HOLY LAND: IS Militants Warn, "Leave or Risk Being Killed"

Source: Middle East Concern Leaflets distributed recently in East Jerusalem are warning Christians to leave the city before the end of Ramadan on July 18th or risk being killed. The leaflets are attributed to a group its own members refer to as the "Islamic State in Palestine." While Muslim and Christian religious leaders have been quick to condemn the leaflets, alarmed Christians residing in Jerusalem have requested prayer. As recently reported in one of our previously posted prayer alerts, there have been a number of recent incidents targeting Christians in Jerusalem's Old City, as well as reports of mounting pressure on Palestinian Christians amid fears of local Muslims being radicalized. To review this earlier report, please click here. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Jerusalem who are increasingly concerned over the threats made by militants against their Christian community. Ask God to grant them a greater awareness of His reassuring presence, peace, guidance and protection (Psalm 122:6-8). And for those who are in opposition of these faithful followers of Christ, pray that the reverential fear of our Lord will come upon them so they may repent and wholeheartedly turn to Him as their blessed Saviour!

SUDAN: Upcoming Trial of South Sudanese Pastors

Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Middle East Concern Rev. Yat Michael and Rev. Peter Reith, inquiring as to why they should be involved in Christian ministry within an Islamic country. He then ruled that their case will continue on July 14th, during which time they are to be tried on all charges -- two of which carry a death sentence or life imprisonment. The lawyer representing the two pastors has been denied access to them.

Rev. Michael and Rev. Reith were arrested in December 2014 and January 2015 respectively and charged with multiple offences, including undermining the constitutional system and espionage (offences that carry the death penalty) and blasphemy (which may be punished by whipping). For a previous report on their arrest, please click here. In another incident, Pastor Hafez of the Evangelical Church in Bahri (where Rev. Michael had preached before his arrest) and Mohaned Mustafa (the lawyer representing the church and both previously mentioned pastors) were arrested on July 1st and detained briefly before being released on bail. On the order of government officials, the authorities had come to destroy part of the church complex. When Pastor Hafez and the lawyer complained that the government employee was attempting to destroy a part of the church compound that was not within the government order, they were both arrested for obstructing a public servant in the exercise of his duties. The government employee continued to destroy the part of the compound that was not within the order. The lawyer was driven to the police station but the pastor was made to walk there in handcuffs. During his detention, Pastor Hafez was hit on the side of his head with a gun. After his release, he needed to go to the hospital for x-rays. It is not yet known when the case against Pastor Hafez and the lawyer will be brought to court. Please uphold all three pastors and the representing lawyer, Mohaned, who are in need of God's divine peace, protection and intervention. Ask the Lord to go before the upcoming trial, preparing the hearts of all those involved in this case so that it may be conducted in a just and reasonable manner. May the outcome be favourable for all of these genuine servants of the Gospel. Also remember the church in Sudan as a whole, praying that the country's believers will not lose heart but rejoice in the midst of opposition, embracing the opportunity to be strengthened spiritually, further develop in Christ-like character, and bring glory to the matchless name of Jesus (James 1:2-4).

NORTH KOREA: Scripture Balloon Launch

Source: The Voice of the Martyrs USA Please join us in praying that the Scripture balloons of an upcoming launch will successfully make their way into North Korea, so many of the country's men, women and youth will be given the opportunity to be reached by the God-inspired Word these hydrogen vessels contain. As the balloons gradually make their way along the journey, ask the Lord to prepare the soil of the recipients' hearts so they will be receptive to the message of the Gospel that's being sown, eventually bearing much good fruit in their lives. After the balloons are launched, the time it takes for them to finally reach altitudes high enough in which to burst and thus distribute the Scriptures can vary considerably. GPS units are used by VOM's ministry partners to help determine the best areas for future launches and to track where the balloons have landed. In a recent launch, three of the four units made it to shore in China. Considering that about 40 percent of northeastern China's population is Korean, it is hoped that the balloons will greatly impact all those who receive them there. To learn more about the ministry's innovative balloon launches, there is an interesting video clip available on VOM Canada's website. Let's thank God for inspiring those of our ministry team with this unique way to share the Gospel effectively among the citizens of what is considered the world's most restricted nation. Pray that the purposes for which these balloons are sent will accomplish much for the Kingdom of Heaven while, at the same time, bring glory to our wonderful Lord here on earth (Isaiah 55:11). May the church of North Korea thrive and be further strengthened despite any human attempts to restrict it.

PRISONER UPDATE

According to Middle East Concern, Iranian prisoner Homayoun Shokouhi has finally been released from jail prior to the completed term. Homayoun was originally arrested during a raid on a house church during February of 2012 in which eight Christians were sentenced with harsher terms. As one of the four who were sentenced to a 44-month prison term (which was due to expire in October), the incarcerated believer had been released last November, only to be ordered back to prison when his bail conditions were cancelled. Thankfully, with this latest report, we can now rejoice over the release of all those who were arrested during the 2012 raid. More information can be found at this page and this page. To post a prayer on behalf of Iran's persecuted Christians, or other concerns mentioned in this week's prayer alert, you may do so at the Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.