Please pray for Christians in Vietnam – World Watch List #21

Please pray for the Persecuted Church in Vietnam – World Watch List #21 (Open Doors USA)

Vietnam Map
Vietnam

VIETNAM (Wikipedia)

Population: 89.7 million (9.7 million Christians)
Main Religion: Buddhism
Government: Communist state
Source of Persecution: Communist oppression/dictatorial paranoia

Vietnam womenChristians are perceived as Western agents and the state, with the help of tribal leaders, watches churches closely. The government requires permits for larger gatherings and issues them last minute – if at all – to deter people from attending. Converts from Buddhism come under pressure from family and community, and authorities in tribal areas often hire gangsters to harass pastors and new believers. The government has begun placing more restrictions on Christians in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Vietnam woman and childPLEASE PRAY: More than a dozen believers were imprisoned in 2012.

  • Pray for strength and perseverance for Christians in prison.
  • Pray for Christians from ethnic minority groups, like the Hmong, who face great pressure to return to traditional beliefs.
  • Pray for safety for those distributing Open Doors’ Illustrated Children’s Bible. Importing Christian materials is prohibited.

PERSECUTION DYNAMICS

Vietnam streetVietnam is one of the remaining countries in the world following a Communist ideology. The authorities still perceive Christianity as a foreign influence and Christians from a tribal background like the Hmong face pressure to return to traditional faith, especially in rural areas. Gatherings are suspected as meetings to plot against the government and are closely monitored.

Obtaining recognition for churches or permission to renovate a church building is a long process. In 2012, at least seven churches, all Catholic, were confiscated. Training of leaders has to be done secretly and integrating converts has to be done very cautiously. Importing Christian materials is prohibited. Christians face violence and are sent to prison, not officially because of their faith, but because of ‘anti-government’ propaganda. It is unlikely that the situation will change substantially in the coming years.

ANECDOTAL ACCOUNT – “Vietnamese Authorities Hire Gangsters to Harass Christians” (Open Doors)

Pastor Training
Pastor Training

“Kneel! Kneel!” shouted a village thug. Unfazed by the threats, Pastor Vinh* stood his ground. In Vinh’s culture, kneeling is seen as an admission of guilt. Although authorities prohibited planting of new churches, Vinh would not allow their threats to stop him from spreading the gospel message.

“He was one of the most promising students in the class,” explained by Vinh’s spiritual mentor. “He was very passionate to share God’s word and had a deep love for Jesus.”

The leader of the gang began battering Vinh’s knee with a lead pipe in an attempt to force the pastor to his knees. The tall and well-built, 24-year-old Bible school student endured the series of blows and still refused to kneel. Continue reading “Please pray for Christians in Vietnam – World Watch List #21” →

Amazing Story of Jeff Markin and Obedience in Prayer

Peanut Gallery: With God, all things are possible when we follow the leading of his Spirit. Watch this amazing story…

Who needs your prayer today? Pray now….

Morning Reading: Acts 3.1-11 NLT – get up and walk

Reading: Acts 3:1-11 NLT

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.

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As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.

But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk!

Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.

When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Forgive my timidity… my self-consciousness… my unbelief. I am so worried about looking foolish if nothing happens, that I don’t even try to offer healing in your name… especially in a public setting like the Beautiful Gate. And in the end, everyone loses… no one gets healed… no one’s life is changed… no one praises God… and no one sees your power at work in real life.

Holy Spirit – Give me the heart and mind of Peter and John… to discern the real problem… and, with boldness, to offer a healing solution. Help me to get over myself, and focus on what you want to do.

Heavenly Father – May I honor you in all things… and bring glory to your name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Healing Rain” – Michael W Smith

In awe of God’s Creation – The Unseen Sea – A time lapse video of San Francisco Bay – Ceata pe ocean – Coplesit de creatia lui Dumnezeu

Peanut Gallery: Our God is an Awesome God….

rodi's avataragnus dei - english + romanian blog

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More videos, most of them being time lapse videos

The Unseen Sea

VIDEO from Simon Christen – The Unseen Sea

 

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5000 Young Catholics fill Salzburg Cathedral with Passionate Prayer

5000 Young Catholics fill Salzburg Cathedral with Passionate Prayer

Ian Nicholson, May 29th, 2013

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A team from 24-7 Prayer and Alpha recently spent a remarkable weekend celebrating Pentecost with the Loretto movement in Austria at Pfingsten 13. There was an overwhelming sense that God’s kingdom is much bigger and broader than we imagine and that the Holy Spirit is full of surprises!

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Salzburg Cathedral

Loretto began as a small group of young catholic students in 1987 who were hungry for the reality of God and turned to prayer. Several years later they experienced a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit and the movement has now spread throughout Austria and is spilling over into the surrounding nations.

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A few years ago the leaders read ‘Red Moon Rising’ and 24-7 Prayer Rooms are now at the heart of Loretto’s vision and growth. The desire is to create places of prayer where lives are transformed by the presence of Jesus and thousands of young people are involved. Alongside this several Loretto communities are emerging around the nation.The Salzburg celebration is the big event of the Loretto calendar and is growing year by year. Over 5000 young people crammed into Salzburg Cathedral and the deep humility and singleminded passion for the presence of God was both challenging and encouraging. At one point 200 young people gave their lives to Jesus and there were commitments to start 100 prayer rooms around Austria.

Pete Greig spoke on the Saturday morning on the importance of prayer Continue reading “5000 Young Catholics fill Salzburg Cathedral with Passionate Prayer” →