Prayer for the Persecuted

Today is the day to pray!

2011-11-06T10:26:00.001+13:00

Today is IDOP 2011. If you can, please try and make it along to one of our public prayer meetings - see http://www.idop.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=902&Itemid=2 for details.

If you can't make it along, please join us online at our Facebook page and post prayer comment on the wall.

-In Christ,
the IDOP NZ team

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Mission Network News - Three Christians die in Eritrean military camps

2011-10-27T09:14:00.000+13:00

Mission Network News: Three Christians die in Eritrean military camps
POSTED: 26 OCTOBER, 2011
Topics in this story: eritrea , imprisonment , military camps , open doors , persecution

Eritrea (MNN) ― After being denied even the most basic of needs, three Christians died in Eritrean military camps over the last few weeks.

Open Doors, USA received word of two Christian women who have died during the course of the last week in the Adersete Military Camp in western Eritrea. According to a reliable source, Terhase Gebremichel Andu, age 28, and Ferewine Genzabu Kifly, age 21, were detained in a secret dungeon-like confinement intended for religious prisoners.

IDOP 2011 MEDIA RELEASE

2011-10-21T16:46:00.001+13:00

IDOP 2011 MEDIA RELEASE

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is Sunday 6th of November 2011. This annual event is aimed at encouraging prayer for the persecuted Church. Here in New Zealand four ministries - Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs, Bibles in Action, and Gospel for Asia - are getting behind IDOP and promoting prayer in New Zealand for persecuted Christians around the world.

Hebrews 13:3 says, "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body."

Today over 100 million Christian believers are suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ. They are threatened, arrested, imprisoned ...and some are even killed. IDOP organisers are challenging Kiwis to “walk in their shoes” and remember the persecuted as if we ourselves were imprisoned with them.

Examples of persecuted Christians that IDOP highlights include Asia Bibi, a young Christian mother of four in Pakistan who has been sentenced to death under that nation’s oppressive blasphemy laws. In 2009, Asia defended her faith against mocking co-workers who tried to make her convert to Islam. She was later convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death. After a lengthy trial, on Nov. 8, 2010, she was sentenced to death by a judge. If her appeal is rejected, Asia would be the first woman to be lawfully executed under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. She remains in prison, waiting to hear the high court’s ruling.

“Pray For Us”

Believers like Asia Bibi and many others need our prayer. This year New Zealanders will again be joining with others in over 130 nations to walk alongside our persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer during IDOP, and pray for believers in nations like Pakistan, Iran, and Somalia, among others.

“Most Kiwi believers have no experience of the cost to follow Christ in some restricted nations - and yet as followers of Christ we are called to remember in prayer our persecuted fellow believers just as if we we're in prison beside them.” Say IDOP organisers. “If we were in prison right now with church or family members for being Christians, how would we be praying?”

Organisers are asking Christians to commit to being a part of IDOP this year, and to make time to pray regularly for persecuted Christians. The IDOP New Zealand website has full details of how people can get involved. Visitors to the website can download the current PowerPoint presentation with prayer requests and information, a promotional video for use in churches or home groups, and register and advertise their own IDOP prayer meetings online. Learn more at www.idop.org.nz.

**END**

Please note: in some nations, IDOP is being observed on 13-November. If you receive any other news releases from other sources (e.g. Christian Post, Christianity Today, etc) please amend the date to 6th November for New Zealand.

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP Downloads now open!

2011-10-21T16:40:00.000+13:00

Video, Powerpoint, and PDF files to resource your IDOP 2011 prayer event now online, with no login required. Click the link below to download and join us in prayer for the persecuted on Sunday 6th November

Downloads

Ps. Brian Anderson's speaks of a friend of his in Ethiopia...

2011-10-18T11:30:00.000+13:00

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Court verdict on Iranian pastor issued soon

2011-10-11T09:31:00.000+13:00

Mission Network News: Court verdict on Iranian pastor issued soon
POSTED: 10 OCTOBER, 2011
Topics in this story: iran , middle east , nadarkhani , nettleton , vom

Pastor Yousef Nardarkhani faces execution on trumped-up charges.
Iran (MNN) ― The plight of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani could come as early as today. Nadarkhani was charged and convicted on apostasy charges and could face the death penalty. Some have called Nadarkhani a member of a cult. However, that's irrelevant in this case.

Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says, "Clearly, in the eyes of the Iranian government, this is a case where they're attacking someone, persecuting someone for being a Christian, and the repercussions of that could sort of filter out into other Christian groups as well."

Read more here.

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Petition To Free Asia Bibi

2011-10-10T13:41:00.001+13:00

For more info and to sign the petition go to: http://www.callformercy.com/IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Helen Berhane

2011-10-06T16:12:00.001+13:00

This was written by our friends at Open Doors Australia. Remember Helen Berhane? She along with many others, was imprisoned for her faith inside bare shipping containers in Eritrea, Africa. Read her story below:

Helen Berhane

Singer imprisoned in shipping container to tour Australia in August

Gospel singer Helen Berhane, who was imprisoned in a shipping container in the East African state of Eritrea and brutally tortured for her faith, will be visiting Australia in August. Helen was detained for two years by the military junta in Eritrea, during which she was severely beaten and kept in a metal box in the desert heat. Open Doors estimates that there are currently over 2,000 Christians detained in Eritrea for their faith.

Here we share an excerpt from Helen Berhane’s book, Song of the Nightingale telling some of the story Helen will share in words and song during her August tour.

A single candle flickers, its flame barely illuminating the darkness. They never burn for more than two hours after the container door is locked: there is not enough oxygen to keep the flame alive any longer. It will go out soon.

Despite the proximity of so many people, it is freezing cold. Condensation drips from the roof and slides down my cheek, and when it moistens my lips I taste rust. The air is thick with a dirty metallic tang, the ever-present stench of the bucket in the corner, and the smell of close-pressed, unwashed bodies.

I peer around, trying to work out where she is, the woman whose mind is gone. There, by the small window hacked roughly into the side of the container.

I stiffen. Sometimes she blocks the opening by stuffing her blanket into it, cutting off our limited supply of fresh air. Other nights she shouts and wails, rocking the container so that none of us can sleep. She is worse now there are more of us; nineteen in a space that can only sleep eighteen. Tonight she is quiet, and it makes me uneasy.

But I am so tired, and so I force my body to relax against the hard floor. Abruptly the candle snuffs out, I close my eyes, and think of my daughter. Please Lord, keep her safe. The floor creaks. Someone must be getting up and stumbling across the sleepers to the toilet bucket. I try to shut the noise out.

Suddenly, without warning, hands close on my neck like a vice. My eyes fly open, but it is too dark to see. Then there is a guttural snarl, and I know that it is her, the madwoman, her fingers tight on my throat. I push myself up but I have no breath to scream, and I am not strong enough to shake her off. So I do the only thing I can do: I bang my free hand on the wall of the container and kick out.

All around us prisoners are waking up. One tries to pull her away from me, but now she has one hand on my throat and the other knotted in my hair, yanking it away from my scalp. I gulp down a breath and manage a scream. The other prisoners start to shout too, and bang the sides of the container.

There are shouts now coming from outside, and the sound of hurrying feet, the noise of the bolts sliding back and the pop as air rushes into the container and then the doors are flung open.

My eyes burn as torchlight sears across my face, and then a guard is yanking her away from me and beating her about the head and body with his baton. I fall onto all fours, gasping in air. The guards pull her out of the container, and slam the door again.

Sometimes I cannot believe that this is my life: these four metal walls, all of us corralled like cattle, the pain, the hunger, the fear. All because of my belief in a God who is risen, who charges me to share my faith with those who do not yet know him, and who I am forbidden to worship.

I think back to a question I have been asked many times over my months in prison: ‘Is your faith worth this, Helen?’ And as I take a deep breath of the sour air, as my scalp stings, the mad woman rants outside, and the guards continue on their rounds, I whisper the answer ‘Yes’.

Be part of IDOP this year at www.idop.org.nz

Missionary Attacked with Swords, Left for Dead - Gospel for Asia

2011-09-26T02:59:00.000+13:00

Missionary Attacked with Swords, Left for Dead - Gospel for Asia

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

International Day of Prayer - New Zealand

2011-09-23T02:22:00.000+12:00

Just made some updates to the page for this year's IDOP event. Do you like the "Walk in their Shoes" slogan/logo? do you think it will help get the message across about partnering in prayer for persecuted believers? We'd love to know your thoughts! comment below or on our facebook page.

International Day of Prayer - New Zealand

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them... (Hebrews 13:3)

Today over 160 million Christian believers are suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ. They are threatened, arrested, imprisoned ...and some are even killed for their faith.

Most of us reading this have no real idea of the cost to follow Christ in some restricted nations - and yet we are called to remember in prayer our persecuted fellow believers just as if we're in prison beside them. Can you imagine that? To have been arrested for attending church or home group this week? Or even for praying with your family this morning?

If you were in prison right now with church or family members for being Christians, how would you be praying? Very fervently, of course! If we're honest, how many of us pray like that for fellow Christians who are suffering in prison right now?

We can all make a start by taking time to get informed and pray today for persecuted Christians. And on Sunday the 6th of November we can join together to remember the persecuted in prayer during the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP for short). We're all part of the same Body with our suffering brothers and sisters, and we can all "walk in their shoes" in prayer.

Click here to find out more about praying for the persecuted and be a part of IDOP on Sunday 6th November 2011.

Pastor Takes a Beating, Remains Joyful - Gospel for Asia media release

2011-09-07T13:58:00.001+12:00

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Pastor Takes a Beating, Remains Joyful

Gospel for Asia
For Immediate Release

Kavi is one of many who have experienced hardships for Christ's sake. This pastor endured the brutal anti-Christian attacks that took place in Orissa, India, in 2008.

SOUTH ASIA (ANS) -- Gospel for Asia-supported pastor Kavi Das, who serves in a volatile region in South Asia, endured a harsh beating while sharing the love of Christ with his neighbors. The unprovoked attack came without warning from a man Kavi was speaking to.

Kavi is doing well and is on the mend. The local GFA leader visited the pastor to encourage him in his ministry.

Kavi isn't new to persecution. He has faced threats for showing films about Jesus, also, along with actively proclaiming the saving grace of God.

"For the sake of the Gospel, he has gone through a lot of opposition and scary situations in his life," said a GFA field correspondent.

Even with all the persecution, Kavi remains joyful as he thinks about the way the Lord will continue to grow his ministry in the coming days.

Please keep Kavi-and all the other national missionaries facing inevitable persecution-in your prayers.

For more information contact:

Gospel for Asia NZ

P.O. Box 302580

North Harbour

Auckland 0751

t: 0508-918-918

ddi: 09-918-8055 (intl. +6499188055)

m: 021-187-6898 (intl. +64211876898)

e: mikeardern@gfa.org

Skype: ardernz

w: www.gfa.org.nz

IDOP 2011

2011-05-06T10:42:00.000+12:00

Beginning planning and thinking for IDOP 2011. Please add your comments and ideas for what you'd like to see happen in prayer for the persecuted in NZ this year?

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Pray for Asia Bibi

2010-12-11T22:32:00.000+13:00

By now, we're sure many of you will be aware of the death sentence handed down to a Pakistani mother after she was accused under Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws. Please read the summary below and keep informed of this issue. Pray for Asia Bibi and her family. Pray that Christians in Pakistan will continue to stand for Christ.

Here's the summary below from VOM USA:

Persecution.com: "PAKISTAN: ASIA BIBI—DEATH SENTENCE

On Nov. 8, Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by a judge in Pakistan, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The judge also fined Asia $1,190 (U.S.) and told her she had seven days to appeal the decision. VOM contacts reported that her attorney will appeal the sentence.

Asia was arrested by police on June 19, 2009, and charged with blasphemy after she engaged in a religious discussion with co-workers. Many of the local women, including Asia, worked on the farm of Muslim landowner Muhammad Idrees. During their work, many of the Muslim women had pressured Asia to renounce Christianity and accept Islam. Her family is one of only three Christian families in a village of more than 1,500 families."

IDOP 2010: Richard Wurmbrand on prayer

2010-11-15T13:01:00.002+13:00

from Voice of the Martyrs' Canada blog:

IDOP 2010: Pray with us this Sunday: "Richard Wurmbrand wrote about the power of prayer in the May 1989 The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter:
Prayer has more power than an atomic bomb. It has changed both Russia and China, where the situation has eased to some extent, though the governments are still decidedly anti-religious. The chief cause of this change has been the loving prayers of the sufferers for their henchmen, seconded by the prayers in the West of Christians we have alerted and informed.

When I was in prison, Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Baptists, Pentecostals and Adventists were all in the same cells and endured the same atrocities. Instead of arguing about less important things, we united in love and prayer for the killers, and we used every occasion to tell our torturers about Christ.

This Sunday, we encourage you to join with believers around the world and pray for Christians who suffer for their faith during the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Downloadable resources such as prayer points, Bible readings, devotionals, video, testimonies and children’s material are still available at http://www.idop.org/.

Just as the Apostle Paul asked the church in Thessalonica to pray, we ask you to stand with us and pray for those in the midst of persecution, that God would continue to work in their lives and do a work in the hearts of those around them.
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honuored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5).

"

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Promote IDOP on your Twitter or Facebook profiles

2010-11-09T16:34:00.000+13:00

For those of you just beginning your IDOP countdown, check out the 'twibbons' for use on Twitter or Facebook at the link below

http://twibbon.com/join/IDOP

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

how was your IDOP prayer meeting?

2010-11-08T14:05:00.002+13:00

Let's encourage one another - we'd love to hear from you:
Did you pray for the persecuted on Sunday? If so, how was your IDOP prayer meeting?

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Time to pray - IDOP is today (NZ)

2010-11-07T14:46:00.000+13:00

You post. We'll pray together. Today is IDOP Sunday. Post your prayer here as a comment, or over on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/idopnz) and let's remember our suffering brothers and sisters together today.

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Persecution in India

2010-11-04T11:07:00.000+13:00

If you haven't seen this short video from Ps. Francis Chan, about persecution in India, it's well worth the watch...

(a word of warning: does contain some scenes that may disturb)

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP Prayer Meetings this Sunday

2010-11-02T10:20:00.000+13:00

We now have 11 meetings registered on the website, from North Auckland to Invercargill. Click the link below to find out more
Meetings

There are so many relevant needs to pray for regarding persecution of Christians. Will you join us in praying for
- Iraq "Christians Mourn After Massacre"
- Somalia http://www.opendoorsusa.org/persecuted-christians/persecuted-country-profiles/somalia/
- Myanmar: with 'elections' fast approaching, pressure on ethnic Christians has increased.

Also, if you can't get to a meeting on Sunday, you can still pray! Start with logging in at www.idop.org.n z and downloading this year's prayer points in pdf format, and ask your home group or a friend or two to join you.

"Remember the persecuted"

IDOP 2010 prayer point #6 - Afghanistan

2010-10-28T15:12:00.000+13:00

The constitution states 'no law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of Islam.' Most Christians are secret believers unable even to own a Bible. If exposed, Christians face fierce reprisals from family, community and the Taliban, including expulsion from their homes, verbal and physical abuse, intimidation, beatings, loss of employment, imprisonment and even death. There is no visible Church; yet the Church continues to grow. Read more here

Often in the news, but is it in our prayers? Please see below for prayer points for Afghanistan.

Pray for the safety of Afghan believers whose faith has been made public.
Pray that secret believers would gain access to God’s Word through satellite TV and radio programmes.
Pray for peace, stability and freedom of religion in this troubled region.

For a PowerPoint file with all of this year's IDOP NZ prayer items, visit http://www.idop.org.nz/

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

If that were Christ, would you give Him your blanket?

2010-10-26T11:17:00.000+13:00

Excerpted from Voice of the Martyrs' NZ newsletter, March 2010.

Dear Friends,

The Lord says, “When your neighbour, who has no blanket, cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.” -Exodus 22:26-28

One of the first Christian books I ever read was entitled If that were Christ, would you give him your blanket? By Richard Wurmbrand. It told of the men that Richard shared prison cells with over his 14 years of incarceration – their miseries, their sufferings, their betrayals and their frailty. It also told of their generosity, their selflessness, their faith, and their victories.

Today in North Korea, nobody knows how many Christian there are. Al Christians’ meetings, Christian literature and Bibles are banned – forcing believers to meet secretly, at great personal risk to themselves and their families.

Many Christians have been sent to death camps and subjected to brutal treatment in appalling conditions. Many are tortured and abused, or simply worked to death. Entire families are know to have been imprisoned if just one member is found to be a Christian, or in possession of a Bible.

Many of us imagine what we would do in this situation. Would we remain true to Christ our Saviour? Would anyone remember us and try to help us? Would anyone pray for us?

Right now, in 2010, our brothers and sisters are suffering for their faith. They need a blanket, a Bible, a prayer – will we give them ours?

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP 2010 prayer point #5 - Uzbekistan

2010-10-21T11:25:00.000+13:00

The next prayer focus for IDOP NZ 2010 is for Uzbekistan. From Open Doors USA:

Government control of the Uzbek church through the SNB (former KGB) is very strong. All religious communities have to be registered, but it is a long, tiresome and almost impossible process for the Protestant church. Often registration is refused or even withdrawn after it has been granted. There is no Uzbek indigenous church with registration.

Pray:

For perseverance for new believers under pressure to return to Islam
For church leaders to remain faithful despite much opposition
Praise God that many Christians are sharing the gospel!
Pray that the church would continue to grow.

A PowerPoint file with all of this year's prayer focus points is available for download at http://www.idop.org.nz/ (requires a simple login for download).

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Persecuted but not forsaken - IDOP NZ 2010 Video

2010-10-18T10:10:00.000+13:00

The full high-quality version of this trailer is available for download at www.idop.org.nz/downloads

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP 2010 Prayer Point #4 - Eritrea

2010-10-15T09:21:00.000+13:00

–Pray for the Christian young people doing military service; that they will stand firm in their faith despite the pressure to deny Christ.

–Pray for wives and children of prisoners; that they will be provided for, comforted and strengthened in their faith.

–Pray for believers who do not have access to bibles or to other Christian literature.

–Pray that the Lord will comfort Christians imprisoned for their faith and give them strength to endure.

–Pray for those who persecute the church; that their eyes will be opened to the truth.

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Prayers For Somali Family

2010-10-11T15:11:00.000+13:00

Dear Prayer Warriors

Please uplift in prayer the Hasan family from Somalia, their 15 year old daughter was kidnapped in February. Please read the story below and respond with prayers for the family, their daughter and those who kidnapped her.

God bless

FLASH from COMPASS DIRECT NEWS

News from the Frontlines of Persecution

Summary:

MOGADISHU, Somalia, October 6 (Compass Direct News) – An underground Christian family from central Somalia is agonizing over the kidnapping of their daughter nearly eight months ago by Islamic militants bent on punishing those who leave Islam. Ghelle Hassan Aded told Compass that he has not seen his 15-year-old daughter, Anab Ghelle Hassan, since Islamic extremists from the al Shabaab (“the Youth”) insurgency kidnapped her on Feb. 15. The family formed part of a growing movement of underground Christians in Dhusa Mareb, said other sources in Somalia who confirmed the kidnapping. The al Shabaab insurgents fighting the Transitional Federal Government began monitoring the family’s activities in 2008, Aded said, and often questioned him about their lack of attendance at the local mosque. On Feb. 15 relatives told him they saw al Shabaab insurgents kidnap his daughter at 10 a.m. at the local market. Knowing that the insurgents would soon come after the rest of his family, Aded said, he fled immediately with his wife, 11-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son to Puntland. At their undisclosed location in Puntland, the family appeared devastated by the kidnapping, with Aded’s wife often weeping over the loss, but they said they maintain hope of seeing Anab again. Al Shabaab insurgents control much of southern and central Somalia and have embarked on a campaign to rid the country of its hidden Christian population. With estimates of al Shabaab’s size ranging from 3,000 to 7,000, the insurgents seek to impose a strict version of sharia (Islamic law).

IDOP 2010 Prayer Point #3 - Egypt

2010-10-07T10:00:00.001+13:00

The third prayer point we'd like to focus on this year is for Egyptian believers. See the prayer points below.

For more information on Egypt, visit Open Doors USA's country profile here.

Pray:

–For strength and protection for believers facing violence and death threats

–For wisdom and courage for church leaders working to support believers from a Muslim background

–For Christians from a Muslim background to find fellowship and help for them to mature in the Lord.

–For a change in the law to establish true freedom of religion

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Free To Believe Campaign

2010-10-04T14:09:00.009+13:00

Open Doors has a petition running to protest the passing of the UN resolution on the “Defamation of Religions Resolution” If passed, this resolution could have serious consequences for Christians living in Muslim-contexts. Please read the press release below, and visit www.freetobelieve.org.nz to download and sign the petition.

Dear Friends,

This is a crucial year in the fight to preserve religious freedom worldwide.

The Defamation of Religions Resolution, which has been put before the United Nations, seeks to criminalize words or actions as attacks against a particular religion, namely Islam.

As incredible as it sounds, passing this resolution could allow a Christian to be persecuted under UN approval!

Voice your protest of this resolution by signing the petition

Find out more and download petition by visiting www.freetobelieve.org.nz

Visit the Open Doors website

Video: North Korea

2010-10-01T09:33:00.000+13:00

Thanks to Open Doors for producing and sharing this eye-opening video about the situation for Christians in North Korea.

There may be some good news in the leadership changes occuring in NK in recent weeks...From Mission Network News' report in 29/09/10 (see http://www.mnnonline.org/article/14784)

The Open Doors World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians in the world has named North Korea as No. 1 on the list for eight straight years.
However, Paul Estabrooks with Open Doors was in North Korea just last month. He says he sensed a change in the spiritual atmosphere. "As we traveled," said Estabrooks, "we were allowed to pray publicly. We sensed that there maybe just a little more relaxation on the spiritual. We certainly hope that will continue and be openings for freedom of worship in the country."
Dr. Carl Moeller, president/CEO of Open Doors USA, says: "Change has come to North Korea. We need to pray that the change will be a positive one for the Christians there -- including the estimated 70,000 believers who are suffering in North Korean prison camps where 200,000 people are held. We need to continue not only to pray, but also advocate for those brave Christians who live under brutal and nightmarish conditions with no basic freedoms."

Please pray for North Korea:

For boldness and protection for those seeking to share the good news
Ask God to strengthen the 50–70,000 Christians detained in labor camps
Many are desperately short of food. Pray that help will reach those who need it most

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP 2010 Prayer Point #2 - Nigeria

2010-09-29T16:22:00.002+13:00

Our second prayer focus point this year is for Nigeria. Please read the summary of recent persecution below, take note of the prayer points and join with us in prayer for believers in Nigeria.

Earlier this year, Christians in Nahawa, a small village in Northern Nigeria, were awakened by gunshots. By morning, more than 500 Christians in the area had been murdered, with homes and property ransacked by a militant anti-Christian gang. Even among such suffering, ministers also found hope: “It was amazing when we were allowed to worship with the believers. Even with all the death and destruction around them, they were praising the Lord for His goodness and mercy.” Believers remain steadfast in their faith despite the extreme persecution earlier this year.

Pray:

For comfort and healing for those bereaved or injured in religious violence.
For strength to forgive their persecutors and share the love of Christ.
For wisdom and courage for church leaders facing opposition from Islamic extremists.

For more information about Nigeria and the persecution of Christians there please visit Open Door's profile website here.

For a PowerPoint file with all of this year's IDOP NZ prayer items, visit http://www.idop.org.nz/

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP NZ website -ready

2010-09-29T12:56:00.001+13:00

The IDOP website is all go for 2010. Check it out at http://www.idop.org.nz/

Our 2010 downloads are now online and available on our downloads link.

We look forward to being part of praying for the persecuted with you.

In Christ,
-the IDOP NZ team

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

idop.org.nz site maintenance over the next few days

2010-09-27T12:31:00.002+13:00

We're working on moving the website to a new host. It will still look the same and everything, it will just make the whole thing (including the downloads) a lot easier to manage from our end. There might be some outages over the next few days.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

How Many Die for Jesus?

2010-09-22T16:16:00.001+12:00

This post is excerpted from Voice of the Martyrs NZ's bi-monthly news magazine. You can subscribe for free at www.persecution.co.nz

Dear Friends,

How many Christians for their faith each year? That's a question we are often asked. The answer is - we don't know. A 2009 report in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research (vol. 33, No. 1: 32) estimated that approximately 176,000 Christians were martyred from mid-2008 to mid-2009, but we have no idea if that is true or not.

Despite our modern technology making today's world a much smaller place, much of today's persecution still takes place in remote areas or countries with restricted access to modern communications.

Even email, which most of us consider a basic everyday tool is a struggle to use in places like Ethiopia, Burma, and much of central Africa. Even where it is more readily available eg. Egypt, Iran, China, and Vietnam, it is not secure.

Consequently much persecution goes unreported or is reported months, even years later. For many, persecution is such a part of everyday life that it hardly dawns on the afflicted to tell the world.

Then again many people are nervous about sharing what they know for fear of retribution and most church groups have limited resources and staff for documentation and research purposes anyway.

the reality is that most martyrs suffer and die anonymously - unknown and forgotten; their deaths recorded only in heaven.

That's why we remind you to pray - God (and only God) knows each one of His suffering children, and to Him they are not a mere statistic. We'll tell the stories of those we can, we show you there if access, we give you their names and we share their testimonies of faithfulness in the face of persecution to encourage you and to urge you to PRAY and DO what you can. How many die for Jesus each year? ....all of them!

Find out more about Voice of the Martyrs NZ at www.persecution.co.nz

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Site moving....

2010-09-20T15:32:00.002+12:00

We're working on moving the website to a new host. It will still look the same and everything, it will just make the whole thing (including the downloads) a lot easier to manage from our end.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP 2010 video and powerpoint resources

2010-09-17T10:35:00.001+12:00

For those of you who have visited the IDOP.org.nz site looking for this year's resources- we're sorry, but they won't be available for download until next week. We apologise for the delay. Please check back soon.
In Christ,
-the IDOP NZ team

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP 2010 prayer point #1 - Colombia

2010-09-15T14:45:00.001+12:00

We have produced a PowerPoint presentation with 8 prayer points for focus this year. This will be available from our downloads page at www.idop.org.nz in the next few days.

Here's the first place we'll be focusing on for praying for the persecuted for IDOP this year - COLOMBIA

Download of all prayer points at www.idop.org.nz

–Pray that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who are persecuting Christians will have their eyes and hearts opened to the gospel and will receive Christ.

–Pray that families of martyrs will be comforted, provided for and encouraged in their faith.

–Pray that Colombian Christians will be bold in their faith and successful in their witness. Pray for those who are working in Colombia, for their protection and sharing of the gospel.

–As parachutes are dropped into the Colombian jungle carrying Christian literature, pray for their success and that recipients attain real insight and understanding of their saviour.

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP NZ 2010: we're getting started...

2010-09-03T22:42:00.001+12:00

We're getting started with promoting IDOP 2010 and prayer for the persecuted over the next few weeks. So far the website's had a few tweaks (you can share it via your favourite social networks a lot easier now :-) We've also begun updating the prayer focus points for 2010 on powerpoint, and getting the promo vid ready for adding to the site's download page. In the next few weeks we'll be adding a few other features for you to be able to help us promote IDOP online. Keep an eye on this blog and we'll let you know as soon as each new update is added to the webpage. We're also getting our initial media releases ready for sending out to Christian media here in New Zealand.

We're keen to hear from you with any advice or questions you might have about how to improve IDOP. At the end of the day, it's all about raising up prayer here in New Zealand (and wherever you might be reading this) for our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters around the world. If you think you can help promote the cause of IDOP, either via your own online presence, or through talking with your church leadership and reminding them about IDOP, then please let us know.

Remembering the persecuted
- the IDOP NZ team

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

From our Twitter feed...

2010-06-21T16:02:00.000+12:00

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook page

More on the Two Iranian Christians released

2009-11-20T10:40:00.001+13:00

Mission Network News: "Iran (MNN) ― It is with great joy that Open Doors confirms the release of Maryam Rostampour, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30, today. For around nine months, the two Iranian Christian women have been held in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran.

A field worker from Open Doors shares: 'I am glad to let you know that Maryam and Marzieh are now set free without bail and that they are currently at home.'"

IDOP 2009 - some reports and comments

2009-11-10T10:08:00.000+13:00

Well... did you pray on Sunday 8th for persecuted Christians?!

If you didn't, that's ok - 'cause you can pray any time for the persecuted. In fact, the Lord commands us to remember those in prison and those who are mistreated, because we're all in the same Body of believers (see Hebrews 13:3)

In NZ we had six meetings around the country, from Auckland, right down to the far south in Invercargill. I was a part of a meeting at our church in Auckland, and it was a really blessed time - in fact, I didn't want it to stop :-) Lovely to gather with saints of all ages to pray for the persecuted.

Below is a photo from another Auckland church's prayer meeting. They organise a shipping container each year - to remind them of believers imprisoned in such containers in Eritrea.

Manukau New Life Church's "prayer container"! Literally a shipping container used to remind us of what it could be like to be imprisoned for faith in Christ.

Our Invercargill friends had a good time too:

We had a hui at Grace Presbyterian Church in Invercargill. There were about 10 of us. We really struggled to pray with understanding as it was very difficult to sympathise with what many of our brothers and sisters are faced with. My wife prayed some very real prayers concerning the people in Eritrea having to be co...ntained in shipping containers for the crime of owning the Lord Jesus Christ. We came away with a fresh appreciation for how blessed we are in this land, how real our freedom is and yet how secure the entire body of Christ is in the Hands of a loving, gracious, merciful and all together soveriegn Heavenly Father, who works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose and no matter what one of His beloved endures for the sake of Christ, it is to His eternal enjoyment and glory. AMEN.

Thanks for being a part of IDOP this year. We will endeavour to keep our Twitter, Facebook, and blog pages reasonably up-to-date, mainly linking to news that comes across our paths from VOMC, and the excellent Compass Direct, etc. You can also check what's happening for IDOP around the world via Twitter at our link to the #idop search tag at our post here.

In His grace,
- the IDOP NZ team

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook page

IDOP NZ Live Prayer and Comments Shared Here [refresh your browser to update]

2009-11-07T10:32:00.008+13:00

Prayer for the Persecuted: Why?

2009-11-06T16:19:00.000+13:00

(Thanks to VOM NZ for this excerpt from their October 2009 newsletter)

Christian persecution manifests itself in different ways, all with tragic, and in most cases, devastating results. In North Korea, Christians are incarcerated in concentration camps where, according to Soon Ok Lee, a camp survivor, "their fate is to be treated worse than animals."

Christians in Laos have been denied basic needs like water and electricity and some believers have been evicted from their homes and exiled from their villages. Members of the underground Chinese Church face imprisonment in labour camps, fines and torture. In Pakistan, Christians live oppressed lives with many of them working as bonded labourers to Muslim landlords. Converting to Christianity in Saudi Arabia warrants a death penalty. Christian converts in Bhutan can be forced to give up their citizenship and very often live as refugees in exile. In Georgia, evangelical Christians have been threatened with death and prevented from attending places of worship by mobs of people. In Vietnam, Christians have been declared insane for believing in God and placed in mental asylums.

IDOP annually aims to unite the worldwide Body of Christ on a single day for the express purpose of interceding for persecuted Christians. In NZ, three ministries, Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors, and Gospel for Asia, partner to support and promote IDOP each year.

We invite YOU to join us this Sunday 8th November to remember imprisoned and suffering believers and to persevere in prayer with them because "if one part (of the Body) suffers, every part suffers with it." -1 Corinthians 12:26

In God's amazing grace,
-the IDOP New Zealand team

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook page

Death Waiting at Church -India

2009-11-06T12:35:00.002+13:00

Please read the article below and pray with us for these believers in Uttar Pradesh, India

If You Go to Church, You Die - Gospel for Asia

If Kalyan Rai or Arvind Gudeep go to their churches, they may be murdered.
Kalyan and Arvind are two Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries in Uttar Pradesh, India. Within a short time, both pastors received death threats from extremists in their areas.
Arvind was holding special services for his congregation on November 2 when a gang of 41 anti-Christian extremists stormed into the church.

Please pray for these situations:

Both Kalyan and Arvind ask for urgent prayer...They deeply desire to stay in their places and continue to save hearts for eternity. Christians there request prayer that the extremists' eyes will be opened to see Jesus' love for them and that the incidents will be resolved peacefully.

View Larger Map

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook page

A technical note

2009-11-05T16:01:00.001+13:00

Hi,

some visitors to the www.idop.org.nz website have had trouble registering, and have therefore not been able to access the downloadable resources etc. Our apologies if you've experienced these problems! We've just had the issue with confirmation emails resolved, and have "enabled" all accounts as of now.

Please contact us if you have any further problems.

We're looking forward to joining with you and literally thousands of others around the world on Sunday to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters!

In Christ,

the IDOP New Zealand team

IDOP NZ '09 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP'09 Prayer Point #6: Eritrea

2009-11-05T14:40:00.002+13:00

Slide 10

The government has an orchestrated campaign against Christians, churches and their various social ministries.

- Pray that church leaders are able to tend to their congregations and that the Church remains strong in the face of this pressure.

- Pray for the thousands of Christians imprisoned in horrific conditions such as shipping containers.

- Pray for the health of all Christian prisoners, and that those released for medical reasons receive good treatment.

For more on Eritrea see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eritrea

View Larger Map

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook page

From Voice of the Martyrs Canada :: Persecution and Prayer Alert :: Providing Information and Support for Persecuted Christians

2009-11-05T09:59:00.001+13:00

From VOM Canada:

"Are you praying for the persecuted this Sunday?

This Sunday, November 8, Christians around the world will join together in prayer for suffering believers through The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Are you planning to pray?

Whether you pray as a church, with a group or individually, your prayers will be a powerful way to remember and uplift those suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ."

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada :: Persecution and Prayer Alert :: Providing Information and Support for Persecuted Christians

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada :: North Korea

2009-11-04T15:48:00.001+13:00

Graham Gallen from Voice of the Martyrs NZ recently met with some North Korean believers, prayed, and heard some amazing testimonies. Read more about NK at the VOM blog below and by clicking on the link.

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada :: North Korea :: Providing Information and Support for Persecuted Christians: "Many citizens attempt to escape North Korea’s deplorable conditions by fleeing to another country, but are frequently forced to return to face interrogation, torture, detention and often death. Those who do confess faith in Christ during the interrogation process have been known to be executed immediately.

Prayer Requests

* Pray frevently for what remains of the church in North Korea.
* Pray for strength and protection for prisoners of faith.
* Pray that God will reveal Himself to Kim Jong Il and graciously transform his heart and the hearts of his subordinates so that they will embrace Christ.
* Pray that Christians will have opportunities to share the love of Christ, even with those who oppress them."

Rhema Home Run Show Interviews

2009-11-03T16:49:00.001+13:00

Hi,

we're blessed to have Rob Holding from NZ's Rhema interview different people from the ministries behind the Int. Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church at 3.30pm each weekday this week. Keep an ear out at 3.30pm (New Zealand time, that is) tomorrow and Thursday to hear from Graham Gallen (Voice of the Martyrs), and the NZ director of Barnabas Fund.

You can listen online at the link below

http://www.rhema.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=3&Itemid=306

Thanks to Rob and Rhema for their support of IDOP again this year!

IDOP'09 - The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church - 8th November 2009

www.idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP'09 - Six days to go

2009-11-02T16:31:00.001+13:00

Hi,
IDOP 2009 is THIS Sunday, the 8th of November. If this is your first time checking out the blog and our website, then welcome! We hope you find the resources, stories, and downloads inspirational and that they'll motivate you to pray for persecuted Christians.

When I read or hear about stories like the one on this DVD "Malatya" (see http://malatyafilm.org/ ) I am so challenged with questions like "what would I do if... I was tortured, beaten, threatened for my faith?"

Perhaps, as a Kiwi believer, living in our fairly benign, free religious environment, a better question could be, "what am I doing with the freedom I have NOW?!" I may not EVER face what these three men faced on April 18th, 2007, but I can take the challenge of using my freedom day-to-day to make the most of the time I do have. To join with missionaries and believers in places like Turkey in prayer can make a difference for eternity, and in their lives now. Imagine being beaten or arrested for your faith. Imagine the difference it would make to you knowing Christians around the world were praying for YOU!

And actually, as Christians we're commanded to do it Hebrews 13:3 says;

"Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also."

You see, we're all One Body. Christ's people on Earth. And we can be as much a part of supporting our brothers & sisters in the Kingdom as we want to: either by ignoring their stories and problems ...or by joining with them in prayer for strength, faith, and courage in the face of persecution.

Will you pray with us on Sunday? Will you encourage others to pray? Will you "Remember those in chains, those who are mistreated?"

God bless,

Mike - for IDOP NZ

IDOP NZ | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IRAN: Christians Refuse to Deny Their Faith - Open Doors New Zealand

2009-10-30T16:51:00.001+13:00

Please have a read of the article (lined below) and pray for these two women in prison for their faith in Iran.

IRAN: Christians Refuse to Deny Their Faith - Open Doors New Zealand

Iranian Christians Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad, have now been in prison in Tehran for over six months because of their faith in Jesus and their health is deteriorating. This is the most urgent matter for prayer - that the Lord heals them directly and miraculously for the glory of His name and their encouragement. Due to overcrowding in the prison and the limited facilities, they have not received adequate treatment.

IDOP'09 Prayer Point #5: Iraq

2009-10-29T12:53:00.001+13:00

Internally displaced Christians are forced from their homes, and refugee camps are full of fear and uncertainty, but the people still go on. Pray for strength and comfort for Iraqi believers.
The need is great, but the workers are few. Pray that God would send more people into the region who are equipped to bring healing and who would minister to the pain of a Church that is brokenhearted.
View Larger Map

The Persecuted Church Taught Me to Pray

2009-10-28T09:49:00.005+13:00

How to pray for persecuted Christians: Al Janssen of Open Doors writes for the Lausanne Blog on prayer - "The Persecuted Church Taught Me to Pray"

About six years ago I was asked by a friend to intercede for twenty-two men in an Islamic country. These men were among the first Christian converts in an area dominated by Muslim extremists. With a growing number of followers of Jesus in this region, these brothers had been chosen for seminary-level training in preparation for ordination. Since they could not attend a conventional school, they met in secret for one week each month, changing locations frequently to avoid detection.
Within six months of receiving that assignment, two of these men had died a martyr’s death. The loss of these two brothers and the high stakes for those who remained forced me to plead with God like the disciples of Jesus: “Lord, teach me to pray!” In answer to that prayer, God has taught me five lessons that enable me to pray meaningfully for my Muslim background brothers and many others in the persecuted Church.

Click below for more:

Lausanne World Pulse - Perspectives Articles - The Persecuted Church Taught Me to Pray

IDOP NZ Prayer Meetings

2009-10-27T12:14:00.002+13:00

We now have seven prayer events scheduled for 8-Nov! From Auckland waaaay down to the deep south in Invercargill.

Check out the IDOP NZ events page at http://www.idop.org.nz/index.php/prayer-events,

...or if you use Facebook you can see them at our IDOP NZ page here.

Keep your ear out for radio interviews (and giveaways!) over the next two weeks as we lead up to IDOP '09.

IDOP NZ '09 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

IDOP'09 Prayer Points #4: South Asia

2009-10-23T13:23:00.002+13:00

Pray for South Asia

Pray that the Church would boldly and with great wisdom spread the gospel.
Praise God for the wonderful openness to the gospel amongst the 300 million Dalits (or, "untouchables") in India! Pray that God would give new believers strength and boldness in the face of persecution, and that none would return to their old beliefs.
Pray for Christians who are rejected by their families; that they would be comforted.

IDOP NZ '08 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook group

Persecution World Watch List

2009-10-21T12:02:00.001+13:00

The World Watch List is prepared by Open Doors and it highlights the 50 worst persecuted countries in the world.

Open Doors uses a complex questionnaire covering the legal and official status of Christians and the actual experience of individuals.

Click the link below to visit Open Doors' NZ website (www.opendoors.org.nz) to find out more.

Open Doors New Zealand

You can also visit http://www.opendoorsusa.org/content/view/432/ for their US' site's info on the World Watch list.

The Importance of the Pastor in Promoting the Persecuted Church

2009-10-20T10:22:00.003+13:00

Is your pastor aware of the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church? Would you like to let him know about it!?

Glenn Penner, CEO of Voice of the Martyrs in Canada explains the importance of the pastor in promoting the persecuted church....

Persecuted Church Weblog: The Importance of the Pastor in Promoting the Persecuted Church:

Please also remember to pray for Glenn. As you can see from the vid, he is having to work from home right now due to illness.

Persecuted Church Weblog: Continue to pray for Christians kidnapped in Yemen in July

2009-10-19T14:53:00.001+13:00

This is one that I didn't know anything about. Imagine being kidnapped and held in a foreign country because of your faith-motivated medical-mission work? It's happening in Yemen...

Persecuted Church Weblog: Continue to pray for Christians kidnapped in Yemen in July: "Four months after their abduction, there continues to be no reliable news on the condition of the remaining six expatriate Christians kidnapped in mid-June by unknown assailants in Yemen. On June 12, nine foreigners were abducted — four German adults, three small German children, a British man and a South Korean woman — after they ventured outside the city of Sa’ada."
View Larger Map

Isn't this what they did to your Jesus?

2009-10-16T15:24:00.001+13:00

A testimony from Afghanistan on qideas.com:

The taste of blood was fresh in his mouth. His tongue probed his teeth like a dental hygienist checking for cavities.

Are all my teeth intact?

Erhmad looked around the room trying to orient himself.

Where am I?

The flickering florescent above him gave the room a cold, sterile feel. The grayish-blue was a stark contrast to the muddy-brown winter outside.

Why am I in the hospital?

Images of his taunting attackers rushed into his head. A brass knuckle to the jaw. The hate-filled gaze.

Isn't this what they did to your Jesus?

Brass Knuckles, Grace and the Global Church : Gideon
View Larger MapTsang

Imprisoned Somali Christian on Hunger Strike`

2009-10-16T14:11:00.002+13:00

From Open Doors and Compass Direct News:

Imprisoned Somali Christian on Hunger Strike`

Friday 16 October 2009


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IDOP'09 Prayer Points #3: Laos

2009-10-15T14:55:00.003+13:00

This week we're highlighting praying for Laos.

View Larger Map

Pray the Holy Spirit will convict Laotian government officials so their hearts will be softened toward Christians.
Pray for the Khmu Christians, who are well-acquainted with suffering: may the Lord enable them to continue to stand firm in their resolve to follow Christ, regardless of the cost.

We welcome your comments, thoughts, and prayers written in the comments section here on the blog or on our Facebook page.

Have you been to Laos or another part of SE Asia on a short-term mission? If so why not share some of your photos with us? Post a comment and link to your shots online, or follow our Facebook page and share your photos there :-)

IDOP NZ '09 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Egypt: Christian Father Arrested for Rescuing Daughter from Muslim Husband

2009-10-14T15:47:00.001+13:00

From ChristianPost.com
A Coptic Christian man was reportedly arrested, abused and forced to pay a large sum of money for rescuing his 20-year-old daughter from her Muslim husband, who was said to be holding her against her will in Alexandria, Egypt.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20091013/christian-father-arrested-for-rescuing-daughter-from-husband-in-egypt/index.html

Christian Persecution Blog: COLOMBIA—Pastor Martyred

2009-10-13T15:21:00.002+13:00

Christian Persecution Blog: COLOMBIA—Pastor Martyred.

About his wife: “She ran and got her Bible and, shaking with tears, preached to all those who got near"

About his 10-year old son:“[the] 10-year-old son said ‘mum, don’t worry, dad died for Christ and now he is with Christ.’”

Pray with us:

Lord, You know these people, You know this family. Lord be with them and strengthen them in this terrible time. Lord, may this pastor's life laid down in Your service mean that many more leaders are raised up to preach Your word and serve You in Colombia. We pray these things in Your name Jesus.

Christian Persecution Blog: November 8: Churches Reminded to Pray for the Persecuted

2009-10-13T10:14:00.001+13:00

From VOM USA

Christian Persecution Blog: November 8: Churches Reminded to Pray for the Persecuted: “This is an important day in the church calendar,” says Nettleton. “But we don’t want it to be something a church crosses off their list and doesn’t think about for 12 more months. Our hope is that this one day of prayer leads to 364 more days of prayer and action on behalf of our persecuted brothers and sisters.”

Read the whole article at http://www.persecutionblog.com/2009/10/november-8-churches-reminded-to-pray-for-the-persecuted.html

IDOP NZ '08 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook group

IDOP'09 Prayer Points #2: PRAY FOR VIETNAM

2009-10-07T10:10:00.004+13:00

Second prayer focus for IDOP this year is Vietnam

· Pray for resources such as Bibles and pastoral training to be made available for Christians so that they can continue to be faithful witnesses for Christ.

· Pray for the ethnic minorities in the mountainous regions:

* that God would continue to grow his Church amongst them

* and that the gospel would overcome the ethnic boundaries into the surrounding peoples.

You can download all the powerpoint slides from http://www.idop.org.nz/index.php/downloads (login required)

IDOP NZ '09 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

2009 IDOP Video

2009-10-06T09:18:00.001+13:00

Here's the 2009 promo video. Please share this, and point your friends to it. Downloads available at http://www.idop.org.nz/#

IDOP NZ '08 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook group

2009 video

2009-10-05T12:25:00.001+13:00

This year's video is now available for download at http://www.idop.org.nz/index.php/downloads

It's a powerful 2-minute prayer-stirrer, and we hope that lots of churches and fellowships will download it for playing to their congregations on IDOP Sunday. Would you consider doing this? How about asking your pastor, or youth pastor to check out the website and the video?

As soon as tangle.com gets sorted I'll post the vid here on the blog so you can preview it first too :-)

"Remember those in bonds"

IDOP'09 - The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church - 8th November

www.idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

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Thinking about and praying for Samoa

2009-09-30T23:32:00.000+13:00

While nowhere near a persecution 'hotspot' -Samoa is close to us in NZ in many ways, not just geographically.

Praying for Samoa today.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10600488

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Pastor in India seriously wounded

2009-09-30T08:47:00.002+13:00

Monday, September 28, 2009
Pastor in India Seriously Wounded by Suspected Hindu Extremists
Assailants leave church leader in Andhra Pradesh bleeding, unconscious on
village road
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
_NEW DELHI, INDIA_
According to Compass Direct News, suspected Hindu
extremists struck an Indian pastor with what appeared to be sharp-edged metal
rods on Sunday, Sept. 20 in Andhra Pradesh state, leaving him unconscious
and profusely bleeding on a village road.
The Compass story said that at least three unidentified men attacked
Pastor Vanamali Parishudham, 35, as he returned from Sunday worship in
Yellareddygudam village, five kilometers (nearly three miles) from his home village
of Narketpalli, in Nalgonda district.
Nirmala Desai, deputy nursing superintendent at the Kamineni Institute of
Medical Sciences in Narketpalli, told Compass that Pastor Parishudham
sustained "a lot of blood loss" from the head injury. "He was brought to the
hospital in time, saving him from excessive blood loss, or else it could have
led to becoming fatal," she said. "The wound was deep."
Villagers who visited Pastor Parishudham in the hospital told him that the
attackers were members of the Hindu extremist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
who oppose his preaching and the new prayer house he recently opened in
Narketpalli, the pastor told Compass.
Police have yet to make any arrests.
"Pastor Parishudham said a similar attack on another pastor took place
three years ago in which Hindu extremists threatened to harm the leader if he
did not stop preaching; the pastor left the village and never returned,"
said the Compass story.
For more information, go to _www.compassdirect.org_
(http://www.compassdirect.org/)
____________________________________

IDOP'09 Prayer Points #1: North Korea

2009-09-23T10:07:00.002+12:00

PRAY FOR NORTH KOREA

Ask the Lord to protect the bold evangelists who take the gospel secretly into North Korea.
Pray for the safety of those who escape North Korea's totalitarian regime, that God will be their hiding place.
Please pray for the North Korean people to be freed from spiritual blindness.
Pray for the effectiveness of gospel broadcasts and Scripture balloon launches to bring the Word of God to the North Korean people.

We'll be posting one prayer slide per week as we lead up to the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on 8th-November.

IDOP NZ '09 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

Urgent Prayer For Secret Believers

2009-09-21T13:27:00.001+12:00

Today we received a disturbing report, see below, of the death of a Somali Secret Believer. Omar Khalafe was executed for carrying 25 Somali Bibles at a roadside check point.
FLASH from COMPASS DIRECT NEWS

Summary:
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept. 18 (Compass Direct News) – The faith journey of a long-time underground Christian in Somalia ended in tragedy this week when Islamic militants controlling a security checkpoint killed him after finding Bibles in his possession. Militants from the Muslim extremist al Shabaab killed 69-year-old Omar Khalafe on Tuesday (Sept. 15) at a check-point they controlled 10 kilometers from Merca, a Christian source told Compass. A port city on the Indian Ocean 70 kilometers (45 miles) from Mogadishu, Merca is the main city of the Lower Shabele region. Leaving Mogadishu by bus at 7:30 a.m., Khalafe was carrying 25 Somali Bibles he hoped to deliver to an underground fellowship in Somalia. By 10:30 a.m. he had arrived at the checkpoint controlled by al Shabaab, a rebel group linked with al Qaeda that has taken over large parts of the war-torn country. A source in Somalia who spoke on condition of anonymity told Compass that the passengers were ordered to disembark from the bus for inspection. The Islamic militants found 25 Somali Bibles in one of the passengers’ bags; when they asked to whom the Bibles belonged, the passengers responded with a chilled silence. The militants found several photos in the bag and saw that the elderly Khalafe resembled a face in one of them, the source said. They asked Khalafe if he was the owner of the Bibles; he kept quiet. They shot him to death.

To see the full story go to http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/somalia/9494/

Please pray for his family and other Secret Believers in Somalia.
Also pray for those who carry out these atrocities: that they receive a revelation from God and repent of their ways.

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Police in Pakistan Shoot Mourners at Funeral of Christian

2009-09-18T12:20:00.001+12:00

Authorities allegedly kill young man in custody on contrived charge of desecrating Quran.

LAHORE, Pakistan, September 17 (CDN) — At a funeral for a Christian man allegedly tortured to death while in custody on a spurious charge of blaspheming the Quran, police in Sialkot, Pakistan yesterday fired on mourners trying to move the coffin to another site.

IDOP NZ '09 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

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Hi to all our new fans and followers....

2009-09-09T10:18:00.000+12:00

Hi to all our new fans! If you're wondering, IDOP in New Zealand is run by Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs, and Gospel for Asia. We love working together on IDOP to get lots of people around NZ praying for persecuted Christians.

Prayer points and video will be available for download soon from the www.idop.org.nz site. Our good friend, Andre Basel is working hard on the new-look site and I'm told it will all be hunky-dory very soon.

In the meantime, if you haven't already, please join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/IDOP-NZ-Prayer-for-the-Persecuted/79516303835

Or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/idopnz

IDOP NZ '09 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook | Twitter

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What is IDOP?

2009-09-08T13:58:00.001+12:00

What is IDOP? -IDOP stands for "The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church"

- It’s INTERNATIONAL– Christians and churches from all over the world will be praying on IDOP Sunday.

- It’s a DAY set aside every year. This year it’s the 8th of Nov.

- It’s about PRAYER. On IDOP Sunday set some time aside during your day to pray for persecuted Christians.

If you haven't already, you can find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/IDOP-NZ-Prayer-for-the-Persecuted/79516303835?v=feed&story_fbid=129112353580

or you can follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/idopnz

In Christ,

the IDOP NZ team

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30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World | Christian Resources for Ramadan

2009-08-25T14:20:00.004+12:00

Yep, like I said, new idop.org.nz site will be up and running in the next few weeks, with downloads of this year's powerpoint for prayer requests, and the 2009 video clip. In the meantime, can I encourage you to please check out the link below and PRAY for the Muslim world during Ramadan this year.

30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World | Christian Resources for Ramadan | http://bit.ly/km8SK http://bit.ly/km8SK

30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World | Christian Resources for Ramadan | www.30-days.net

Source: www.30-days.net

IDOP 2009

2009-01-06T11:28:00.000+13:00

We'll be back updating this blog later in 2009.

Thank you for your interest and prayer for the persecuted!

Be encouraged.

The IDOP NZ team

Millions pray on IDOP Sunday

2008-11-11T16:28:00.001+13:00

Thanks for praying with us on IDOP Sunday!! Please check out the link below to see some of the latest reports from one area we prayed for, Orissa, India.

Millions pray on IDOP Sunday

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/11866

India (MNN) ― Millions of Christians around the world joined together in prayer yesterday for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. More than 100-million Christians each year are forced from their jobs, marginalized, beaten and abused, or even killed, simply because they profess Christ as their Saviour.

IDOP '08 is this coming Sunday!

2008-11-03T14:35:00.001+13:00

Only a few days to go until this year's IDOP event.

There are now 11 prayer events happening around the country
Please look out for articles in Daystar, Challenge, and in this month's Baptist magazine about IDOP
Also, there will be a joint-interview with representatives from Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs, and Gospel for Asia on NZ's Rhema on TUESDAY AT 10AM (if you can, please pray this goes well, and many more people get involved because of it)

We are stoked with the growing interest in IDOP, and the number of new registrations to the site. I am sure that there are many more churches around New Zealand who will be praying for the persecuted Church during their Sunday morning services too.

Grace,

Mike

IDOP NZ '08 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook group

Eritrea

2008-10-24T17:30:00.001+13:00

Eritrea (MNN) ― The latest U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report indicates Eritrea has made little positive progress on religious liberty.

Adelle Konyndyk with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says, "They're trying to crackdown on evangelical Christians as a means of controlling or even ridding Eritrea of Christianity. The government basically is cracking down on anyone who is outside of those registered bodies."

Read more here. You are welcome to write and post a prayer in the comments section below.

http://mnnonline.org/article/11812

Grace,

the IDOP NZ team

IDOP NZ '08 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook group

State of the Persecuted

2008-10-22T15:24:00.001+13:00

Thanks to the International IDOP site and OpenDoorsUSA.org for this...

Over 200 million Christians around the world suffer persecution. Depending on the country, each form of persecution is different. But it is real, and its threat to the Church is serious.

Below are compelling facts about what kind of persecution is taking place today all over the world against our brothers and sisters in Christ. As you educate your friends and church about the reality of Christian persecution, we hope this information will equip you to pray powerfully and effectively.

When we go to the persecuted Church and ask them what they need most, we always hear first, ‘please pray for us.’ This is their ardent request. They find strength in knowing we have not forgotten them, and we are praying for them to hold fast to their faith. So please use the information as you pray.

• The world’s worst persecutor of Christians in the world is North Korea.

• In Saudi Arabia, practicing Christianity can result in death by beheading or stoning.

• Over 90% of China’s Christians worship in hidden, underground house churches to avoid government regulations and restrictions.

• There is only one Christian church left in the Gaza Strip, and its membership has dwindled to less than 100.

• Algeria is about a quarter of the size of Texas, and only 3% of the population are Christians.

• There are 69 languages in Iran, and only three of them have a completed Bible. Iran is also the third worst persecutor of Christians in the world.

• It is believed there are less than 500 Christians living in the Maldives.

• Open preaching in Sudan is punishable by beatings or imprisonment.

• Christians make up less than 1.7% of the population in Pakistan, and over 70% of them are the poorest of the poor.

• It is estimated that there are 1,100 Christian missionaries living in Turkey.

Please pray with us and thousands of others around the world on IDOP, Sunday 9th November

Grace, The IDOP NZ Team

IDOP NZ '08 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook group

Media and Promotion

2008-10-16T17:20:00.001+13:00

Three prayer events now registered for IDOP 08. We are hoping for many more to be registered/advertised before the day itself.

I have spoken to two major Christian publications today, who will BOTH be writing of IDOP in the next few weeks, which is very exciting! We will also be speaking about IDOP on New Zealand's RHEMA, on Tuesday 4th November 10am-11am.

Even though IDOP this year is the day after the general election, we are hoping that churches all over the country will still get involved, and many Christians will hear about IDOP'08.

Please pray for us:

Please pray that churches and people all over NZ will become involved with praying for the persecuted, via IDOP'08.
Please pray that PASTORS will get involved and talk about IDOP to their congregations on November 9th.

Blessings

IDOP NZ '08 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook group

Christians targets in Iraq

2008-10-15T09:28:00.001+13:00

Iraq (MNN) ― News and information is coming in about a huge increase in violence taking place in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. According to an Associated Press report, a Christian music store owner was shot to death in Mosul Monday. Also, in the past week approximately 3,000 Christians have fled the city due to the violence.

Armed Islamic terrorists are walking the streets and asking pedestrians for his or her identification card. The religion of the owner is written on every ID card, either Muslim or Christian. When "Christian" is read by the terrorists, the owner of the card is sometimes murdered on the spot with a bullet through the head.

Jerry Dykstra Open Doors says this is just one of many persecution stories. "According to one of our contacts in Iraq, 25 to 40 Christians have been murdered in Mosul. Other reports have it at five to 12 Christians. Nevertheless, there's a tremendous need for prayer for our brothers and sisters in Mosul."

According to Dykstra, "There used to be 200,000 Christians in Mosul, but now, there's about 90,000 left."

New resources

2008-10-06T14:12:00.001+13:00

Our 2008 resources are now online.

We hope you like the video: although not as 'punchy' as the past two years'
videos, it tells the story of the three Indonesian women who were imprisoned
for sharing about Jesus with local children at a Sunday school they ran
(all the children had their parents' permission to be there, by the way).

We welcome your feedback on the prayer points and videos. Please let your
pastors and church leaders know about these resources and the Day of Prayer
for the Persecuted Church on November 9th.

Grace,
The IDOP NZ team.

Resources

2008-09-25T16:14:00.001+12:00

Our 2008 video, powerpoint, and pdf pages will be online on the idop.org.nz website soon. I'm expecting the finished powerpoint in my inbox at any time, in fact (thanks to Desiree from VOM!).

We are starting to get some interest from NZ Christian media. I need to get on to it and produce some press releases to help this aspect of things out too. In the meantime, please keep an ear out for us on Rhema in the week or two leading up to the 9th-November.

If you aren't already, can I encourage you to visit our Facebook group, and become a member? We'll be posting photos, videos, and comments from the various IDOP prayer meetings around the country there. We'll also be able to message you as IDOP'08 gets closer.

Grace,

The IDOP NZ Team

IDOP NZ '08 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook group

Iran votes in favour of death penalty bill

2008-09-23T13:51:00.005+12:00

http://mnnonline.org/article/11681
Iran (MNN) ― Just last week, September 9th, Iran's parliament voted in overwhelming favour of a bill that mandates the death penalty for apostasy....
Read more here...

Please join us in praying for Iran. Pray that many more people would be saved, despite this law. Pray for effective and wise evangelism in the major cities of Iran. Pray that young believers would be bold in their faith, and be strengthened by the Lord.

IDOP NZ '08 | www.idop.org.nz | info@idop.org.nz | Facebook group

IDOP '08 - Video

2008-09-18T10:58:00.001+12:00

Available for download from www.idop.org.nz from 1-October.

IDOP'08 resources; workin' on it...

2008-09-08T14:33:00.005+12:00

Hi there. We are well on the way to posting our new 2008 resources. The video has been edited with the new logo, and we aim to have that available for download from 1-October AT THE LATEST. I will provide a preview via-YouTube from NEXT WEEK. Check back here for the link.

Powerpoint and PDF files with this year's prayer points will be online at the same time.

Please continue to pray for the situation in Orissa, India. There is a fascinating new update posted here, which gives details on the tremendous growth of the Church in that part of India.

Thank you for 'remembering the persecuted' with us.

Blessings,
The IDOP NZ Team.

New Attacks on Christians Spark Riots in Battered Orissa, India

2008-09-02T14:03:00.001+12:00

Two new deaths were reported this weekend as violence against Christians in India's Orissa state refuses to die down despite police intervention.

The violence, now entering its second week, began when anti-Christian extremist Swami Laxamanananda Saraswati was murdered by suspected Maoist rebels Aug. 23. His followers in the anti-Christian World Hindu Council (VHP) blamed Christians for his murder and went on a rampage across several districts of Orissa. During the first week of violence, at least a dozen members of GFA-related churches were murdered and 20 churches and hundreds of home belonging to GFA missionaries and pastors were burned.

Welcome to the IDOP New Zealand weblog....

2008-08-22T14:30:00.001+12:00

Welcome to our IDOP New Zealand weblog. We will be updating this at least weekly, in the lead-up to this year's IDOP event.

We would like to hear from you, in the form of comments on this page, or via our FACEBOOK group at http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=28924453746

Remember the persecuted. Remember to pray on 9-November 2008.

Grace,
the IDOP NZ team
www.idop.org.nz

IDOP '08

2007-12-21T14:37:00.001+13:00

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is on November the 9th, 2008.

This blog will become much more active as we approach IDOP'08. Please keep checking back to see what we're up to!

Blessings,
the IDOP NZ team

Prayer for the Persecuted

Today is the day to pray!

Mission Network News - Three Christians die in Eritrean military camps

IDOP 2011 MEDIA RELEASE

IDOP Downloads now open!

Ps. Brian Anderson's speaks of a friend of his in Ethiopia...

Court verdict on Iranian pastor issued soon

Petition To Free Asia Bibi

Helen Berhane

Missionary Attacked with Swords, Left for Dead - Gospel for Asia

International Day of Prayer - New Zealand

Pastor Takes a Beating, Remains Joyful - Gospel for Asia media release

IDOP 2011

Pray for Asia Bibi

IDOP 2010: Richard Wurmbrand on prayer

Promote IDOP on your Twitter or Facebook profiles

how was your IDOP prayer meeting?

Let's encourage one another - we'd love to hear from you:Did you pray for the persecuted on Sunday? If so, how was your IDOP prayer meeting?

Time to pray - IDOP is today (NZ)

You post. We'll pray together. Today is IDOP Sunday. Post your prayer here as a comment, or over on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/idopnz) and let's remember our suffering brothers and sisters together today.

Persecution in India

IDOP Prayer Meetings this Sunday

IDOP 2010 prayer point #6 - Afghanistan

If that were Christ, would you give Him your blanket?

IDOP 2010 prayer point #5 - Uzbekistan

Persecuted but not forsaken - IDOP NZ 2010 Video

IDOP 2010 Prayer Point #4 - Eritrea

Prayers For Somali Family

IDOP 2010 Prayer Point #3 - Egypt

Free To Believe Campaign

Video: North Korea

IDOP 2010 Prayer Point #2 - Nigeria

IDOP NZ website -ready

idop.org.nz site maintenance over the next few days

How Many Die for Jesus?

Site moving....

IDOP 2010 video and powerpoint resources

IDOP 2010 prayer point #1 - Colombia

IDOP NZ 2010: we're getting started...

From our Twitter feed...

More on the Two Iranian Christians released

IDOP 2009 - some reports and comments

IDOP NZ Live Prayer and Comments Shared Here [refresh your browser to update]

Prayer for the Persecuted: Why?

Death Waiting at Church -India

A technical note

IDOP'09 Prayer Point #6: Eritrea

From Voice of the Martyrs Canada :: Persecution and Prayer Alert :: Providing Information and Support for Persecuted Christians

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada :: North Korea

Rhema Home Run Show Interviews

IDOP'09 - Six days to go

IRAN: Christians Refuse to Deny Their Faith - Open Doors New Zealand

IDOP'09 Prayer Point #5: Iraq

The Persecuted Church Taught Me to Pray

IDOP NZ Prayer Meetings

IDOP'09 Prayer Points #4: South Asia

Persecution World Watch List

The Importance of the Pastor in Promoting the Persecuted Church

Persecuted Church Weblog: Continue to pray for Christians kidnapped in Yemen in July

Isn't this what they did to your Jesus?

Imprisoned Somali Christian on Hunger Strike`

IDOP'09 Prayer Points #3: Laos

Egypt: Christian Father Arrested for Rescuing Daughter from Muslim Husband

Christian Persecution Blog: COLOMBIA—Pastor Martyred

Christian Persecution Blog: November 8: Churches Reminded to Pray for the Persecuted

IDOP'09 Prayer Points #2: PRAY FOR VIETNAM

2009 IDOP Video

2009 video

Thinking about and praying for Samoa

Pastor in India seriously wounded

IDOP'09 Prayer Points #1: North Korea

Urgent Prayer For Secret Believers

Police in Pakistan Shoot Mourners at Funeral of Christian

Hi to all our new fans and followers....

What is IDOP?

30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World | Christian Resources for Ramadan

Yep, like I said, new idop.org.nz site will be up and running in the next few weeks, with downloads of this year's powerpoint for prayer requests, and the 2009 video clip. In the meantime, can I encourage you to please check out the link below and PRAY for the Muslim world during Ramadan this year.

30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World | Christian Resources for Ramadan | http://bit.ly/km8SK http://bit.ly/km8SK

Blessings,

IDOP NZ team

Let's encourage one another - we'd love to hear from you:
Did you pray for the persecuted on Sunday? If so, how was your IDOP prayer meeting?