Secret Church

---

Pray During Ramadan Posted: 27 Jul 2012 03:00 AM PDT Until August 18, when Ramadan ends, we will specifically and intentionally pray for the 1.56 billion Muslims around the world.  We will not neglect the persecuted church during this time, but continue to intercede for them, especially focusing on those who live in predominately Muslim contexts around the world.  IN EGYPT For Muslims From a Christian blogger in Egypt – “My heart is really broken for the millions of Muslims here in Egypt and around the world, who are seeking peace with God this month, trying so hard to do good works in an effort to somehow earn His favor and forgiveness” (Open Doors).  Pray for Egyptian Muslims to see the futility of their works and their desperate need for a Savior who saves by grace through faith; for salvation “is a gift of God, not a result of works,” (Eph. 2:8-9). Since the revolution in January 2011, Islamic zeal has greatly increased.  Pray that, rather than heightening it during Ramadan, Muslims will see the emptiness of their religious passion as they witness true zeal in Christians, whose eternal hope is not in good deeds, but in Jesus.  30-Days Prayer Network For Christians From a Christian blogger in Egypt (same as above) on the challenge so many Christians face during Ramadan when confronted by religiously zealous Muslims who want them to convert – “So this can cause a lot of tension among Egypt's Christians – to remain respectful but firm against their Muslim acquaintances' conversion efforts, without falling into heated arguments” (Open Doors).  Pray that Christians will be loving toward the Muslims around them and use the religious-aware time of Ramadan to talk to them about their beliefs. The 8 million Christians living in Egypt comprise the largest Christian minority in the Middle East.  As social, political, and economic persecution oppress then and an uncertain future in the Islam-dominated country unnerves many, pray that they would have courage and wisdom to follow God boldly.  Ask the Lord for physical and spiritual protection for families.  Pray for the strength to endure.  Also, pray that they would depend on the Lord in prayer and be mentally guarded by “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,” (Phil. 4:7).  30-Days Prayer Network

You are subscribed to email updates from Secret Church Blog To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Weekly Prayer Updates Update 07/27/2012

vom groups weekly prayer updates "Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness." - Andrew Murray "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 VOM-USA Prayer Update for July 27, 2012 On Thu. Jul 26 2012 at 02:25 PM Moderator wrote: Tanzania--Church Undaunted After Two Attacks VOM Contacts Revelation 2:10 An Assemblies of God church on Zanzibar island continues to meet for worship and reach out to the community after suffering two attacks this year. In May, a mob of 300 broke into the church and burned musical instruments, chairs and the pulpit. The church's leader hid in his office, just off the sanctuary, during the attack. Just months earlier, radical Muslims threw a large homemade bomb into the church as 500 believers celebrated the New Year. The bomb did not detonate, but police experts said it could have destroyed the entire building and killed most of those inside if it had exploded. Despite these repeated attacks, the church continues to function effectively and would like to expand its training activities. Pray for the church's pastor, and pray that the congregation will remain faithful as they endure persecution. Iran--House Church Leader Released from Prison Mohabat News 2 Timothy 4:16-18 An Iranian house church leader arrested more than a year and a half ago was released on July 16, 2012. Noorollah Qabitizade, 48, was interrogated repeatedly and spent time in solitary confinement during his imprisonment. Qabitizade was arrested Dec. 24, 2010, along with 10 other Christian converts who had gathered for a Christmas Eve celebration at a home in Dezful. More than 60 Christians were arrested during the 2010 Christmas season. Officials tried to persuade Qabitizade to abandon his Christian faith, subjecting him to continual interrogation and torture. He was asked to sign a document stating that he would stop evangelizing and was asked to write a letter denouncing Christianity, but Qabitizade refused. During his trial in September 2011, he was again given an opportunity to renounce his faith. Thank the Lord that Noorollah Qabitizade was released, and pray for him and his family as he recovers. North Korea--Gospel Balloons Released into North Korea VOM Contacts 1 Thessalonians 5:24 On July 5, four North Korean defectors now living in South Korea joined a VOM partner to release 10 gospel balloons into North Korea. The North Korean believers hope the balloons and their cargo will reach their hometowns in North Korea and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ there. Launching these balloons is a tangible way for North Koreans now living in South Korea to reach out to their homeland. The four North Korean Christians wrote their testimonies and included them among the 45,000 flyers delivered by the balloons. This was the fifth balloon launch by the VOM partner this year. Pray that the gospel messages carried by the balloons will bring hope to those who read them. Also pray that North Korea's new leader will bring about positive reform and grant more freedom to North Korean Christians. Turkey--VOM Project Pray for a church that authorities have tried to shut down in a hostile part of Turkey. The church has suffered three firebomb attacks, and the pastor has received death threats. VOM supports the church and its pastor, who evangelizes in the city and surrounding areas. ************* • Printer-Friendly Format • Add the PrisonerAlert application on Facebook • Download the prayer application on the iTunes Store or the Android Marketplace • Download the photo issue application on the iTunes Store or the Android Marketplace • Digital versions of our books are available on the Amazon.com Kindle and Barnes & Noble NOOK bookstores: search for Living Sacrifice Book Company Suggested Links Persecution.com The Voice of the Martyrs official homepage. Find links to our programs, read news about recent events, and learn more about the organization. VOMBooks.com Order books, videos, and other materials related to the persecuted church through our secure online store. Like us on Facebook Become a fan of VOM on Facebook! Connect with other fans and discuss recent events. PrisonerAlert.com Write to a Christian Prisoner in their own language! Use our letter-writing template online to build your letter, and send it by mail to a needy Christian. Follow us on Twitter Follow VOM-USA on Twitter for updates and prayer requests. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the Weekly Prayer Updates topic at www.vomgroups.com. If you have received this email in error or if you wish to unsubscribe, click here.

Secret Church

---

Pray During Ramadan Posted: 20 Jul 2012 12:00 AM PDT Today, the Muslim world begins their annual month of fasting called Ramadan.  During this time, Muslims around the globe will unite in an increased religious devotion as they abstain from food during the daylight hours.  In addition to the fast, there is an emphasis on Islam's other pillars, including prayer and charity.  Throughout this month, please pray for Muslims, asking God to give them saving grace through faith in Jesus.  As they vigorously strive to please Allah while feeling a sense of pride, unity, and zeal, pray that God will unveil their eyes to see Jesus for who He truly is – the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Pray that Christians all over the world will love Muslims well as they pray for and relate with those participating in Ramadan. To help you intentionally and consistently pray this month, check out 30 Days Prayer Network, a ministry devoted to prayer during the month of Ramadan.  They offer a variety of helpful resources, including a daily prayer guide. Additional Resources:  Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs, Joshua Project Ramadan 2012 Facts: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, based on lunar cycles.  This year it begins on July 20 and ends on August 18. Muslims specifically celebrate Muhammad receiving the Qur’an on "The Night of Power," generally believed to be the 27th night of Ramadan. The last ten days of Ramadan are especially important to Muslims because they believe them to be highly blessed. Ramadan participants not only fast from food, but also focus on abstaining from all sinful behaviors and on practicing strict discipline in many areas of their life. There are over 1.56 billion Muslims in the world today. “Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!” – Psalm 67

You are subscribed to email updates from Secret Church Blog To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Weekly Prayer Updates Update 07/20/2012

vom groups weekly prayer updates "Prayer is the pulse of life; by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart. The sin of prayerlessness is a proof for the ordinary Christian or minister that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness." - Andrew Murray "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 VOM-USA Prayer Update for July 20, 2012 On Wed. Jul 18 2012 at 07:53 AM Moderator wrote: Kyrgyzstan--Persecuted Christian Prays for Justice Source: VOM Contacts Psalm 33:18-19 A Christian worker in Kyrgyzstan recently filed a complaint against a Muslim village leader who, along with a small mob, attacked the worker and his friends on April 11 as they distributed humanitarian items in Ak-Kyia village. The Christian worker, Narsbek Sydykov, suffered a concussion, cuts and bruises in the attack, but authorities were slow to investigate his complaint. Narsbek's lawyer and a state-level prosecutor finally succeeded in initiating an investigation, but those accused of the attack were released from jail after reportedly offering the judge a bribe. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 17. "We ask you to pray very hard for us and this situation," wrote Narsbek. "If there is no punishment for this attack, then these people will only feel emboldened and will do this again. We know that our father holds everything in his hands, but we are feeling somewhat hopeless." India--GCIC Helps Pastor Accused of Forced Conversions Source: Global Council of Indian Christians Exodus 15:1-2 An Indian pastor was freed from prison in Karnataka state on Friday, July 6, following prompt intervention by the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), a VOM partner. Pastor Mounesh, 35, was taken into police custody the previous day after a group of Hindu radicals accused him of forced conversions (Karnataka does not have an anti-conversion law). The pastor was leading a monthly prayer meeting at his home with about 50 members of his house church when 30 Hindu radicals burst into the home and began beating the believers. GCIC reports that the attackers were shouting and accusing Pastor Mounesh of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity. The radicals destroyed all of the Bibles and Christian tracts in the home. When police arrived, they took Pastor Mounesh to the police station for questioning. GCIC representatives went to the station immediately and negotiated the pastor's release by 12:30 a.m. In response, about a dozen radicals appeared at Pastor Mounesh's home that afternoon and assaulted several church members, three of whom were admitted to the hospital. Thank God for Pastor Mounesh's testimony and faithfulness, and pray for the healing of the three church members who were injured. China--Children and Bible School Teachers Detained Source: China Aid Association Deuteronomy 6:6-8 On Monday, July 2, police and security agents raided a vacation Bible school in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, detaining 70 children and seven teachers. The children were attending special summer classes arranged by a house church in Urumqi, Xinjiang, when police arrived and held them for questioning. China does not allow religious instruction for children. Some of the children's parents and Bible school staff were also questioned. The children were released, but at least four female teachers remain in detention. Pray for the release of the Bible school teachers and for this house church's continued commitment to teach children about God. Laos--VOM Project Pray for eight young women in Laos who are learning sewing skills through a VOM training project. The sewing skills will enable them to run small businesses to support themselves. These daughters of tribal pastors will also be provided spiritual training to help them withstand persecution. ************* • Printer-Friendly Format • Add the PrisonerAlert application on Facebook • Download the prayer application on the iTunes Store or the Android Marketplace • Download the photo issue application on the iTunes Store or the Android Marketplace • Digital versions of our books are available on the Amazon.com Kindle and Barnes & Noble NOOK bookstores: search for Living Sacrifice Book Company Suggested Links Persecution.com The Voice of the Martyrs official homepage. Find links to our programs, read news about recent events, and learn more about the organization. VOMBooks.com Order books, videos, and other materials related to the persecuted church through our secure online store. Like us on Facebook Become a fan of VOM on Facebook! Connect with other fans and discuss recent events. PrisonerAlert.com Write to a Christian Prisoner in their own language! Use our letter-writing template online to build your letter, and send it by mail to a needy Christian. Follow us on Twitter Follow VOM-USA on Twitter for updates and prayer requests. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the Weekly Prayer Updates topic at www.vomgroups.com. If you have received this email in error or if you wish to unsubscribe, click here.

Zondervan Blog

---

Authors on the floor at ICRS Posted: 16 Jul 2012 11:22 AM PDT If you are a publishing professional attending ICRS convention right now, you are probably wondering what to do with all your free time, right? Well, just in case, we thought we’d draw your attention to a few of our stellar authors who are present and available on the ICRS show floor for book signings and presentations. Most of these events are happening at the Zondervan booth (which is booth #223). Be sure to make your way over to say hi, greet an author, and get your book signed! Christine Caine Already today Christine Caine has signed her testament of transformational insight and witness to God’s power to rescue, Undaunted: Daring to do what God calls you to do. Tamera Alexander Even as this post is being written Tamera Alexander is busy signing To Whisper Her Name, set in Nashville's historic Belle Meade Plantation, Tamera’s latest is a story about enslavement and freedom, arrogance & humility and how the power of love can heal even the deepest of wounds. If you hurry, you might still be able to catch up with her on the show floor! Melanie Dickerson Today (July 16), from 1 to 2:00 pm, Melanie Dickerson will be signing her latest work, The Merchant’s Daughter, a fairy-tale retelling, loosely based on Beauty and the Beast. Lysa Terkeurst Today (July 16), from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, Lysa Terkeurst will be signing her latest work, Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions, offering words of hope and healing for women struggling to make wise choices in the midst of raw emotions. Allia Zobel Nolan Tuesday (July 17), from 9 to 10:00 am, Allia Zobel Nolan will be signing her latest work, Whatever: Livin' the True, Noble and Totally Excellent Life (Faithgirlz!). Maybe you know teens and and their friends who say ‘Whatever!’ every single day —this devotional brings new meaning to the word. Less attitude and more gratitude! Kyle Idleman Tuesday (July 17), from 10:30 to 11:30 am, Kyle Idleman will be signing his latest work, Not a Fan—Teen Edition: What does it mean to really follow Jesus?, and inviting teens to make Jesus not merely an object of admiration, but the very center of one’s life. Jill Williamson Tuesday (July 17), from 1 to 2:00 pm, Jill Williamson will be signing her latest scifi work, Replication: The Jason Experiment — Martyr is one of hundreds of clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms; created to save humanity, Martyr just wants to see the sky before his scheduled expiration. Heather Burch Tuesday (July 17), from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, Heather Burch will be signing her latest work, Guardian: They chose to protect her. But forgot to guard their hearts.. This is book two of the Halflings Trilogy and in it, Nikki Youngblood discovers there might be more to her gifts than simply Seeing. Karen Moore Tuesday (July 17), from 12 to 1:00 pm (at Anchor booth # 633), Karen Moore will be signing her latest work, True Images Devotional: 90 Daily Devotions for Teen Girls, this devotionjal will guide teenage girls through a daily reading that focuses on what it means to possess true inner beauty. (Please note, the general public is not typically admitted onto the show floor of the ICRS convention, you will need to be affiliated with a publisher, bookseller, agent, or be an author.)

You are subscribed to email updates from Zondervan BlogZondervan Blog - Think Outside The Book To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610