The Voice of the Martyrs' 2014 Global Prayer Map

Date of Bulletin: 1 January 2014




The Voice of the Martyrs' 2014 Prayer Map identifies three categories of nations where Christian  persecution merits our attention and assistance: Restricted, Hostile and Monitored.

Restricted -

Countries where government policy or practice prevents Christians from obtaining Bibles and other Christian literature, and that also leads to Christians being harassed, imprisoned, killed or deprived of possessions or liberties.

Hostile -
Large areas in nations where governments consistently attempt to provide protection for the Christian population, but Christians are victims of violence because of their witness.

Monitored -
Areas being closely monitored by VOM because of a trend toward increased persecution of Christians.

Watch for your free copy of the 2014 Prayer Map in the January VOM newsletter. Visit our online  Restricted Nations Map for more information.

Please Pray!

• Please remember to keep our persecuted family in prayer.
• Pray also for the salvation of those in leadership positions in these countries.

Click here for additional prayer needs of persecuted Christians, or go to  www.icommittopray.com.

"Remember the prisoners as if chained with them-those who are mistreated-since you yourselves are in the body also." Hebrews 13:3

You can order additional copies of the 2014 Prayer Map or sign up for VOM's free monthly newsletter by calling (800) 747-0085. You may also sign up for the newsletter at www.persecution.com.

New Prisoner Alert Factsheet: VRUIR AVANESSIAN - Iran

 

P r i s o n e r    P r o f i l e

 Vruir Avanessian

Prisoner Name: Vruir Avanessian

Location: Iran

Date Arrested: December 2013

Date Revised: 19 December 2013

Pastor Vruir Avanessian, 61, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison on Dec. 5, 2013 for anti-government activities and the promotion of ideas contrary to the sanctity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Pastor Avanessian was arrested Dec. 27, 2012 as he gathered at a private home with other Christians to celebrate Christmas. The pastor is an ordained minister in the officially-registered Assemblies of God Church in Iran and of Armenian heritage, Iran's largest Christian religious minority. He has served as a pastor for more than 17 years.

One of the most concerning aspects of Pastor Avanessian's case is his serious medical condition. The pastor suffers from heart disease and diabetes. He undergoes kidney dialysis three times a week at a private clinic in Tehran, and has been retired from active ministry due to his medical condition. He was unable to attend his own court hearing because he was receiving dialysis at the time. The court was fully aware of the pastor's health, and issued the three-and-a half year sentence anyway. Friends and family are extremely concerned about Pastor Avanessian's ability to withstand the rigors of prison.

Pastor Avanessian's initial court hearing was held on Sept. 7, 2013. The hearing was held behind closed doors and was closed to the public. After that hearing, the judge stated that until a verdict was announced, Pastor Avanessian was to remain at home and avoid all contact with other Christians. After the verdict was handed down, he was given 20 days to file a complaint.

According to Mohabat News and other sources, the Iranian government has been on a campaign of arresting Armenian-Iranian Christian leaders who are actively involved in the evangelisation of Farsi-speaking Iranians. In recent months several of these leaders have been summoned or  arrested by security forces and warned to completely stop their ministry activities or leave the country within 90 days. The central branch of the Assemblies of God Church in Tehran, the largest Farsi-speaking church in Iran, was ordered to be closed in May 2013, and its leader arrested.

What You Can Do?

• Pray for Pastor Vruir Avanessian. 

• Post this PrisonerAlert.com Prisoner Profile on the bulletin board in your church, Sunday School class or Christian school.

• Share a copy with your pastor, members of your Bible study group or other Christian friends.

• Write to Paster Vruir Avanessian.

Address for Vruir Avanessian:

Evin Prison
Saadat Abad
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran

Please Note!

When writing a letter, never mention the name of the source of your information or the name of any organization such as Voice of the Martyrs or Prisoner Alert. It is not dangerous for a prisoner to receive letters from individuals, but if an organization is mentioned they may be accused of links with 'foreign organizations' and receive harsher sentences. Also, please do not state anything negative about their government. For the latest information, including letter writing tools and helps, please visit PrisonerAlert.com.

Visit www.prisoneralert.com for updates on this prisoner.

Vruir Avanessian is also a talented singer! Below is a video of one of his songs:

Vruir Avanessian-Shahre Nasereh وروير آوانسيان شهر ناصره 

NIGERIA: Christian Killed by Boko Haram Militants

Bulletin Date: 5 November 2013

On Sept. 24, Boko Haram militants surrounded the home of 60-year-old Sunday Luka in Gwoza (Borno State) and set his house on fire. Luka died of smoke inhalation inside the burning house.

About three months earlier, Luka and his 14-year-old son fled their home in Gwoza after receiving death threats from Boko Haram. A pastor in Adamawa state provided refuge for Luka, his son and another refugee from Gwoza while Luka looked for a safer place to relocate his family.

On Sept. 23, Luka returned to Gwoza to share food and funds that he had received from Voice Of the Martyrs with his family. The following morning, members of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram burned down the house with Luka inside.

VOM Sources

Please Pray!

Please pray for Sunday Luka's family in their time of grief and loss. Pray that Boko Haram will be uprooted from Nigeria and that a spirit of peace will reign in their place.

"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." Romans 16:20

VOM assists hundreds of pastors in Nigeria and also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian Christians who are attacked.

PHILIPPINES: Muslims Attack Villages, Force Christians off Land

Chrisitan Refugees

On the morning of June 1, hundreds of
Muslim rebels attacked three Christian
villages, launching mortars and shooting
randomly. Village officials also reported
seeing the rebels steal cattle.

About 160 Christians fled the area, leaving
their belongings behind. The families
sought temporary refuge in a neighboring
village, and VOM is assisting them with
supplies such as mosquito nets, blankets,
sleeping mats and medicine. Fortunately,
no casualties were reported.

Although soldiers have been posted in the villages, the believers cannot return because they fear that the rebels will kill them and burn their homes. The Muslim rebels, who want to force the Christians off their land, are thought to have timed the attacks to coincide with the rubber tree yield and banana harvest.

VOM Sources
Photo: Christian refugees

Please Pray!

Thank God for delivering these believers from harm! Pray that he will strengthen and establish them and supply all of their needs. Pray that they will soon be able to return safely to their land and homes and that God will protect them from harm.

Pray that the light of the gospel will shine on the rebels and bring about a godly transformation in their lives.

"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Cor. 4:8-9

VOM assists Christians in the Philippines through its Families of Martyrs fund and VOMedical, as well as other means of assistance.

(This prayer alert is from Voice of the Martyrs.)