Prayer List for April 26, 2009

Sunday, please pray for Iranian Christians Marzieh and Maryam. “Marzieh Amairizadeh Esmaeilabad, 30, and Maryam Rustampoor, 27, were imprisoned by Iranian officials on March 5 and incarcerated in the infamous Evin prison. Inmates at this prison are tortured and face other forms of mistreatment. The two women were imprisoned because they were practicing their Christian faith, but Iranian officials allege that they were involved in 'anti-government activities.' Iranian officials asked the women to post bail at the staggering amount of $400,000 in order to be released, but when Marzieh's sisters tried to pay the bail fee, the government officials refused to accept it. This makes it clear that the Iranian officials are determined to severely punish our Christian sisters.” (International Christian Concern)

Monday, please praise God for the release of four Christians who were detained in Libya. The Libyan government released them on April 13. (International Christian Concern)

Tuesday, please pray for Make Way Partners’ evangelist in Darfur, Sudan, and the refugees that he works with. “The camp where he oversees our medical clinic (in partnership with a Muslim doctor) has been attacked. At least 12 are dead and 30 or so wounded. Phillip fled the make-shift camp along with the locals. The local Chief and Commissioner begged Phillip to remain with the people, as now they are on the run once again. What few straw huts they were able to build for shelter have now been left behind. Everyone ran with simply the clothes on their backs, babies in one arm and dragging their toddlers behind with the other arm.” (Make Way Partners)

Wednesday, please pray that Islamic President al-Bashir would release trucks of supplies that the government of Sudan has seized. “In the past, James has been able to negotiate their freedom without paying the “taxes,” which equates to ransom. This time, Islamic President al-Bashir (who has been indicted for war crimes, including ‘Extermination’ upon the indigenous Sudanese) has said no trucks can pass without his expressed permission. James reports that there are literally hundreds of trucks being detained, including United Nations humanitarian relief trucks. al-Bashir is committed to kill the people one way or another.” (Make Way Partners)

Thursday, please pray for the people of Burma. “On April 2, 2009, the Burma Army from Play Hsa Lo forced villagers in the relocation site there to carry food and walk in front of a bulldozer. The Burma Army often forces villagers to do this in order to explode any mines which may have been placed in the road and to discourage the local Karen resistance troops from attacking. Similarly, on March 23, the Burma Army arrested four villagers from the Maw Thay Der area. The villagers were forced to walk in front of the patrolling Burma Army troops in order to check for landmines. On March 25, these villagers were then forced to register with the Burma Army and ordered to move to a relocation site. The villagers were from Keh Der, Ler Kla Der, Hu Mu Der and Klaw Mee Der villages in Tantabin Township.” (Free Burma Rangers)

Friday, please pray for “Uyghur Christian Alimjan Yimit, detained in Kashi Municipal Detention Center in Kashgar,” China . He was recently escorted to a nearby hospital in handcuffs. “Sources informed Compass Direct News that Alimjan had been beaten in prison. His attorney visited him one week earlier to discuss a court trial anticipated in May. This was only the second time Alimjan was allowed a visitor since his arrest in January 2008. Court authorities returned his case to state prosecutors, citing a lack of evidence to support charges of “leaking state secrets” and “inciting secession." Family, friends and colleagues insist that Alimjan is a loyal citizen with no access to state secrets, and that his arrest was due to his Christian faith and association with foreign Christians.” (Open Doors, Compass Direct)

Saturday, please pray that hate crimes legislation, Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, will not pass in the United States Congress. “The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would add homosexuals and transgender people to the list of protected categories under federal hate crimes law. Republicans in the Judiciary Committee offered an array of amendments to the legislation, including special protections under hate crimes law for senior citizens, unborn children, military veterans, pregnant women, and American nationals who have been the victims of violent crimes committed by illegal aliens. Democrats argued the amendments were not germane to the bill, and defeated them all on a party-line vote.” Regina Griggs, executive directive of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, PFOX, says this legislation “would make it tougher for former homosexuals -- many of whom, she says, are the focus of hateful actions by supposed ‘tolerant’ homosexuals. Griggs say the bill puts hatred of ex-"gays" into legislation. ‘The legislation doesn't protect my organization, and it doesn't protect the rights of former homosexuals to live free, happy out of the closet, if you will, and to be getting their message out to the public and into the schools.’" In Canada, Australia, and the European Union, hate crimes legislation has forced the prosecution of preachers who speak out against the persecution of Christians in Islamic regimes or of preaching on passages, such as Romans 1, which point out the sin of homosexual behavior, although preachers in none of these cases espoused any violent behavior toward others and no one committed violent acts. Indeed, hate crimes legislation is censorship of free speech. (One News Now, me)

North Korea Freedom Week is scheduled to take place in Washington, DC from April 26 - May 2, 2009.

Voice of the Martyrs will be holding a meeting in New Lenox, IL, May 16. For more information, go to www.persecution.com.