NEPAL - Priest Killed by Hindu Extremists - VOM Sources

On July 1, Father Johnson Prakash Moyalan, a Roman Catholic priest from India, was killed by armed extremists in eastern Nepal. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "At approximately 1:00 a.m., the men broke into a building belonging to the Don Bosco Mission in the town of Sirsiya. They locked up the assistant priest and shot Moyalan in the stomach and chest. Reports also indicated that a bomb was detonated on the premises. The attackers left pamphlets on the scene identifying themselves as members of the Nepal Defense Army, a terrorist group that wants Hinduism restored as the state religion." Pray those who mourn Father Moyalan will find strength, comfort and peace in Christ. Pray that God will continue to raise up cross-bearing disciples in Nepal willing to remain faithful to Him at all cost. 1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16

Pray for CHINA

CHINA - Pastor Sentenced to Re-education Through Labor - China Aid Association

On July 4, Pastor Zhang Zhongxin was sentenced to two years re-education through labor in Jining city in Shangdong province. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Shandong Re-education-Through-Labor Management Committee issued a written decision sentencing Zhang Zhongxin to two years re-education through labor. Authorities accused him [Zhongxin] of cult participation in the ‘whole scope of the church' organized ‘Sunday school training courses, preaching the gospel to the northwest, Tibet and other places for missionaries and pioneers sermons.'" CAA added that in 2005, Zhongxin established The Rainbow Missions Fellowship and Timothy Bible Training School in Jining city, Shandong province, where Christian leaders are trained. Zhongxin has appealed his sentence. Pray for Zhongxin and his family during this difficult time. Ask God to give them courage as he appeals his sentence. Ask God to protect believers in China who face trying times as the government cracks down on believers ahead of the Olympics next month. Deuteronomy 33:26-27

Pray for SRI LANKA

SRI LANKA - Christians Attacked - National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka

Recently there have been at least two incidents of violence against Christians in Sri Lanka. According to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), "Unidentified assailants set fire to the house of an Assemblies of God church pastor in the city of Middeniya on the evening of July 3. The pastor, his wife and two children awoke to find that a fire had been started by the main door of their house. The family managed to put the blaze out before it caused extensive damage and no one was injured. Local villagers opposed to the pastor's church have reportedly been threatening him and his family in recent weeks." Meanwhile NCEASL added, "On July 6, a mob attacked the Calvary Church after false rumors about Christians attacking a temple spread in the district of Colombo. At approximately 9:30 a.m., five Buddhist monks charged into the church building during a worship service and demanded that the service cease. The pastor led the monks outside where they told him that there was no need for Christians in the village and threatened to destroy all local churches. By the time the police arrived on scene a large mob had gathered around the building. Fearing violence, the pastor sent his congregation away. The mob then attacked the building, completely destroying the contents. They beat the pastor and at least five others with clubs and rods. The pastor and his father were severely injured while others sustained minor injuries." Ask God to strengthen and heal the victims of these attacks. Pray that the faithfulness of Christians in Sri Lanka will be a light that draws others to Christ. Psalm 91

Pray for IRAN

IRAN - UPDATE: Imprisoned Iranian Christian "Temporarily" Released - Compass Direct News

Praise God! On June 26, Mohsen Namvar, an Iranian Christian who was arrested in his home in Tehran on May 31, was released from prison "temporarily." According to Compass Direct News, "Namvar was badly beaten while detained. Upon his release, he was treated for a fever and high blood pressure and his body appeared to be in shock. Local Christians believe that authorities may have released him out of fear that he would die in prison." Praise God for Namvar's courage and release. Pray for healing in his body and peace of mind. Ask God to encourage him and other believers in Iran who are standing in their faith in spite of persecution. Pray God gives them strength to forgive their persecutors. Romans 8:11

Pray for YEMEN

YEMEN - Christians Arrested - VOM Sources/ AhSahwa Net

Seven Christians were arrested recently by Yemeni security forces in the province of Hodeida, Yemen. According to VOM sources, "Security authorities told media organization, AhSahwa Net, that Political Security Forces in Hodeida city were holding a person named Hani Hussein Dahani from the district of AlZaidia who is being accused of embracing Christianity and leaving the Islamic religion. Four others close to him had the appearance of missionary network, as well as two others who were also seized, were involved in secretly spreading and distributing Bibles in AlDhahi district a year ago, and who had been fugitives from the law ever since." VOM sources added the report confirmed that those arrested had been transferred to Sana'a city for further investigation and scrutiny. The Yemeni government has arrested these seven believers because they distributed Bibles in several districts in 2007. Pray for strength for the arrested believers and their families. Ask God to increase their faith and courage as they stand for Christ during this challenging time. Pray those affected will forgive their persecutors and get an opportunity to share Christ with them. Isaiah 54:17.

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