Sudan- Heavy on my heart tonight

Below is a prayer request,

one that I get weekly from The Voice of the Martyrs

at Persecution.com

Each Friday they send an email asking prayer over three situations.

They are sobering.

And there are followers of Christ around the world

in desperate need of prayer.

Just wanted to share this one tonight.

South Sudan--Christians Remain at Risk
VOM Canada, Middle East Concern2 Timothy 1:7-12

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity,

but of power and love and discipline.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord

or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel

according to the power of God,

who has saved us and called us with a holy calling,

not according to our works,

but according to His own purpose and grace

which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

but now has been revealed by the appearing

of our Savior Christ Jesus,

who abolished death and brought life

and immortality to light through the gospel,

for which I was appointed a preacher

and an apostle and a teacher.

For this reason I also suffer these things,

but I am not ashamed;

for I know whom I have believed

and I am convinced that He is able to guard

what I have entrusted to Him until that day."

South Sudan officially gained independence from Sudan on July 9, becoming a new nation. The secession follows a long history of violent conflict, including two civil wars between the largely Islamic north and the Christian and animist majority in the south. Christians, in particular, have endured severe oppression. Although many have expressed hope for a more peaceful future, it is clear that Christians on both sides of the new border remain at risk.

Violence erupted in several areas in the months leading to South Sudan's independence. Government agents and Islamic militants looted churches and killed Christians in parts of South Kordofan state. Many are concerned that churches in Sudan may face further restrictions on freedom of worship if the government implements a strict form of Islamic law. As Christians continue to flee to South Sudan, it is also feared that believers who remain in the north may be especially vulnerable to violence, pressure and accusations of defaming Islam.

Pray that Christians in both Sudan and South Sudan will continue to entrust themselves to Christ, knowing that he is sovereign over kings of the earth.

"When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying,  "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

- Revelation 6:9-10

"Rejoice, O nations, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And will render vengeance on His adversaries, And will atone for His land and His people."

- Deuteronomy 32:43

"Noble death is a treasure which no one is too poor to buy."

- C. S. Lewis

Please pray.

Blessings- Katie