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News and Prayer for the Persecuted
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Three Assyrian Christian Hostages Executed by ISIS in Syria
ICC has learned that a new video released by the Islamic jihadist group ISIS (also known as the Islamic State or ISIL) shows the execution of three Assyrian Christian men, believed to be among the more than 250 Christians held by the jihadist group since February 2015. The men executed in the video have been identified as Dr. Abdel-Maseeh Aniyah of Tal Jazirah (Al-Hasakah), Ashur Rustam Abraham of Tal Jazirah, and Bassam Issa Michael from Tal Shamiram (Al-Jazirah), Leith Fadel, Editor-in-Chief of Al Mas Dar News reported.
- Pray that God's peace and comfort would cover the families of the three martyrs
- Pray for the swift and safe release of the 250 Christians held by ISIS
- Pray that the Spirit of Jesus Christ will move in the hearts of the men of ISIS and they will repent for their ways and turn to Christ who saves
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At least 7 Christians Injured in Attack on Christians in Upper Egypt
ICC has learned that at least seven individuals and two homes were attacked in the latest round of violence against Christians in Upper Egypt. What, in a normal setting, would have been a conflict between school children, escalated to an attack by a large crowd of Muslims on Christians. According to ICC's sources, Ahmed Maher Mekhimer, a Muslim student in grade 8 used to bully a Christian student called Amgad Emad Zikry. Then last week, Amgad's cousin, Youssef Talaat Ayad, stood up for his cousin and this was what sparked a wave of violence that swept Kom El Raheb village in Samalout, Minya.
- Pray for the recovery of all the family members of Youssef and Amgad who were injured during this attack
- Pray against another wave of attacks on the Christian families during this sensitive time
- Pray that Egypt will begin to take necessary steps to ensure that all Egyptians, including Christians, will have their basic rights protected
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Oklahoma Ten Commandments Monument Comes Down by Night
As previously reported, the Oklahoma Supreme Court decided during the summer that a monument depicting the Ten Commandments must be removed from its location on state capitol grounds. It was argued that the monument violated the Oklahoma Constitution which states that government property may not be used to endorse a "church denomination or system of religion." In order to avoid protests, a crew of workers began the removal process of the monument after 10:00 at night on Monday.
- Praise God that despite the removal of the monument of the Ten Commandments, The light of God's Word continues to shine and those who seek Truth will find Jesus Christ
- Pray that leaders in our government will realize that the Ten Commandments are the cornerstone of our legal heritage and that they can be displayed constitutionally as they are in the U.S. Supreme Court building
- Pray that God will place Christians leaders in the government who will take a stand for God and for His Word
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Asia Bibi Living in "Hell Hole" as She Awaits Supreme Court Hearing in Pakistan
10/6/2015 Pakistan (Mission News Network)
Christian woman, Asia Bibi, continues to sit on death row awaiting an appeal to the Supreme Court to decide whether or not she should be hung for allegedly committing blasphemy in Pakistan. It has been 6 years since Bibi was accused by Muslim co-workers of committing blasphemy after an altercation stated when the Muslims took exception to Bibi drinking from the same water bowl. According to a network of churches in Pakistan, the conditions Bibi has lived in since being convicted of blasphemy in 2010 have been terrible. The network went as far to say that Bibi was living in a "hell hole".
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Saeed Abedini's Wife: Iranian Leader's Call For Prisoner Exchange 'Absurd, Insulting'
While Saeed Abedini, an American citizen, lay in a prison cell in Iran, recovering from his latest round of interrogation and abuse, the Iranian president was in New York City and called for a prisoner exchange. Saeed's "crime" being a Christian and meeting with others who shared his beliefs. He was not engaged in espionage or a violation of international or local laws. Yet, Iran's President is pushing for him to be treated as collateral.
- Pray that the U.N. will directly engage and urge Iran to release these wrongfully imprisoned U.S. citizens and allow them to return home - especially Pastor Saeed
- Pray that key world leaders and U.N. delegations will increase pressure on Iran, to release wrongfully imprisoned U.S. citizens including Pastor Saeed
- Pray that Saeed and his family will feel the love, presence, and peace of Him who is able
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Fleeing Iraqi Christians Find New Life In France
More than 150,000 Iraqi Christians have been driven from their homes in the past year and a half. Violence by ISIS extremists made it impossible to remain in the cities and villages where they have lived for more than 1,500 years. Many are still in the region, trying to find a way to stay. Some, like these families, have made it to France where they have been welcomed and are now starting to rebuild their lives.
- Pray that the displaced Iraqi Christians who are finding housing in schools, churches or abandoned buildings will be able to find adequate shelter and water
- Pray that displaced and conflict-affected families will have life-sustaining food
- Pray that God will bless persecuted Christians in Iraq with His peace and that He will comfort them in their affliction and lead them to safety
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