Our Father,
We thank You for all of our blessings, great and small.  Today, we pray that You comfort and sustain all those who have been bereaved in militant attacks in Nigeria.  We pray that God will raise up new leaders for the two churches who have lost their pastors to extremist violence.  We pray that the suffering of their families and congregations will lessen.  Indeed, we pray that you will bring comfort and peace to Christians under attack all around the world.  Thank you, God, for the strong overcoming faith of Your people in Nigeria. We continue to pray for wisdom, resolve and courage.  We are also praying for the Nigerian authorities as they work to stamp out this terrible, extremist threat.
In the name of Your son, Jesus, we pray.
Amen.

Text, picture and prayer were sourced from Release International, Voice of Persecuted Christians.  Please Read Nigeria: Pastors Killed in Extremist Raid.

"In Yobe state, suspected Boko Haram Islamist extremists opened fire in a church in Dorawa town on Thursday, killing the pastor and his two children. They then set fire to the church and two other buildings, before fleeing.

"Meanwhile, in Borno state, Pastor Sunday was killed on Thursday when militants raided and set fire to his Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) in Barawa village near the Mandara mountains of Gwoza, according to Release partner Stefanos Foundation. Another EYN church was burned down in nearby Chikide village."

Our Father,
We Pray that the USA will once again give great praise to You and rise to protect those suffering in Your name around the world.  To work to protect Christians seems a noble cause for this country, founded in acknowledgement of Your Great Will.  We pray that to now turn as champions for the Lord will help to mitigate the pouring out of wrath on our land.  We pray for the protection of Christians all around the world.  We pray that our governing body realizes the goodness in this act.  We pray that supportive vote is achieved. 

May Your Will Be Done. 
In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.


International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: [email protected]

Media Contact: Henry Jones, Public Relations Director [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

International Christian Concern Supports Special Envoy Legislation; Praises House, Prods Senate

Washington, DC
September 27, 2013

Jeff King, President of International Christian Concern, praised the House of Representatives for passing a resolution calling for the creation of a special diplomatic envoy for religious freedom in the Middle East. Mr. King stated that the legislation, which passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 402 to 22, unequivocally signals that the United States will not tolerate the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. 

Mr. King asserted that "the cause of the Christian minority in the Middle East  requires more attention and advocacy from the United States Government. Recent governmental and societal changes have eroded or destroyed many of the few protections held by Christian minorities in the region. Many Christians in the region are regarded by national majorities not as fellow citizens, but as extensions of American interests. They are abused accordingly."

International Christian Concern expressed special gratitude to Representative Frank Wolf (VA-10) for sponsoring the legislation, and for his aggressive advocacy in support of religious freedom. Mr. King expressed the hope that the Senate will soon follow the House with an overwhelming bipartisan approval of the resolution.

International Christian Concern is a non-profit organization devoted to raising global awareness of the persecution of Christians, providing relief to the persecuted, and advocating on their behalf. Its website, persecution.org, provides breaking news and analysis of  religious persecution and intolerance. 

For interviews, contact Henry Jones, Public Relations Director:  [email protected]

# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church.  For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

There is very good news for Pastor Abedini today!  See the post below; it is a day of international prayer for Pastor Saeed!  Adding to this powerful effort is a rescue mission finally underway! 

Please visit this link to read more...




"A rescue mission is underway for Saeed Abedini, an  American Christian pastor imprisoned in Iran. Rev Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, leaves Sunday for Turkey to ask for Abedini's release. He hopes to meet with high ranking Iranian officials as a religious peer rather than as a political foe. Pray that the hearts of Iranian leaders would be softened. Pray also for Mahoney's safety."

Recently, the focus has definitely been on Pastor Saeed.  Tomorrow is an international day of prayer for Pastor Abedini.  Please check this list for a vigil located in your area.  If none, please drop to your knees and join thousands in prayer for Pastor Saeed.



Thursday, September 26th, is the one-year mark of Pastor Saeed's illegal imprisonment in Iran for his Christian faith.  One year apart from his wife and kids.  One year of torment in chains for Christ.

On Thursday, thousands of people in dozens of cities literally across the globe will gather to pray for Pastor Saeed.

Will you join them?

Thousands of people – one day – one prayer: that Pastor Saeed would be released to return to his family.

Vigils are planned in cities in almost every state in America and in more than a dozen other nations worldwide.  Learn more and attend the location nearest you.

Pray for Pastor Saeed.

Jordan Sekulow
ACLJ Executive Director

P.S. If you are able to attend, please send any pictures or video of the event to [email protected].

Our Father,

We pray again today to thank You for all of our blessings.  Your Will Be Done, though we can't understand.  May You bring hope and comfort to those Christians imprisoned in Your Holy Name.  May your Underground Church continue to thrive and, just like Paul and Christian martyrs of old, may your servants be an inspiration to their jailors so they may convert to strong belief in Your Son, Jesus.  We drop to our knees in this prayer and give great thanks that You have forgiven us our great and many sins.  We are ever so grateful that you continue to work to bring us to Your Glory.

In the Name of Jesus We Pray.  Amen



"...two of the prisoners released from Iran's notorious Evin prison are Christ-followers. E3 Partners' Tom Doyle: "We want to thank God that these two women, these two believers are released. That is wonderful news to receive." But, there's still a desperate need for prayer. "We certainly prayed, but it didn't happen that two of the key ones were let go, so we need to just keep praying for them." Doyle says officials view U.S. pastor Saeed Abedini and Pastor Farshid Fathi (FAR-SHEED FATH-EE) as 'prized possessions'. Pray for their release. "Pastor Saeed and Pastor Fathi had quite a network, and that's what they're trying to do is break up any kind of network and the influence." "

Read Nearly a Dozen Captives Freed; Prayer Needed for Those Who Remain at Mission Network News.

      
Take Action  |  Contribute
 
Today, we are launching the largest online campaign in ACLJ history.

And it's all for Pastor Saeed, a U.S. citizen imprisoned in Iran simply because he is a Christian.

It's been nearly one year – 52 weeks – since Pastor Saeed's illegal captivity at the hands of the Iranians.

Now, Iran has a new president, and he claims to be more moderate than his predecessor.

We're going to hold him to his word.

Using a brand-new website that raises awareness for the persecuted church and gives a voice to the voiceless, we're asking you to write a letter to President Hassan Rouhani asking that he free Pastor Saeed. We've written text you can use, or you can customize to send your own message, but our goal is simple: 52,000 letters asking President Rouhani to save Saeed.

We will send President Rouhani 1,000 letters every week until Pastor Saeed is free.

Be heard.  Help save Saeed.

Write a Letter to Save Pastor Saeed.

Jordan Sekulow
ACLJ Executive Director

Prayer and text from India Widows Attacked for Refusing to Deny Christ, by Release International, visit to for more information.






Extremists in India have brutally beaten two Christian widows for refusing to reconvert to Hinduism.

In one attack, Laxmi Sovi was attacked by three men who forced their way into her home in Kakadi Beda village in Chhattisgarh state, demanding she and her children return to Hinduism. Laxmi fled into the jungle with her family and took refuge there overnight. When she returned home next morning, she found her house had been demolished.

In an earlier attack, also last month, extremists in Chickmagalur, Karnataka state, dragged a widow named Doddamma and her daughter to a Hindu temple and beat Doddamma unconscious when she refused to reconvert to Hinduism. Their home was burgled and vandalised. All three women required hospital treatment.

~*~

Dear Father,

We give you great thanks for all of our blessings, for we know they come directly from you.  We pray that these women will know that GOD is their refuge and strength.  We pray that local Christians will care for and protect them.  We pray that local officials will come to know Your Word, and that you take a tough stance against such attacks.  We pray that the government of India will rise to protect the rights of Christians and to do everything in its power to prevent such violence against helpless women.  Please lift the hearts of these precious victims.  May Your will be done.  In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray.

Amen

~*~

'Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
Deuteronomy 27:19

Our Father,

We thank You for all of our blessings today.  We know they come directly from You.  Please forgive us, the race of man, though You have given us everything, we continue to harm and destroy one another.  Please protect and shelter Christians in Syria and elsewhere, who suffer due to their faith and belief in You.  We rest knowing You are at the helm and are implementing Your Great Plan.  In our love for You, we know deep in our hearts that one day all will run like clockwork according to Your Blueprint for Living; all will be well with the world and with all of us, Your servants.  In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray.

Amen.

"As international pressure continues on Syria, news from Christians inside and outside the country is bad. One ministry leader reports that every day, the Syrian Free Army shoots Christians and bombs their area. Now they report that Christians are being hung on crosses. Another Syrian believer reports that if America gets involved, the West will be blamed and Christians will become the ultimate scapegoat. Israel will also be dragged into it. Believers in Syria are asking and pleading for your prayers!"

Picture and text taken from Christians asked to pray for Syria at Mission Network News.

Read Presbyterian Pastor in Bangladesh Shot Six Times at Open Doors USA.

"As Pastor Arun Kanti Chakma was quietly sleeping inside his church, attackers burst in and shot him six times, ending his life.  The unidentified attackers escaped without a struggle.

"Arun Chakma, 40, pastor of a Presbyterian church in the Bangladeshi village of Tapitapara, Khagrachari, a district in Chittagong, Southeast Bangladesh, was murdered around 12 a.m. on Saturday, July 13. He is survived by his wife Shupta (35) and their only daughter, thirteen-year-old Gayetree. "


Father,

as Shupta and Gayetree mourn the loss of Arun, husband and father, we pray that You would comfort their hearts and encourage their souls. Provide for them in the loss of the leader of their home. We pray also for the some 30 Christian families, left now without a shepherd. Raise up godly teachers and leaders to pastor this flock, Your church in Khagrachari. We join Bengali Christians in praying for peace to rule in Bangladesh in the upcoming elections and beyond. In the name of Jesus who protects and sustains us in times of trouble,

Amen

" “There is not a single day without the discovery of a body in the river
Oubangui” shared a distraught Open Doors (OD) source reporting from Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic. “Early August Islamists stopped a commercial vehicle and executed all its travelers. They put the corpses in bags and threw them into the river. What a horror! We counted in one week in Bangui over 100 murders. And we don’t even speak about the killings in the interior or the continuing rape of women. I cannot keep record of these any more…these scenes overwhelm me. At 18:00 everybody is already at home and in the house. But in spite of this, they come and take away and kill.” "

Please read Not A Day Without Trauma at Open Doors USA.






Father,

as leaders of Your church in CAR seek to respond to the violence in ways that honor You, we pray for their protection, for wisdom and discernment, and that You would use even the earthly means of the international community to bring help. We pray for Your grace and comfort to fill the people of CAR who have faced months of trauma, that You would be especially near to them, a present help in this time of trouble. We pray that You would draw many who do not yet know You to call upon Christ for salvation. Father today, we ask that You shower Chancela Gbodéka with divine healing for both the  physical and emotional scars that she endured. Father be her comfort and her protector in the days ahead. Lord Jesus we give our thanks and praise  for Your clear presence in the release of Pastor Nicolas Grekoyame Gbangouon. Even as we pray for the churches in CAR to stand with courage for Your truth and in compassion for people of CAR, we pray that You would watch over them. In the name of Jesus, our present help in times of trouble,
 
Amen.