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Prayers for July 22nd,
2008
From The Voice of the
Martyrs
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INDIA
Indian State Admits
Few Complaints of
‘Forced' Conversions -
Compass Direct News
On July 17, the Hindu
nationalist Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP)
government in Gujarat
state disclosed there
were only three
complaints of alleged
"forcible" conversions
in the last 10 years,
and only two of those
concerned Christian
conversions. According
to Compass Direct News,
"The Gujarat State Home
Department made the
embarrassing disclosure
after Samson Christian,
a leader of the All
India Christian Council,
sought the information
under the Right to
Information Act of 2005.
The Act makes it
mandatory for government
authorities to furnish
information concerning
public matters sought by
any citizen. The Home
Department said two of
the three complaints
were concerning
Christian conversions.
One was filed in 2007,
and others in 1997. The
BJP government's
reluctant admission
coincided with the
notification of the
rules under the Gujarat
Freedom of Religion Act
of 2003 on July 10. The
rules were framed on
April 1, and their
notification was the
last formality in the
implementation of the
law." Compass added,
"With three complaints
of forced conversions in
10 years, Gujarat's
‘anti-conversion' law is
proving unnecessary."
Pray for believers in
India who are serving
Christ courageously
despite laws that seek
to limit their Christian
activity. Ask God to use
this development as an
opportunity to spread
the gospel. Pray
believers will forgive
their persecutors and
for their testimony to
draw nonbelievers into
fellowship with Him.
Philippians 4: 6, 7
CHINA
Prominent House
Church Leader Evicted
from Home, Forced to
Live on the Streets -
China Aid Association
On July 6, 2008, Chinese
Public Security Bureau (PSB)
officials evicted Pastor
Bike Zhang, chairman of
the Federation House
Church, and his wife,
Xie Fenglan, from their
home in Chaoyang
district, Beijing.
According to China Aid
Association (CAA), "The
couple was able to find
shelter in the home of a
friend, Niu Bei, until
officials found them and
forced the Zhang's to
leave. Zhang and his
wife moved into a hotel
in Guo Xian town,
Tongzhou district. On
July 14, Tongzhou
District PSB officials
threatened the owner of
the hotel to evict the
couple or face
incarceration. The
couple then decided to
find residence in
Changping county, but
were stopped by police
officials while on their
way and taken to the
town government office."
CAA added, "Police
interrogated the couple
[withholding] food,
drink, or rest. Xie
Fenglan collapsed due to
the stress of the
torture. The couple was
[later] released from
the government office."
CAA reported PSB
officials continued
harassing the Zhang's
and continually evicted
them from places where
they sought shelter. CAA
added, "Zhang and his
wife are now forced to
live on the streets and
are not able to find
shelter. When asked why
the couple was being
expelled from Beijing,
officials responded,
‘Because Bike Zhang met
the Americans, and
destroyed the harmony of
the Beijing Olympic
Games.'" Pray for Pastor
Bike and his family
during this difficult
time. Ask God to heal
Xie Fenglan's body and
emotions. Pray believers
in China will remain
courageous as
persecution increases
ahead of the Olympics
next month.
Psalm 27:1
UZBEKISTAN
Government Refuses
Permission to Clear
Bibles Through Customs -
Forum 18 News
On July 8, Uzbekistan's
Bible Society learned
the government's
Religious Affairs
Committee had refused
permission for a Bible
shipment to clear
through Customs.
According to Forum 18
News, "Uzbekistan's
Bible Society said this
represents a ban on the
import of Bibles into
Uzbekistan. The shipment
of 11,000 Bibles and
Bible-related books in
Uzbek, Karakalpak and
Russian has been held in
Customs in the capital,
Tashkent, since May 19.
The Bible Society says
it will continue to
press for the shipment
to be allowed in." Pray
this shipment of Bibles
will be allowed into
Uzbekistan. Praise God
for believers who are
courageously sharing
Christ with others in
the midst of government
interference. Also pray
God gives believers
wisdom and protection.
Psalm 119:105
WEST BANK
UPDATE: Pastor's
Family Asks for
Continued Prayer for Son
Injured in Bombing - VOM
Sources
On July 21, Pastor David
Ortiz and his family ask
believers around the
world to continue
praying for their son,
Amiel, who is undergoing
numerous surgeries.
Amiel was seriously
injured when a bomb
delivered to the
family's home in the
Jewish settlement town
of Ariel went off in his
hands. According to The
Voice of the Martyrs
contacts, "Amiel is in
pain and doctors have
told the family an
estimate of a year for
the healing to be
complete. The family is
asking for prayer and
for the healing and pain
relief to take place
more quickly." Pray God
will move supernaturally
and heal Amiel. Pray his
family will be
encouraged and for the
perpetrators of the
bombing will be brought
to justice.
Romans 8:11
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