organizations or individuals.” He faced these charges in a secret trial in the Kashgar Intermediate Court on May 27, 2009. “This is the harshest sentence against house church believers in nearly a decade,” said Bob Fu, president of China Aid. “The whole world should be appalled at this injustice against the innocent Christian leader Alimujiang. We call upon the U.N. and people of conscience throughout the world to strongly protest to the Chinese government for this severe case of religious persecution.” Pray for Alimujiang’s wife and two children, whom he has not seen in more than two years. Ask God to encourage and protect them during this difficult time. Praise God for Alimujiang’s faith and courage.
SRI LANKA — Mob Attacks Church — VOM Canada- Matthew 5:43-48
- “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
About 200 suspected Buddhists stormed the Our Lady Rosa Mystica Church building in Croos Watta, Sri Lanka, on Dec. 6. Assailants destroyed the interior of the building as well as construction materials in the attack. They also tried to assault the priest. He escaped unharmed, but his vehicle was burned in the violence. As word spread of the attack, about 500 local believers blocked the nearby main road in protest, demanding that police arrest the culprits. At last report, one arrest had been made. Local Christians think the attack was due to the growing number of believers in the area and the recent resumption of a construction project to expand the church. Last year, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court overturned a police decision to halt the construction. The church has been attacked twice in recent years by suspected Buddhist militants — once in 2006 and again in 2007. Thank the Lord that no one was injured in the attack. Pray that these church members will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them.
PAKISTAN — Praise: Sandul and Gulsher Masih Released From Prison — VOM Contacts- Psalm 23:1–5
- The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Praise God! After months in prison Sandul and Gulsher Masih have been released from prison. The court found them innocent from charges of blasphemy against the Quran. We thank God for His provision and for sustaining them during this trial. Continue to pray for other Christians imprisoned in Pakistan and other restricted nations.
