Voice of the Martyrs prayer update

West Bank—Muslims Oppose Christian Youth Center—VOM Sources

John 1:8

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

A Christian mission in Bethlehem faces opposition from neighbors and city leaders over a youth center it has established in a Muslim neighborhood. Pastor Steven Khoury of Holy Land Missions (HLM) said his father, Naim Khoury, was summoned to the courthouse recently and warned that carrying out Christian work in the town of Shepherd’s Field would lead to trouble. But the trouble had already begun. Muslim extremist neighbors of an HLM youth center have verbally attacked two youth leaders and vandalized the building’s locks. They also threatened to attack Pastor Naim and said they would “break the legs” of anyone who enters the youth center. Outreach and prayer meetings are scheduled to begin at the youth center next week. Pray that God will protect those working at the youth center as well as those who attend. Ask God to make the center a shining light in a dark region.

China—Millions Attend Religious Festivals—China Aid Association

1 Thessalonians 1:2–3

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father…

China Aid recently reported that a Shouwang Church member who works for the Christian ministry World Vision faced possible dismissal for her participation in the unregistered church’s activities. Shouwang Church has attempted to hold outdoor worship services for the past three months, in protest against government interference of the church’s worship sites. Church member Xia Xiaoqiu was detained several times in recent weeks after attending Shouwang’s outdoor worship services. Xia said the government was urging her employer, the Beijing office of World Vision, to pressure her to quit her job with the ministry. Recently, World Vision contacted China Aid, assuring them that Xia’s “job position is secure and that World Vision has not been under pressure by the government of China to change that in any way.” Pray for Xia and other Chinese Christians who are under great pressure for choosing to worship at unofficial churches.

Egypt—Copts and Muslims at Odds Over Kidnapping Case—Assyrian International News Agency, www.thedailynewsegypt.com

1 Chronicles 16:35

And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation;
   Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
   To give thanks to Your holy name,
   To triumph in Your praise.”

Persecution against Christians in Uzbekistan increased last month — from raids to fines to literature confiscation — underscoring the need to remember the nation’s believers in prayer. Tohar Haydarov, 27, has been imprisoned since his arrest in March 2010 and is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for the “illegal sale of narcotic or psychotropic substances in large quantities.” It is widely believed that the charges were fabricated as a means of punishing Tohar for his religious activity. At last report, he had appealed the prison sentence but there had been no indication of progress. Pray that comfort and peace will reign in Tohar as he suffers for his faith. Pray that he will be assured that he is not forgotten, but that he is loved and remembered by God and His people. Pray that the charges against Tohar will be dropped and that he will be released.