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Persecution & Prayer Alert (September 14, 2023)
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The Voice of the Martyrs Canada

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• You

Fri 15/09/2023 05:12​

View this email in your browser ​ ​ ​ "It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers his Helper is omnipotent." ~ Jeremy Taylor​ NEPAL: Church Attacked as Part of Growing Trend​ Source: International Christian Concern​ A church service in Nepal. Photo: World Watch Monitor ​ Two churches in the same town of Nepal's Lumbini Province were attacked during the first four days of September. Reports describing the incident indicate that damage was done to the facilities of both churches, as well as to a motorbike. In one photograph, two men identified as pastors are shown being assaulted on the street. A sticky black substance was smeared on their faces in an act considered a cultural sign of disrespect and hatred. These attacks are only the latest in a series of at least seven incidents of violence against churches in Nepal over a two-week period. While addressing the recent wave of attacks, a Nepalese human rights leader stated that the lack of response from authorities has encouraged perpetrators to increase their persecution of the Christian community. "It's spreading like wildfire," he said. Nepal has strict anti-conversion laws, which have been an impetus for opposition against the country's Christian population. Anyone convicted of participating in proselytization of any kind faces a sentence of up to six years in prison. For more information on the persecution facing followers of Jesus in Nepal, go to our country report. On behalf of the Christians in Nepal who are experiencing increased persecution, please pray for their needed protection, guidance and encouragement as they faithfully seek to fulfill Christ's mandate to share the Gospel message. May the Lord provide the members of these recently attacked churches with the resources required to repair the damages inflicted by hostile community members. Additionally, pray that the authorities would take action to prevent further violence against our Nepalese brothers and sisters in Christ, bringing to justice those who are responsible for these attacks. NIGERIA: Seminary Student Dies in Fire​ Sources: ACN International, Catholic News Agency, Daily Post​ Na'aman Danlami Photo: Aid to the Church in Need ​ In what appears to have been a failed kidnapping attempt, a Catholic seminary student died of smoke inhalation on September 7th after the parish rectory was set on fire. The priest and his ministry assistant were able to escape the fire, but 25-year-old Na'aman Danlami was unable to get out of the building in time. According to news reports, Fulani bandits attempted to enter the rectory of the St. Raphael parish in Fadan Kamantan, a town located in southern Kaduna State. It is believed that they intended to kidnap the parish priest, Emmanuel Okolo. Unable to gain access into the building, the assailants set the residence on fire. The assault lasted for more than an hour, even though a military checkpoint is situated only a kilometre away. The attackers eventually fled the area. Addressing concerns over this recent incident, the chair for the Kaduna Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, stated: "Security is everyone's business; it is disappointing that this kind of unholy activity could be recorded at the heart of [the] Fadan Kamantan community, and [that] the criminals operate unchallenged. It is a slap to the security forces within that jurisdiction. It is a slap to the religious leaders, [as well as to the] traditional and community leaders." For more information on the violence being encountered by Nigerian Christians, go to our country report. Pray for all those who are now mourning the loss of this young Christian man. May each one of these grieving believers be filled with God's love, comfort and perfect peace through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. In the midst of ongoing attacks perpetrated by the members of various militant groups, please continue to prayerfully uphold our persecuted Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ, asking the Lord to provide greatly needed protection to those in Kaduna and other areas of this troubled African nation. INDONESIA: Worshippers Threatened with Death​ Sources: Radar Sumbar, Morning Star News, Kompas.id​ Photo: VOMC ​ The Sola Gratia congregation of the Bethel Indonesia Church meets in various homes in Jalan Banuaran, a village located in Padang, Indonesia. As the Christians were gathered for worship in the rented home of Juni Anton Zai on the evening of August 29th, a hostile woman in the community broke the windows of the house and demanded that those inside stop worshipping. According to Pastor Hiatani Ziduhu Hia, the woman, who was later identified as Liza, claimed to be the owner of the house. Shortly after this incident, Liza's husband came to the house, along with two of his brothers. Armed with a machete and a wooden club, the men demanded that the worship meeting stop, and then threatened to kill the Christians if they refused. The believers continued to pray while the pastor tried in vain to calmly diffuse the situation. Pastor Hiatani explained to the assailants that the landlord already knows the house is occasionally used as a place of worship, and that the head of their Indonesian community is also aware of the church's activities. It was eventually ascertained that the woman is a relative of the owner and lives in the back of a nearby house. Although the police detained Liza, they are referring to the incident as a "misunderstanding." Pastor Hiatani hopes that the authorities will take the situation seriously, particularly because of the death threats, and endeavour to resolve the issue fairly. To read about further incidents of opposition towards Christians in Indonesia, go to our country report. Pray that there will truly be a peaceful resolution to this volatile situation, allowing the church members who are renting the home to continue living there safely, despite the opposition. May God work mightily in the hearts and minds of the opposing community members, as well as the authorities involved in the case, so that harmonious relationships can be built between the tenants and the landlord's family. This email was sent to keitherichobkirk@hotmail.com Why did I get this? Unsubscribe from all emails. Update subscription preferences. The Voice of the Martyrs Canada · P.O. Box 608 · Streetsville, ON L5M 2C1 · Canada​