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FOUNDER’S NOTE Dear Friends, Persecution Relief commemorated Indian Christian Martyrdom Day (ICMD), on 22nd July 2017, which was observed to acknowledge, remember and stand with families who have lost their dear ones as Martyrs for Jesus Christ, in India. This event created great awareness across the Church’s, Bible Colleges, Mission Organisations and Christian institutions in India. We take this opportunity to thank all of you, from several 100’s of Church’s, for your overwhelming response, joining hands with us in commemorating this unique annual event. The time has come for us to join together again, to observe the 2nd Indian Christian Martyrdom Day (ICMD) on 22nd of July 2018, to pray for the families of Martyrs & the Persecuted Church in India. As this day falls on a Sunday, we request all Church’s, Bible Colleges & Christian Institutions to spare few minutes to Pray and educate the Church members about the event. To suffer death for the sake of Christ and His Gospel is a gift and an honour that glorifies Christ. The sacrifice of these families who have lost the dear ones, is great in the sight of the Lord; the remembrance of them will be pleasant, and the reward far above all their services and sufferings. In the present times, the Church in India has a greater role and responsibility to play, in standing alongside the Persecuted brethren. For families, the pain of losing a loved one – for a mother who has lost her son, for a wife who has lost her husband and for a child who has lost a parent – the Church must continue to support and express solidarity to them, the body of Christ, irrespective of the denominations we belong. Enclosed please find the Poster to print and display on notice boards before and on the 22nd of July 2018 and Prayer Points which you may use during this event. Please feel free to circulate the same among Church members. Please share with us your stories, photographs and videos of this event to: [email protected] or WhatsApp us on +91 99932 00020. The memory of these brothers and Sisters of Christ, must remain alive. Indeed, may it grow. May it be passed down from generation to generation that it may germinate a profound Christian revival’. Together, let us come alongside as the hands of Christ, impact the lives and hearts of Martyr’s families and make ICMD – Indian Christian Martyrdom Day, a day to remember in the nation of India. Thank you for being part of Persecution Relief family. We acknowledge and honor your commitment and support. God bless you Shibu Thomas JULY 22, 2018 2nd INDIAN CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM DAY PRAYER POINTS For the Families of the Martyrs: . Pray that our Heavenly Father and the sweet Holy Spirit, will comfort the Martyrs families and provide for them spiritually, physically & materially . Pray for the parent, spouse and children as they grieve the Martyr’s loss; that God would provide grace for them to forgive and be free of bitterness or hate; strengthen, & encourage them as only He can, father to the fatherless . Pray that God would surround the families with His angels and give them supernatural joy that comes from knowing that they will see the loved ones again in Your kingdom. Pray that the Martyr’s life would serve as a testimony and bring others to Jesus . Pray that the people whose life he touched, while alive and through his courageous death, will continue to do the Lord’s work . Pray that God will call the ‘murderers’ to Himself, to be His powerful witnesses. Open their eyes to see the salvation through Jesus Christ For the Persecuted Church: . Pray that the persecuted believers would know the love of God and the hope God gives . Pray that God would raise up bold men and women to continue the ministry and fight the good fight . Pray that God will continue to protect His precious servants, shield them with Peace and surround them with favour. Pray for persecuted Christians who have been imprisoned - for their early release; that the Holy Spirit would strengthen them . Please pray for the persecuted believers to fearlessly tell others about Jesus . Pray for Christians who have been rejected by family and friends. Pray that God would surround them with a new Christian "family" who loves them and supports them emotionally and physically. Pray for the persecuted Christians to have the courage to remain in their homeland. - Please print and circulate - What is the significance about this date? “Bharat Ki Beti”, was brutally raped and killed since her family were not ready to forsake Jesus Christ and the fanatics wanted to teach them a lesson. As a tribute to this young girl, whose life was cruelly snuffed out on July 22nd, Persecution Relief have decided to commemorate ‘Indian Christian Martyrdom Day’ as an Annual Event. We remember the families of the Martyrs who lost their lives defending their faith in Jesus Christ, whose life and death, preached the loudest messages in the face of religious oppression. 2016 saw the highest number of Martyrs’, post-Indian Independence. We need to honor their families, tell their stories in our Churches, our homes and in our communities. This is our responsibility and duty so we may be renewed in taking up our cross daily no matter what it might cost us. Our Objective: To make the Church aware of the great sacrifices made by the Martyrs who lost their lives for the gospel sake, in India To honour, remember the sacrifices made by Christian Martyrs families, and stand together and support of them To create awareness on the plight of the Persecuted Church in India and stir up people to seek the face of God To motivate and encourage the Church in India to pray for the Persecutors To prepare the Church to stand boldly and go forward with the gospel in India To inspire and be inspired even to lay down our own lives if necessary, for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ What is the expectation from you? AWARENESS is the abject lack in the current Church landscape. Are we aware that the anti-Christian persecution is spreading slowly but surely? Are we aware that Christians, our brethren are being martyred and persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ? Do we remember them? Do we pray for their families? Are we indifferent or is it as if one of your family member had died? Do we tell their stories in our Churches, our homes and our communities? Are we aware that there is a deliberate attempt to silence the media as these incidents are not covered by the mainstream media? SUPPORT US BY SPREADING CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION NEWS AND HELP CREATE AWARENESS. It is important to look beyond our own boundaries, to feel that we are the Church, one family in God! How can you be part of this movement? PRAY, PROVIDE & PARTICIPATE PRAY: Pray frequently and on a daily basis for the Persecuted brethren across India Pray earnestly – remembering those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners. Pray with empathy and compassion, as if identifying and enduring the same hardships (Heb. 13:3) Pray always in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20) Pray that the Persecutors will be transformed from Saul to Paul PROVIDE: Your time, your resources, your skills, your wealth, Be a Volunteer PARTICIPATE: ‘Adopt a Martyr’s family,’ ‘Adopt a persecuted family’ There are numerous widows of martyred brothers, orphans and single parents of persecuted families who do not have the basic sustenance. With the growing persecution of the Christian Church, the Christian community needs to step in to support the future generations. See information at the bottom of the page on how you can . Adopt a Martyr’s Family . Adopt a persecuted Family Jesus said, “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” – Mark 9: 41. To learn more and partner with us, write to us at [email protected] OUR ARCHIVES – ICMD 2017 INDIAN CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM DAY, 22nd JULY What should the response and reaction of the Martyrs widows be? Listen to their own words: Bro. Maner Sori (Father of ‘Bharat ki Beti – Sis Esther who was raped and murdered) “I will never recant Jesus Christ whatever may happen. I am not worried about my daughter because she is at the safest place in Heaven. Even though they have threatened the same fate to my other daughters, I still will not forsake Christ” Sis. Sonamati Dhan (widow of Pastor Chamu Purty – shot dead): “I forgive my husband’s killers even though I am left with 4 children. I have taken responsibility of the church which no body was willing to, because of fear. God is giving me grace.” Sis. Susanna Lugun (widow of Pastor David Lugun who was shot dead): “My husband was murdered in front of me but I did not run away. I am still living in the same village and continuing serving the Lord” Sis. Uika Mangaldevi (widow of Pastor Yohan Maraiah who was beheaded): “Even though my husband has been martyred for Christ, my 3 sons have volunteered to carry on the work my husband started. I have forgiven my husband’s killers” Sis. Debe Madi (widow of Gurumurthy Madi who was shot dead): “I need your prayers and support to bear this great loss” Sis. Gladys Staines (widow of Pastor Graham Staines who lost her husband and 2 little sons- burnt alive): “I have forgiven the killers and have no bitterness because forgiveness brings healing and our land needs healing from hatred and violence” So, is it possible to forgive our persecutors? The Bible says it is possible; these widowed sisters have confessed it.