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Answers to PrayerSusan - Uganda
Just two months later, Susan was discharged from hospital, had found a home with a Christian mother of four, was planning to go back to school and able to move around on crutches. Pastor Baluku whose Church members have been visiting Susan in hospital says she is spiritual strong, loves praying and enjoys singing hymns. "Every time I go to see Susan, I leave their place feeling greatly encouraged! She is truly an inspiration." Thank you for praying. North Korea
Martha Azi - Nigeria
Uzbekistan
Mrs Edet Okhouya - Nigeria
Dawit and Meaza - Ethiopia
'Peter' - The Middle East
Maryam and Marzieh - Iran
Obe Agnes Olanike - Nigeria
Rinaldy Damanik - Indonesia
Prisoners - Mexico
Junas Naik - Orissa, India
Jamila Noma - Northern Nigeria
Brother Jacob - Mozambique
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On 22 August 2011 we asked you to pray for Susan Ithungu (14), who was left hospitalised and unable to walk after her father tortured her for becoming a Christian.
Nowhere in the world is Christian persecution as fierce as it is in North Korea, where all Christians must hide their faith. Just owning a Bible could get you killed or sent to work in one of the many brutal concentration camps. Yet despite the risks and this fierce persecution, the church is growing. They are very grateful for your support and prayers...
Martha Azi's husband was shot dead during the religious violence that engulfed the capital of Plateau State in November 2008. Only in her twenties she is the sole provider for her two children. However Martha testified that she is experiencing God's miracles in her life as the result of Christians praying for her. "My greatest joy in this difficult situation is that the people of God are praying for me. Please keep it up."
"It is against the law to teach the Christian faith at home," one Uzbeki believer told us. "Recently the police showed up at my brother's house. The officers combed through the house but finally left without finding any Christian material, despite there being four Bibles, 15 worship CD's and sermon printouts in the house!" The believers attribute this to the power of prayer and are so grateful to those who pray for them.
Pastor Israel Okhouya died of injuries after being attacked by a mob of thirty Muslim extremists armed with machetes in June 2009. His wife Edet said, "Pray that I will be able to forgive the killers of my husband wholeheartedly. It is not easy." In a stunned and silent courtroom, Edet was able to tell the suspects that she loved them with the love of Christ and even offered to pay their bail! She said "I am so happy to know that I am not alone in this battle of faith and that is why I am strong. The Good Lord will bless you richly in all your endeavours."
Last year Dawit and his wife Meaza were kicked and beaten by Muslims outside their church building. Meaza lost the child she was carrying and has since suffered two miscarriages. However, both of them have forgiven their attackers and been greatly strengthened to know that many are praying for them. "The Lord is encouraging me through your prayers," Meaza said. "Please say thank you to those who are praying for us," said Dawit. "We do not know them personally. But God knows them."
'Peter', a believer from the Middle East, was arrested earlier this year because of his faith. When his father visited him in prison, Peter told him that he had had a dream. In his dream he was surrounded by many people – he didn't recognise any of them but they all knew him – who were hugging him and calling his name and waving. He woke up and knew he was being prayed for by many people he had never met! When his father heard this, he wept, but Peter told him to dry his eyes as there was no reason to be sad. Peter said he knew he was free – it was just the walls around him that had changed. Praise God!
Maryam and Marzieh were imprisoned without trial or charge in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran in March 2009. At one of their lowest points they met a stranger in the prison who told them that documents they had been shown apparently proving that they had been forgotten about were false. The stranger added, "Many Christians around the world are thinking, talking and praying for you." Then she disappeared from sight. Knowing that believers from around the world were praying for them enabled Maryam and Marzieh to stand firm in their faith despite their illnesses and mistreatment in prison.
Nigerian Christian Obe Agnes Olanike was consumed with sorrow and could hardly stop crying after her husband was murdered for his faith in 2008. Twelve months later she radiated a peace that passes all understanding. She testifies that it was because of the prayers of the faithful [referring to the letters she had received from around the world]. "I can see the hand of God in my situation," she said. "The joy in me is overflowing even to my neighbours. I now believe in prayer. I never thought I would overcome the pain of the death of my husband, but the Lord has done it."
Rinaldy Damanik, an Indonesian Christian prisoner was miraculously healed of severe kidney problems after he heard the Lord's voice inside saying, "Don't worry: there are many people praying for you." On his release from prison Rinaldy said "I am doing very well in both body and soul. I believe this is because of the many prayers from many brothers and sisters all over the world. How am I aware of this? As of yesterday, since my detention at the beginning of the year, I have received 13,425 letters and postcards from abroad."
As part of an Open Doors team, I visited 34 Christian men in a high-security prison in Mexico, where we handed out gifts of shampoo, soap and other toiletries as well as the many letters that had been written to them from supporters around the world. They were grateful for the gifts but it was when we told them that they were not forgotten and that people were praying for them that each of the men broke down in tears. They were grateful for the gifts, but much more grateful for the assurances that Christians around the world knew and cared about them and were praying for them. 
Junas Naik from India, who was helped with his medical care by Open Doors after 2008 Orissa riots, said: "Only people of prayer, like you, have sustained me. I am alive today with so many bullets in my body because of your prayers. In fact, so many people could have died in attacks like this, but we have survived just because of the mercies of Christ. So please continue to shoulder us and stand with us."
After Jamila started to follow Christ, her father forced her into an arranged marriage with a Muslim. After several rape attempts, Jamila managed to escape and went into hiding. With the help of her Christian uncle, she was put into the care of a lawyer, who courageously defended her case in the Sharia (Islamic law) court. When asked about how she keeps standing strong in her faith, Jamila said: "I must confess that your prayers give me joy. You need to know that God is answering your prayers in my life!" Jamila's father has since admitted his error in trying to force her into marriage, and has agreed to let her live her life as she chooses.
Brother Jacob would hear the muffled gunshots coming from somewhere in the prison complex and think that it could be his turn tomorrow. He prayed "Father, please tell your children around the world to pray for me." He explains how one day he found a short message, hidden in a rice bowl by local Christians who visited him in prison. It said that brothers and sisters around the world were praying for him. He says "It was a tremendous assurance of God's faithfulness – to me and to my family. It encouraged me greatly. Oh, how I could rest in the knowledge and comfort of those prayers, regardless of what tomorrow would bring." Brother Jacob continues – "May I encourage you today with these words: Your prayers are heard -
