ARE PERSECUTED SISTERS

by

Brenda Mayfield

“Lord God, thank You for the freedom many of us take for granted. Remind us to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. You’ve blessed us so that we would bless others. Help us hear the cries of the persecuted and reach out to them in Your name. Amen.”

In Islamic and Communist countries many Christian women suffer greatly, as reported in The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletters...

Gulnez, a beautiful young Christian woman, refused the sexual advances of a Muslim man. He later returned to her workplace and threw acid on her face, arms, and chest, which severely burned her flesh and blinded one eye.

At age 16, Tara—punched, kicked, and beaten by her own father for converting to Christianity—was left unconscious in a pool of blood. She later escaped and now hides to avoid death, as her own family searches to eliminate the “apostate” girl.

Desriyanti, a young Indonesian girl, ran toward the church’s back door to avoid the bullets but was shot by radical Muslims. She was in a coma and received treatment from VOMedical. She recovered yet is now blind in one eye and scarred on the side of her face. In Indonesia, over 700 churches have been destroyed.

Safeena, another young believer, endures shame and inner pain because her Muslim employer raped her. Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) provides sewing classes in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other Islamic nations to help Christian women support themselves. Though VOM, we can send action packs to Christians in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan.

Leah—blind and only nine-years-old—suffered horrific abuse by Islamic militia in Sudan. She was gang raped… and became pregnant. She and her daughter (now age eight) both serve Jesus. We can send life packs and blankets to those suffering in Sudan.

In Communist countries, many Christian women meet secretly for prayer and Bible study in small, dark crawl spaces. In China, some women have taken great risks to evangelize. Li Ying is serving a 15-year prison sentence for publishing a Christian magazine. We can "remember the prisoners as if chained with them" (Hebrews 13:3, KJV) by praying and writing letters.

Sabrina, the wife of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand—Founder of VOM, lost most of her Jewish family in Nazi death camps. She endured slavery at a labor camp in Romania and struggled to survive without her husband as he suffered 14 years of inhumane torture and imprisonment. Richard and Sabrina are now in Heaven enjoying endless freedom.

“Father, we pray for our persecuted sisters and brothers who are without freedom. Please release those who suffer in prison. Comfort those who are mistreated. Minister to the Christian women who are oppressed, in slavery, and physically violated. Bless their persecutors by leading them to the Savior and granting them repentance. We open our praying hands to assist the persecuted, as led by You. In Jesus Name, amen.”