Prayers for the persecuted church (3/15/2010)

3/8/10 Nigeria (ICC) 500 Christians Slain in Muslim Jihad Attack in Nigeria- On March 8, 2010, a group of Nigerian Muslims mercilessly slaughtered 500 Christians in the village of Dogo Nahawa. At 2 a.m. local time, the Islamic radicals stormed into the Christian village and butchered the faithful believers--most of them women and children. Thus far, Nigerian police have arrested 93 people in this brutal act of Christian persecution.. Full Story.

Pray for the families of these 500 murdered Christians as they mourn the deaths of their loved ones.
Pray that the Nigerian police will find, arrest, and convict all of the murderers.
Pray that the Lord will place a hedge of protection around Nigeria's Christian population.

For more general information, please go to ICC's website on Nigeria.

3/8/20 China (ChinaAid) Chinese Land Official Says, "Golden Lampstand Church Will Be Destroyed.”- In September of 2009, China's beautiful Golden Lampstand Church was confiscated by the Chinese government. Since that time, military police have been stationed in and around the building to keep faithful Christians from entering. Now Chinese government officials are demanding that the six-story, beautiful Golden Lampstand Church be completely destroyed! Full Story.

Pray that the Chinese government puts a stop to its plans to destroy the Golden Lampstand Church!
Pray that China's military police will leave the Golden Lampstand Church.
Pray for the mental and physical strength of China's Christian population.

For more general information, please go to ICC's website on China.

3/8/10 Morocco (ICC) 33 Children Forcibly Abandoned by Morocco- The Village of Hope orphanage in Ain Leuh, Morocco, is home to many children who have been abandoned by their parents and society. Unfortunately, Moroccan officials have been given orders to close this loving home. According to sources, the orders are based on the fact that the staff has been proselytizing orphans to Christianity. If the Village of Hope orphanage is indeed torn down, then these poor children will have to live on the streets or in government “mega” orphanages. Full Story.

Pray that the government orders to close the Village of Hope orphanage are reversed.
Pray that the Village of Hope workers help bring many children to Christ.
Pray that the Moroccan government will stop persecuting their Christian citizens.

For more general information, please go to ICC's website on Morocco.

3/9/10 Iran (CDN) Iranian Pastor Tortured, Threatened for ‘Converting Muslims’- According to sources, an Iranian pastor who has been accused of ‘converting Muslims’ is being tortured in prison! On February 2, 2010, Iranian security agents arrested Rev. Wilson Issavi after he finished a house meeting in Isfahan. Issavi’s wife has reported that her husband has obvious signs of torture and is in very poor condition. According to Iranian officials, Issavi may be executed for his alleged activities. Full Story.
Pray that Rev. Wilson Issavi is released from prison.
Pray that all charges are dropped against Issavi.
Pray that the Lord will place a hedge of protection around Rev. Wilson Issavi and his congregation.

For more general information, please go to IICC's website on Iran.

3/5/10 Pakistan (Spero News) Christians Protest Second-Class Status Under Islamic Law- The Pakistani government has been using its blasphemy law to interrogate and persecute innocent Christians. Recently, Gulzar Kanwal, the owner of a cosmetics shop in Wandu, has been erroneously accused of blasphemy by a group of fundamentalist Muslims. These false accusations have caused this faithful Christian to be threatened, insulted, and detained by the Pakistani police. Kanwal is now scared to reopen her shop. Full Story.

Pray for a hedge of protection to be placed around Gulzar Kanwal and her cosmetics shop.
Pray that the Pakistani government stops using and abusing its blasphemy law to persecute Christians.
Pray that the Pakistani government will begin enacting laws to protect its Christian citizens.

For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Pakistan.



3/10/10 Pakistan (BosNewsLife) Pakistan Christian Dies After Gunmen Storm House- On March 10, 2010, a group of armed Muslims barged into Mukhityar Masih’s home and attacked the faithful Christian. Masih’s only crime was lodging a police complaint about his Muslim landlord. The merciless attack was so terrible that Mukhityar Masih ended up dying of a heart attack. Pakistan authorities have yet to detain any suspects.. Full Story.

Pray for Mukhityar Masih’s family as they mourn the death of their loved one.
Pray that the government of Pakistan will find and arrest Masih’s murderers.
Pray that the Pakistani government will start protecting their Christian citizens.

For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Pakistan.