Weekly Prayer Updates Update 02/22/2013

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 February 22, 2013 On Thu. Feb 21 2013 at 02:58 PM Moderator wrote: Indonesia--Islamic Hard-Liners Attack Five Churches Source: VOM Sources, Jakarta Post 1 Chronicles 28:20 Islamists attacked churches in South Sulawesi with Molotov cocktails on Feb. 10 and again on Feb. 14, for a total of five attacks. The churches attacked included the Makassar Indonesian Church, Panakkukang Toraja Klasis Church, Toraja Klasis Tallo Church, the Tiatira Church and the Toraja Mamasa Church. Several buildings sustained damage, but no injuries were reported. Police determined that all five attacks were carried out by the same group. Closed-circuit televisions at one of the churches recorded video of four people on two motorcycles hurling homemade bombs at the church. Members of the Islamic Defenders Front visited the Damai Kristus Catholic church on Friday, Feb. 15, and warned them of similar consequences if they continued to meet. All of the attacked churches held services on Sunday, Feb. 17, despite the threats. The Jakarta Christian Communications Forum has reported an increase in the number of threats against churches since 2009. There were 75 cases reported in 2012, up from 64 the previous year. Laos--Three Pastors Arrested for Making Copies of Christian Movie Sources: VOM Contacts, Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom Psalm 27:12-13 Police in Savannakhet province have held three pastors since Feb. 5 on suspicion of "spreading Christianity" because the pastors made copies of a Christian movie at a local duplication shop. After making three copies of the movie, the shop owner tested one of the DVDs and ended up watching the entire video along with the three pastors. A policeman who saw what they were watching reported them to the local police lieutenant, and the pastors and shop owner were arrested. The shop owner was later released, but authorities insist that the pastors were spreading the Christian religion portrayed in the movie. The pastors, who lead three different churches in the area, say the copies were for personal use. The movie is available in shops throughout Laos. Eritrea--Number of Christians Arrested in January Rises to 50 Source: Release International Genesis 39:20b-21 The number of Christians arrested in Asmara, the Eritrean capital, last month is now up to 50. All of the believers, detained since mid-January, are still being held, and most are church leaders. Thirty believers were arrested on Jan. 20 at a worship meeting of the Philadelphia church held in a private home. One of those arrested was an 85-year-old woman, who was also accused of hosting Bible study groups in her home. The raids were described as "well-planned and targeting Bible study leaders." The imprisoned Christians are being held in the notorious Karchele security prison in Asmara. Afghanistan--VOM Project Pray for radio broadcasts of dramatized New Testament readings in the Dari language. According to our partners, radio is the best tool for mass evangelism and discipleship in Afghanistan. ************* • 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.