Christians in Egypt in mourning after massacre

(Sources: Compass Direct News, Middle East Concern) Funeral services were held on October 10 in Cairo for some of the victims of a military attack against a group of Christian protestors that left at least 26 dead and hundreds wounded. The attack began in the late afternoon on October 9, when Christian protestors marching through Cairo began getting pelted with rocks and other projectiles near an overpass that cuts through the downtown. By the time the protestors were able to make it to a television and radio broadcasting building commonly known as the Maspero Building, the army began shooting into the crowd and ramming riot-control vehicles into the protestors. Later in the evening there were reports of sporadic violence against Christian-owned businesses and fighting close to the Coptic Hospital, where most of the bodies of the dead and wounded had been brought.

---

In the wake of what could be the worst act of violence against Egyptian Christians in modern history, leaders of the Coptic Orthodox Church called for three days of fasting and prayer for divine intervention, along with three days of mourning. Coptic Christians, once a majority in Egypt, now make up 7 to 10 per cent of the country's 80 million people. Please pray for rest, peace and justice in Egypt. Pray for the leaders of this nation; ask the Lord to give them wisdom. Pray God will minister to those who are mourning and give those who are victims of violence the grace to forgive their attackers. Ask the Lord to protect and strengthen His Church in Egypt.

---

---

To post a prayer of solidarity with suffering believers in Egypt, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall. For more information on the persecuted Church in Egypt, please visit the Egypt Country Report.

Update: Youcef Nadarkhani's case referred to Iran's Supreme Leader

(Source: Middle East Concern) There have been developments concerning Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor whose death sentence for apostasy was upheld in court hearings in late September (for more information, click here). First, the case will now be referred to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Second, the Supreme Court has announced that it would be willing to consider a further appeal. There is continuing uncertainty about the case. The Iranian authorities have repeatedly suggested that a death sentence has not been passed. This is despite the fact that written verdicts issued by the Revolutionary Tribunal of Gilan Province in September 2010 and the Supreme Court in July 2011 explicitly stated that the charge was apostasy and the sentence death. Please pray for the outcome of this case. Ask the Lord to uphold and sustain Youcef, his wife, and their two children. Pray that this family may soon be reunited. Pray for Youcef's legal team and all those in authority connected with this case. To learn more about the trials Iranian Christians face, visit the Iran Country Report.

Christian killed over land dispute in Pakistan

(Source: AsiaNews) Safdar Masih, a Pakistani Christian, was shot to death on October 5 over a land dispute. When Safdar's church in Mian Channu, Khanewal District, purchased land to build an orphanage, their claim on the land was contested by an influential feudal lord. On October 3, church members filed a complaint with police but were pressured to withdraw their petition. Two days later, armed men attacked the village, murdering Safdar and injuring a dozen others, including children. The men also seized the land. The police have yet to file a report about the attack. Pray the Lord will comfort Safdar's family and friends. Ask God to heal and restore those who were injured. Ask the Lord to protect and provide for the orphaned children. Pray the Lord will bring about justice in an unjust world (Psalm 140). Go to the Pakistan Country Report for more information on persecution in Pakistan.

Students at orphanage in India forced to pay idol worship fee

(Source: Compass Direct News) Christian orphans in West Bengal, India, have been forced to contribute funds for idol worship in order to gain admission to a high school. Rev. Dr. Subimal Dutta, the director general of Ambassadors Service Society which operates the Gilgal Children's Home, has faced threats for opposing the collection of money for idol worship at government schools or government-aided schools. In early September, the extremists stormed into the Society compound and warned Dutta to stop all Christian activities within seven days or that they would forcibly shut down the mission. They also sternly warned him that his life would be in danger if he involved police or any administrative officials. At a meeting on September 23 with the village head, the local political party, and the Ambassadors Service Society, an agreement was reached for re-opening the Society. However, the agreement required all students at the government high school to pay the idol worship fee without complaint. Please pray that the Lord will protect Dutta and the children he is responsible for. Pray that they will not be afraid to continue to meet together to worship Him. Pray the Lord will grant wisdom to Dutta in this difficult situation. Pray that those who oppose Christians would repent and know Christ. For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit the India Country Report.

Pray for the persecuted this November

Each year, the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) gives us the privilege of joining together with more than half a million churches in 150 countries to pray for suffering believers. The day plays a vital role in encouraging and strengthening the persecuted Church through prayer and to bring awareness to their plight. As we hear of their overcoming courage in the face of arrest, imprisonment, torture and even death, our faith is also strengthened. The Voice of the Martyrs actively partners with organizations such as the Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Religious Liberty Commission and other VOM missions worldwide in promoting IDOP among Christians in Canada and around the world on the second Sunday of November. A special resource kit is available for your church, Bible study or small group to use. To download these helpful resources or to find out more about IDOP, go to the links below. To visit IDOP Canada, please visit Link. To visit IDOP International, go to Link.

---