July 4, 2008:
Police arrested 12 Muslim-background beliebers from three different families in southern Iran. They were questioned, and some were imprisoned for several days.
Pray for freedom to worship the God revealed in Jesus Christ. "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
July 5, 2008:
An Algerian Muslim-background believer was removed from a bus and arrested when police found Bibles in her handbag. She has been brought to court for practicing her faith "without a license." The prosecutor told her he would drop the case if she returned to Islam. Otherwise, "if you persist in sin you will undergo the lightning of justice." She is currently free on bail, but police recently stopped and interrogated her in the street.
Ask the Lord to set His watch care all around her. "Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!"
July 6, 2008:
A brother in Turkey reports that his church can no longer get permission for public outreaches. Nevertheless, they recently distributed 2000 New Testaments -- in just one week!
Pray that this seed, faithfully sown, will bear an abundant harvest in the day of Christ Jesus. "Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."
July 7, 2008:
Conflict with a Muslim led a Pakistani Christian doctor to be falsely accused of blasphemy. A mob of Muslims with sticks, stones, and kerosene gathered at his home. He was rescued by police, who took him to the police station with the angry crowd following. He is now in jail; his wife and children are in hiding. Pray that justice will be done, and ask the Lord to watch over this family to keep them safe. "Blessed are all who take refuge in him."
July 8, 2008:
Police raided a Bible class in Turkmenistan. They wanted to know who was attending, and warned the pastor that the church cannot teach even its own members without permission -- even though its officially recognized charter allows this. This church has no building of its own, and has already had to move services ten times this year. Pray that trials will be used for the good of those who believe, to the glory of God. "Have you not heard that I determined it long ago? I planned from days of old what now I bring to pass."
July 9, 2008:
A young Somali Christian explained his faith to relatives. They reacted with anger and called him an apostate. Three days later he was shot and killed. Pray that his faithful witness will bear fruit even in death, and that the Savior will draw the hearts of this family to Himself. "For my own sake and for the sake of my servant David."
July 10, 2008:
An Iraqi widow wrote a friend about the martyrdom of her husband: "I have bad news. Muhammad is dead. Our family killed him for sharing his new faith in Jesus Christ.... I'll never forget why he died. He died for Jesus. Tell the people to pray for me." Please uphold this woman and her son in persistent prayer. "For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."
July 11, 2008:
Chad's Christians are suffering after radical Islamic rebels struck the government. Continued fighting has left many in Chad without food or shelter. Pray that God will provide for His people, and that they will be able to share the love of Christ in the midst of this terrible situation. "And this shall be the sign for you: this year you shall eat what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs from that. Then in the third year sow and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit."
July 12, 2008:
Two evangelists in Bangladesh, both converts from Islam, were asked for more information by four young Muslims. But when they tried to answer their questions, the young men demanded they revert to Islam, and began beating them when they refused. Finally the Christians were allowed to go -- with a warning that if they did not accept Islam, they would be killed. The director of their ministry sent them out of the country for their own safety. Pray that they will be delivered from fear and danger through the power of the Spirit. "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night."
July 13, 2008:
Muslim rebels have forced thousands of Christian families off their farms in the southern Philippines. They claim the land belongs to Muslims. Many other Christians fear similar attacks. Pray for justice and peace. "And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in."