Gospel For Asia Prayer Newsletter March 8, 2013
Dear Saints,
This past week, believers struggled to meet together peacefully as they faced death threats, violence and orders to shut down their church construction sites. But amid these trials, one fellowship had a breakthrough: Their persecutors apologized!
Please join me in praying for our fellowships and asking the Lord to provide more breakthroughs. By His grace, we will see many changed hearts.
Drunken Villagers Disrupt Fellowship
March 8, 2013 – Gospel for Asia
Pastor Naag and two believing families regularly gather in a house for fellowship, but some in the village are opposing them. During services, drunkards will throw stones at the house where the believers meet, hoping they will stop.
Please pray for:
Pastor Naag and the believers to stand firm in their faith.
The villagers to have a change of heart and see the truth of God’s love.
Pastor Forced to Halt Church Construction, Sell Land
March 8, 2013 – Gospel for Asia
When Pastor Ekachandra began construction on a church building last month, political radicals insisted that he stop the work and write a statement that there would be no further construction in the place. Pastor Ekachandra temporarily halted the work while waiting for another meeting with the political groups and village leaders.
On February 24, after discussing the situation, the leaders continued their refusal to allow the church building and forced Pastor Ekachandra to sell his land, saying they will give him another piece of land. Pastor Ekachandra’s district leader is currently contacting higher government authorities to resolve the issue.
Please pray for:
Changed hearts in the village leaders and political radicals.
A peaceable relationship between Pastor Ekachandra and the locals.
Continued construction on the church building.
Radicals Apologize for Beating Believers
March 8, 2013 – Gospel for Asia
On February 23, Pastor Takshak’s prayer meeting was interrupted by nearly 150 local people storming the house where the meeting was held. Led by a religious extremist group, the people entered the house and began beating the believers and accusing the pastor of forcible conversions.
“You should not conduct any religious programs here,” the group leader said. “Otherwise, you better know the consequence. We will kill you.”
When two other pastors filed a complaint with the police, however, the authorities stood up for the church. Accepting the charges against them, the fanatics asked forgiveness in front of the other villagers, promising not to threaten the believers anymore.
Meanwhile, the police are giving special protection to the believers to assure their safety, and are encouraging the fellowship to continue meeting.
Please pray for:
Continued safety for the believers.
God to open the eyes of the fanatics to the truth of Christ.
Temporary Church Building Set on Fire
March 8, 2013 – Gospel for Asia
While waiting to construct a church building, the believers in Pastor Baahir’s fellowship pooled their resources to build a temporary meeting place. But on February 28, someone lit the building on fire. A villager immediately notified the believers, who put out the fire, but the church was already damaged.
Now the believers are working with village leaders to investigate the incident, but they are discouraged as they look for a way to rebuild.
Please pray for:
Safety and steadfastness for the believers.
Softened hearts in the opposition.
Wisdom and clarity for the village leaders as they deal with the situation.
Resources to rebuild.
Pastor Faces Death Threats at Construction Site
March 8, 2013 – Gospel for Asia
With nearly 150 people attending his fellowship, Pastor Haarith recently began construction on a church building. Since then, religious extremists have begun regularly coming to the construction site and threatening him.
“You stop the work,” they told him. “Otherwise, we will kill you.”
Please pray for:
Peace in Pastor Haarith’s heart as he faces these frightening threats.
Those who oppose the church to embrace the love of Christ.
Construction to be completed quickly and without further disruption.
Yours for the lost.
K.P. Yohannan
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