“Those who have left the deepest impression on this sin cursed earth have been men and women of prayer. You will find that prayer has been the mighty power that has moved not only God, but man.” D L Moody
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18
NIGERIA — Pastor’s Home Attacked — VOM Contacts- Acts 9:1–18
- Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
On May 19, Muslim youths destroyed two church buildings and a pastor’s house in Northern Nigeria, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. “A Christian pastor received a phone call from one of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) missionaries, Gambo Mato, serving in a village called Kwasam, … Kano state, saying, ‘Muslim youths are now destroying my house and our church buildings; they have set my house and the church ablaze,’” VOM contacts said. The Muslim youths burned and destroyed both the new and old churches as well as the pastor’s house. “They also attacked the Christians in the village with sticks, clubs, knives and bow and arrows, but the Christians, who are mostly natives of the place, … escaped with their lives, leaving few injured,” VOM contacts said. “Praise God no one was killed.” Believers in Nigeria think the Muslims attacked because locals are converting to Christianity and Muslims do not want churches in the area. This is the latest in the ongoing attacks against believers in Nigeria. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with persecuted Christians in Nigeria and encourages you to pray for believers in this area. Pray that in the face of their terrible suffering, God’s grace will be sufficient. Pray that God will change the hearts and minds of the Muslim youths involved in these attacks, and pray for lasting peace in Nigeria.
INDONESIA — Believers Report Church Closing — VOM Contacts / kompas.com- 1 Peter 5:8–10
- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
On May 21, members of the Indonesia Christian Church (GKI) visited the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to report that local officials had stopped construction of the GKI’s building in Bogor City, Indonesia, and sealed the building, according to the Indonesian news site kompas.com and The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Church members told the NHRC that local government officials had banned their Christian activities, sealed their building and revoked their building license in February 2008. The Christians met with Johny Nelson Simanjuntak, the Investigation and Observation Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission. “There is an effort of hindering and forbidding people to do their religious activities and building their building of prayer,” Simanjuntak told kompas.com and members of the press following the meeting. “All the building procedures were already fulfilled by the church. They had received the license from the local government, and they applied the license based on the right procedures,” Simanjuntak said. He added that the NHRC had followed up with local officials but had not yet received a reply. Pray for a speedy resolution of this issue. Pray that believers will remain faithful and committed to Christ during this challenging time.
MOROCCO — Harassment and Deportation of Christians Continues — Compass Direct News- Matthew 9:36–38
- But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Moroccan officials have expelled more than 100 Christians in recent months. According to Moroccan law, foreigners who have lived in the country for more than 10 years cannot be deported unless they are accused of a crime. They also have the right to appeal the deportation order within 48 hours. However, Christians deported in recent months have been given only a few hours’ notice before being escorted to the country’s exit ports. Very few believers have been able to appeal their deportation order. Moroccan officials cite “proselytism” as the reason for the deportations. Pray for the deported believers and their families, and pray that God will encourage and protect all believers in Morocco.
