Iran: A letter from prison
 | By News on the Net (Bio and Archives) Thursday, June 14, 2012 | Print friendly | Subscribe | Email Us |
In the closed land of Iran, one might be surprised to hear that there are many people with open hearts. Thousands of Iranians are coming to Christ by hearing the gospel through satellite programs, secret evangelism and even dreams. Among those converting to Christianity are even officials within the government itself. However, the growth of the Church is coming at a cost. Iran’s underground Church faces persecution, prison charges and, in some cases, even death.
The family of Haik Hovsepian, an Iranian Christian martyred in 1994, has produced an inspiring music video that shares the struggles and conflicts facing many Iranian believers today. To watch “A Letter from Prison,” visit www.Persecution.TV/Letter.
Please consider showing this video during your next church service and sharing it with friends and family, inviting them to join you in praying for the Church in Iran!
You can learn more about our persecuted brothers and sisters in Iran at the Iran Country Report.
Christians targeted by militant group in Nigeria
(Source: Compass Direct News)
An Islamic extremist ran a car full of explosives at a church building in Jos, Plateau state, on June 10, killing at least two Christians and injuring more than 40 others. On the same day, gunmen killed at least two Christians during church worship in Borno state. The Boko Haram Islamic sect reportedly took responsibility for both assaults.
The attack in Jos was the second suicide bombing of a church in two Sundays and the third church bombing in six months. The explosion, which hit after a service had ended and church leaders and some children remained in the building, collapsed the roof of the sanctuary.
Pray that the Lord will give Christians in Nigeria the grace and strength they need to overcome this latest attack. Ask Him to take away their fear and give each of them an eternal perspective. Pray that Christians will not retaliate, but will respond to their persecutors with Christ-like love. Pray that God will draw members of Boko Haram to repentance and to faith in Him.
For more information on Nigeria’s persecuted Church, please visit the Nigeria Country Report. To post a prayer for our Nigerian brothers and sisters, go to our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.
Police arrest pastor for spreading faith in Laos
(Source: Compass Direct News)
A 53-year-old Lao pastor remains behind bars after police arrested him on June 6 for encouraging others to convert to Christianity. The arrest of Asa, identified by only a single name, took place at his home in Peeyeur village, Luang Namtha Province. Police then drove Asa to the Luang Namtha provincial prison, some 50 kilometres away—too far to allow visits from concerned family members or friends who have limited access to road transport. If normal procedure had been followed, police would have held Asa in a village or district prison for three days while they investigated charges against him.
On June 7, Khamla, a prominent Christian leader in the province, met with police and discovered that Asa had been charged with leading people to Christ. Two years ago police forced Asa to sign documents agreeing that he would neither proclaim Christ nor lead people to Christianity. This year, however, many people in Peeyeur and surrounding villages, touched by Asa’s life and testimony, have accepted Christ. Authorities in southern Laos have also continued to threaten, interrogate and arrest Christians.
Praise the Lord for Asa’s faithfulness in spreading the gospel. Pray that he will rely on the Lord to give him the words to say when he stands before accusing authorities (Matthew 10:19). Pray that, even now, he will be a witness for Jesus.
Go to the Laos Country Report for more on persecuted Christians in Laos.
Update: Petros Fourotan released from prison, other Christians imprisoned in Iran
(Source: Present Truth Ministries)
On June 10, Mehdi “Petros” Foroutan was released from prison. In total he served about one year in prison for crimes against national security because of his Christian faith (for more, click here).
Meanwhile, Youcef Nadarkhani remains in Lakan Prison in Rasht, Iran. He is still awaiting an official response from the local court regarding his trial in September 2011 (for more on his case, please click here). Behnam Irani is still in Ghezal Hezar prison. His faith remains strong but he is in very poor health and the prison officials are still not allowing him to visit a doctor (click here for more on Behnam).
Praise God for the release of Petros! Ask the Lord to minister to him and help him to overcome this long ordeal. Pray the Lord will use his testimony to draw other Iranians to faith in Him. Pray for the release of Youcef and Behnam. Pray also that God will fill their hearts with a peace beyond comprehension as they bring their needs to the Lord and rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:4-7).
You can learn more about Iran’s persecuted Church by visiting the Iran Country Report.
