02 Nov, International Day of Prayer: The Persecuted Church (Voice of the Martyrs)

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church / 2014

Please visit Voice of the Martyrs / International Day of Prayer website for more resources – click here.

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PLEASE PRAY: The most common request of persecuted Christians is “PRAY FOR US.” One of the ways we answer their request is through participation in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), which we observe on the first Sunday of each November. Our goal is simple: We want EVERY CHURCH to “Remember them that are in bonds …” on IDOP Sunday (Heb. 13:3).

Watch VOM’s IDOP videos – click here … share with your friends … and pray for the persecuted.

Liena and her family turned down offers of asylum in Western countries after civil war broke out in Syria. They knew the cost that might be required, but they chose to remain as witnesses to their Muslim neighbors and as an encouragement to other Christians.
Liena was a dedicated Christian, faithful wife and mother of two. In her prayers, she asked God to use her to reach more people. And then God asked her to make one more commitment.

Watch the dramatic testimony of Liena’s Prayer, as she struggles with the difficult decision of how much she can offer God.
You may never pray the same again.

IRAQ: PRAYER FOR IRAQ

VOM received these prayer points from a church in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, with whom VOM is partnering to help Christians in Iraq. Please join with your brothers and sisters in the Middle East to pray for the region. For security reasons, we have removed the name of the church.

  • That we would reach the community and meet its spiritual as well as physical needs.
  • That the Church would experience an unprecedented presence of the Holy Spirit throughout this crisis to change the region, country and Middle East.
  • That individuals and the Church would experience our Almighty God’s unity and power, open heavens, and rivers flowing from the Holy Spirit to give us one shared Vision.
  • That God would grant us favor in the government’s eyes, to acquire permission for establishing a school.
  • That God would send workers for his Kingdom, as many of our services and relief deliveries have been delayed due to a shortage of workers.
  • That God would grant us wisdom in handling the Internally Displaced People (IDP) projects, and strength to those who work with them directly.
  • That God would send confusion and disagreement to those in the IS group, to stop them from inflicting more violence to the region, and that their hidden cells would be uncovered by local authorities.
  • That God would save misled young people from IS and judge the leaders who are aware and yet still misleading youth with their evil desires and ideologies.
  • That all ISIS’ financial resources would be cut off.
  • That God would comfort and encourage the Yezidi people amidst their heartbreaking genocide; that the Lord would reveal Himself to them with dreams and visions; that he would burden missionaries to serve among the remaining Yezidis.
  • That God would encourage the believers who fled from Mosul, that they’d be strong in Him, be bold to witness and never lose hope in Him.
  • That God would raise up faithful leaders in the Central Government who fear God rather than men of power and use their authority for justice.
  • That God would give wisdom to the Kurdistan Regional Government, to manage the crisis, to defend the region faithfully, and that they would realize that God raised them up to serve Him at this time – that He would reveal Himself to them.
  • That the church would pray with one heart: “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, in Heaven as well as in Kurdistan.”
  • That God would send visitations to the Shi’a in central and south Iraq, to heal their hearts and release them from idolatry.

Thank you for reading this far… and for praying for persecuted Christians around the world. May God bless you.

Syria: Rebels Seize Control of Christian Village (YouTube)

CBN News: Published on Sep 24, 2013

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“Syrian rebels have reportedly taken control of an historic Christian village near Damascus. Rebel forces led by al Qaeda-linked jihadists captured the Christian village of Maaloula, situated in the mountains just north of Damascus. The village is also known as one of the few places in the world where residents still speak Aramaic, which some scholars say is the language Jesus spoke.”

From the Heart of a Syrian Pastor ~ please pray.

Peanut Gallery: Please pray for the people of Syria.

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” Psalm 9:9-10 (NLT)

Click here for Open Door’s original post:   FROM THE HEART OF A SYRIAN PASTOR.

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Open Doors received a prayer from a pastor, one of our partners in the relief work in Syria. The prayer, which is both moving and heartbreaking, gives an insight into the suffering of those who have decided to stay in Syria.

“I weep for my country! I am so sad and speechless…

“They advise me to leave my country… to emigrate. I respond saying:

  • I’m staying… for the church of Jesus … that the message of Jesus may remain a light guiding those who are lost and afraid.
  • I’m staying… because the harvest is plentiful… and the suffering is huge… a deep wound, a sense of despair …
  • I’m staying … to follow in the footsteps of my Master who went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil.
  • I’m staying… because I’m busy… in the ministry of saving souls (or can someone like me run… Lord give me strength).
  • “O Lord, hear and answer my prayers.”

Please join in praying through these prayer points provided by Syrian Christians.

  • That the cup of war be taken away from our country, Syria.
  • That the Lord may crush the conspiracy of the evil ones and their war plans… and consider their threats.
  • That He may send the power of His Holy Spirit on His church, that it may reach out to the suffering souls who – harassed and helpless – are like sheep without a shepherd.
  • That the Lord may help us to speak with great boldness and that many wonders and signs be performed … and souls return to Christ, and there be singing and praises.
  • That the Lord may send more help – that the house of the Lord may have food to satisfy the needs of the internally displaced, hundreds of whom are without any shelter.
  • That the Lord may send more support for the wounded and the sick who are in need of surgery, medication, and healing.
  • That the Lord may send those who can help us build a center for children affected by the war and send those who can help the children who are now disabled, and have special needs.
  • That the Lord will enable us to take care of those who have lost their supporters, and help them to get back on their feet.

Father, as we join the world in reflecting on the plight of the people of Syria, ravaged by unrelenting civil war, we look on not as those who are without hope, but as those whose anchor of hope is in You, the King of kings and Lord of lords. And so we come before You on behalf of the people of Syria, especially Your church there, imploring You to take away this cup of war from them.

We call upon You to bring peace and justice in the midst of spiritual darkness, that all might know that You have done it. Protect Your church and grant them courage and opportunity to speak the truth with great boldness that a vast multitude might turn to Christ in worship and praise.

We pray that You will provide Your people with food and shelter, with medical care and healing. And we grieve over the children, wounded and traumatized by the very powers that should be protecting them. Raise up resources to provide a place of refuge, comfort, hope and healing for these children that their bodies might be sustained and their hearts kept from becoming hardened. Cause Your Spirit to breathe life into their parched souls.

In the name of Jesus, our refuge and sure defense in a world pillaged by the evil one. Amen.

Please pray for Christian refugees from Syria in Lebanon

Peanut Gallery: Please continue to pray for displaced Syrian Christians… now finding refuge in Lebanon. The article below tells their story.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” Hebrews 13.1-3 NLT


Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give me the same compassion that you feel for strangers and refugees close to me… or far away. I remember especially today refugees from Syria. Use your people to feed them, clothe them, shelter them… and above all to love them. I ask it in your name.

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Bishop Expects Massive Influx Of Christian Refugees From Syria, Lebanon

Thursday, October 25, 2012 – By BosNewsLife Middle East Service
with additional reporting by BosNewsLife’s Stefan J. Bos

BEIRUT, LEBANON (BosNewsLife)– The Bishop responsible for Maronite Christians in Europe warned the Western world Thursday, October 25, that recent deadly attacks in Christian districts of Beirut and Damascus could “unleash” a massive “new wave” of Christian refugees.

Bishop Maroun Nasser GemayelIn remarks published by the ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ (ACN) group, Bishop Maroun Nasser Gemayel said Christians in the Middle East were longing for freedom and security and could therefore “be tempted to emigrate” to Europe or the United States, “despite their great love of their homeland.”

Bishop Gemayel said the situation in Syria’s capital Damascus already was dramatic, and “now many, including those in [Lebanon’s capital] Beirut, will believe that they can no longer live in safety even in the Christian quarters” despite their “great love of their homeland.”

Anti-Christian attacks last Friday, October 19 in Beirut and on Sunday, October 21, in Syria’s capital Damascus killed Continue reading “Please pray for Christian refugees from Syria in Lebanon”