Another troubling factor for our persecuted family in India is a new tactic that's being used against them. According to sources, assailants are now intentionally wounding pastors and other Christians in ways that will ultimately cause them to die.
Please pray for Shri and Asha as they now recover from this violent attack. May God completely restore them physically, while also healing their emotional wounds due to the trauma. Pray also that He will guide this couple, as well as other Christians in the community, as they discern how to follow Him amidst such hostility. May the faithfulness of believers in this area of India touch the hearts of the militant Hindus, resulting in them turning away from their hatred of Christ and His followers to embracing Him as Saviour and Lord.
For more information on India's persecuted church, please
visit our website.
SRI LANKA: Pastor and Family Violently Attacked by Mob
Source: National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka
On August 24th, the leader of a village in Batticaloa District visited a church during the Sunday worship service to inquire whether it was registered. Stating that he had received an anonymous letter of complaint regarding the church, the leader insisted that the pastor officially register. Several days later, the leader again contacted the pastor to warn him of serious consequences if he did not submit a registration letter. Later that night, the pastor received several anonymous calls requesting that he come to pray for sick individuals. However, as the calls were suspicious, he remained at home.
The next Sunday, 15 villagers gathered outside the pastor's house and made false allegations against him. They also threatened that he would "face the consequences" later that night. Following through on their threat, a group of masked men attacked the pastor, his wife, 12-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son, as well as another believer, while they were walking home from visiting a Christian neighbour. The pastor's son was able to escape from the mob and inform the police. One of the assailants was arrested, while the others escaped. The pastor's wife and their two children were hospitalized as a result of the violent attack.
On Sunday, September 7th, approximately 80 people, led by a Buddhist monk, gathered outside the church and threatened to beat the pastor if the religious activities did not stop immediately.
Lift up this pastor, his family, and the other injured believer in prayer, asking our gracious God to minister complete healing to them from the aftermath of this attack. May they experience a swift and full recovery, and be encouraged to continue following Jesus despite the risks. Ask that He provide this pastor and other leaders in the area with wisdom as they interact with their neighbours, many of whom are hostile to the Christian faith. Let us also remember in prayer the Buddhist militants involved in this case, praying that the Holy Spirit will work in their lives and lead them to repentance.
To learn more about the struggles our Christian family faces in Sri Lanka, visit our
Country Report.
RECENT PRISONER UPDATES
CHINA: Children Among 100 Christians Arrested During Service
Sources: International Christian Concern, VOM Australia
Over 200 police officers raided a house church in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, on September 21st. More than 100 Christians, including children, were arrested in the raid which occurred during a Sunday service.
According to local believers, the service was raided without any prior warning. Following the incident, police left behind a notice stating that the church members were detained for conducting an "illegal gathering." Most church members, including the children, were detained for 10 to 20 hours and then released. However, at the time of the report, 30 believers still remained in police custody.
All house churches in China are considered "illegal gatherings" and are frowned upon by the government. Any believers meeting together to practise their faith in house churches risk being arrested.
Let us bring this troubling situation to our Lord in prayer, asking that He grant His peace to the precious believers affected by this raid, and especially for the children who were detained. May they not give in to fear, trusting God to protect them and strengthen their faith. Also remember those who may still be in custody, praying that they will soon be released. In addition, pray that this congregation will not give up meeting together, but instead spur each other on to worship our Risen Lord. Finally, please intercede on behalf of the authorities involved in this case. May they be moved by the witness of these believers and, as a result, come to know Him and the truth of the Gospel.
To watch a recent CNN report about the continuing persecution of Christians in nearby Zhejiang province, please visit our
multimedia site.
