IDOP 2011 - International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Well, dear friends, it's true. I've been away from blogging for a while. I've been pretty busy with university assignments and exam preparations....whew! quite hectic! But the Lord is always good and very faithful. His mercies endure forever. Praise the Lord! Well, I hope to get back to it as soon as possible. I'm still thinking about what to share next:)

However, tonight I'd just like to encourage you all to join in this year's IDOP (from 6th - 13th of November). Whether in Church, or with family and friends, or just alone in our time with the Lord. Let's remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering persecution and hardship. Pray that the Lord would be with them and strengthen them in their tribulations and deliver them from evil. Pray that those who are in prisons would be released. Pray that the Lord would provide all their needs. Pray that they would be given courage to witness to the Lord in these very hostile places. Pray that the Lord would provide them with His precious Word. 

Prayer Changes Things! 

'Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.'  Hebrews 13:3

Urgent Prayer for Christians in Egypt

Dear Friends, 

Many of you have probably already heard what happened on Sunday to many of Egypt's Christians. Yesterday the Coptic Christians went out to peacefully protest against the burning of a church in Etfu, Aswan Governorate. During their march, they were molested with stones and gunfire. Upon reaching the TV Building in Maspero, Cairo (around 10,000 or more Copts), the army and 'thugs' attacked. There were similar protests in other cities around the country. The army, government, and national media, as usual, have falsely accused the Christians of using weapons and violence. All the inner sources and video footage show completely otherwise. Thankfully CNN and other outside media are beginning to give some accurate info as well. It is well known that thugs (from the authorities, particularly the army) infiltrated the demonstrations and did all the violence.  It was shocking how the army vehicles rammed into the protesters, crushing and mutilating them. Not even the worst atrocities committed during the January/February revolution could be compared with this. The scenes from the hospitals is horrific. Church and other sources say that there were many more than 24 dead (the official count), some say as many as 40 or 50. Some reports even indicate that some bodies were thrown by the attackers over the bridge into the Nile. Hundreds are injured, many seriously. These attacks on Christians, the Churches, their businesses, and their homes have increased dramatically since the Revolution, beginning with the New Year bombing of the Church in Alexandria. We can see that the Military General and the ruling military council is set on their persecution of Christians, using the Islamists.The Coptic Church has declared three days of fasting and prayer, starting today (October 11). We gratefully know that you and many others are with us in lifting our brothers and sisters before our Father's throne of Grace. Please share this with as many as possible so they also can join in prayer. Prayer changes things because we serve a living God. Amen! Pray that the Lord would give them strength and comfort to endure this trial and courage not to lose hope but trust in God. The peaceful protests will undoubtedly continue, so, please pray that the Lord would give His people wisdom and protect them. Pray for comfort for the families of those killed.

Please pray, also, for the future of Egypt and that God would deliver Egypt from those who want to destroy her. 

God bless, 

P.S: Here are some links to reliable sources and news: 

*At Coptic Hospital, Christians hysterical over lost relatives 

*Live Updates: As death toll rises in clashes, mobs attack Christian businesses 

*Confusion looming over dead bodies' autopsies after Maspero violence

*A firsthand account: Marching from Shubra to deaths at Maspero

*Live Updates: Protesters march from Coptic Hospital to cathedral

*Human rights group had warned military of violence, say legal sources

*CNN - Q&A: Egypt's tensions explained


Voice of the Martyrs Article

CBN News 

Open Doors 

Here is a video link of the funeral. It is, understandably, emotionally distressing. Emotions of pain, grief and anger are high and raw. In the clips you can here the mourners weeping, praying, their cries of distress, and their chants which say that they are willing to suffer and die for the cross and that they will lift their heads high. They are also using this opportunity to protest as well.

http://www.christian-dogma.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1591142

http://www.christian-dogma.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1591502 
(here singing the traditional hymn 'Lord Have Mercy') 

This is probably the best Christian source - full of video clips and live and raw footage (It is in Arabic, though - google translation could help, though poor). I thought I'd include it here anyway. 

http://www.christian-dogma.com/site/p0 

P.S. 2: Here is an Update to the case of the Iranian Pastor sentenced to death

Urgent Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Egypt and Iran

Before I share anything new this week, I would first like to share an urgent prayer request. 

First, at present Iranian Pastor, Youcef Nadarkhani, is facing execution at any time for converting to Christianity and refusing to recant. There is an international campaign now to pressure the Iranian authorities to withdraw their sentence. However, prayer is the real key now. He's got a young family, too. Please pray for him and his family. Pray that the Lord would intervene and deliver him from this sentence and restore him to his family and congregation. Pray that the Lord would give them peace and strength in this trial. Click Here for more information. 

Here are some video clips of media coverage on the case in the last few days - please pray: 

Many of our brothers and sisters in Iran are facing similar hardship and persecution. Let's remember them also. 

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Another urgent matter for prayer is for Christians in Egypt. Since the January Revolution, the Church in Egypt has been facing more and more severe danger and persecution. Last night, about 3,000 Muslim fanatics attacked a Church in one village in Upper Egypt  near the tourist city of Aswan and completely burned it down, also destroying the homes and businesses of many Christians. Many are now trying to flee the village with boats across the Nile, but they are quite surrounded. There is deep fear of a massacre through the night. As usual the authorities are just spectators and are not doing anything.  Please pray for the Lord's protection and deliverance. Pray that the Lord will give His people peace and strength through this trial. 

(here is a link in English that tells a little bit, though there were many developments since its writing)

Several other Churches around the country have been attacked and destroyed and many more are threatened. There are also thousands still in prisons. Already the situation in Egypt in general is getting worse and more grave. The greatest fear is an total Islamic takeover with the help of the ruling Army. Sadly, the international media is not mentioning anything about this at all. So, please remember them in your prayers. Prayer Changes things. 

'Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them that suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.' (Hebrews 13: 3). 

Thank you and God Bless.