Week of July 24

Waiting on God

Sowing our Prayer… Reaping the Spirit

      On June 29, Pastor Dou Shaowen who is currently serving a one-year sentence for “engaging in illegal activities” was secretly transferred to Shifo Re-education Through Labor Center in Zhengzhou city, Henan province, according to China Aid Association.

His family was not informed of his transfer. Pastor Dou, his wife Feng Lu and five other believers were arrested on June 14 when government officials raided and closed the Rock Church. The police confiscated computers and other church property from the church. Pastor Dou and his wife were sentenced to a year in prison and the other believers were sentenced to 15 days in detention and fined 500 Yuan (US$ 73). However, Feng Lu will serve her sentence at home so she can care for their 12 year-old daughter.

China Aid reported that Pastor Dou has been treated inhumanely in the labor camp. According to China Aid, Pastor Dou was forced to squat when he wanted to talk to police officers, he was also forced to work 18 hours a day from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. midnight. China Aid reports that some prisoners have contracted diseases while at the camp because of overcrowding, more than 70 people sleep in a room, the hot weather and poor sanitary conditions.

Feng Lu attempted to visit her husband in prison, but was told she could not visit him for a month. She is required to report to the Public Security Bureau police regularly, and could be sent to labor camp again if she is found “engaging in illegal religious activities” again.

The Voice of the Martyrs has worked with and supported persecuted Christians in China for more than 30 years. VOM encourages you to pray for Pastor Dou and his family during this challenging time. Ask God to protect and encourage them. Ask God to especially minister to their 12 year-old daughter during this time.

Monday	Philippians 2:1-11
Tuesday	Acts 14:19-22
Wednesday	2 Timothy 2:1-13
Thursday	Philippians 3:7-11
Friday	1 Peter 4:12-19
Saturday	2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

Suffering is an import aspect of the Christian life.  This week, go to www.persecution.com and go to their newsroom to read more stories of suffering Christians around the world.

During your reading this week, ask yourself about what the importance is of suffering.  Why do we suffer as Christians?  What brings about the suffering?  What does the suffering bring in our lives?  What is the purpose of suffering as a Christian?

Feel free to make comments through the week on your thoughts

and reactions to the devotionals and what you are learning!