PRAY - Voice of the Martyrs
PRAY - Voice of the Martyrs
PRAY - Voice of the Martyrs
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I COMMIT TO<br />
<strong>PRAY</strong><br />
®<br />
Kids <strong>of</strong> Courage Resource for <strong>the</strong> International Day <strong>of</strong> Prayer
Lesson Plan<br />
Parents and Teachers<br />
The International Day <strong>of</strong> Prayer for <strong>the</strong> Persecuted<br />
Church (IDOP) is a day set aside to focus our<br />
prayers on those who are suffering for <strong>the</strong>ir faith<br />
in Christ. The following lesson is designed to<br />
encourage children to remember and pray for<br />
Christians around <strong>the</strong> world who face persecution.<br />
As you teach <strong>the</strong> lesson, encourage students to<br />
pray for <strong>the</strong> persecuted not just one day a year, but<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> year and throughout <strong>the</strong>ir lives.<br />
[Note: Prayer activities are included in this lesson<br />
plan. Choose <strong>the</strong> ones most appropriate for your<br />
students and your setting.]<br />
Introduction<br />
Ask: What is persecution<br />
(Possible answers: Persecution can mean someone<br />
is teased, picked on, or made fun <strong>of</strong>. Or it can mean<br />
someone is arrested, put in jail, or injured. They<br />
might even die.)<br />
Explain: The Bible tells many stories <strong>of</strong> bold believers<br />
who were persecuted for following God. Shadrach,<br />
Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a furnace<br />
(Daniel 3); Saul had to escape his pursuers in a<br />
basket (Acts 9); Jeremiah was thrown into a muddy<br />
dungeon (Jeremiah 38); Micaiah was ridiculed and<br />
struck in <strong>the</strong> face (1 Kings 22); Peter was jailed (Acts<br />
12); and Stephen was stoned (Acts 7).<br />
(Share and discuss with <strong>the</strong> students one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Bible stories above, or ano<strong>the</strong>r story from <strong>the</strong> Bible<br />
about a courageous believer.)<br />
Ask: Some Christians in o<strong>the</strong>r countries face<br />
persecution because <strong>the</strong>y follow Jesus. Why do<br />
you think Christians are persecuted<br />
Explain: Believers have been persecuted since <strong>the</strong><br />
beginning <strong>of</strong> Christianity.<br />
• Jesus told his disciples that <strong>the</strong>y would be<br />
persecuted because persecutors do not know<br />
<strong>the</strong> one true God, “‘A servant is not greater than<br />
his master.’ If <strong>the</strong>y persecuted Me, <strong>the</strong>y will also<br />
persecute you…But all <strong>the</strong>se things <strong>the</strong>y will do<br />
to you for My name’s sake, because <strong>the</strong>y do not<br />
know Him who sent Me” (John 15:20, 21).<br />
• Jesus is “<strong>the</strong> light <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world” (John 8:12). The<br />
Bible tells us that people who do evil things hate<br />
<strong>the</strong> light (John 3:20).<br />
• Paul said Christians go through many hardships<br />
in this world, “We must through many tribulations<br />
enter <strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> God” (Acts 14:22).<br />
• But Jesus also encouraged his disciples and<br />
said, “In <strong>the</strong> world you will have tribulation; but<br />
be <strong>of</strong> good cheer, I have overcome <strong>the</strong> world”<br />
(John 16:33).<br />
• Jesus said in Mat<strong>the</strong>w 5:11 that those who are<br />
persecuted for his sake will be “blessed.” Discuss<br />
what it means to be blessed.<br />
• Jesus also said not to worry when his followers<br />
are delivered to <strong>the</strong>ir persecutors. The Holy Spirit<br />
will guide believers in knowing what to say (Matt.<br />
10:17-20).<br />
Compared to <strong>the</strong> joy we will experience in heaven,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Bible calls persecution “light affliction” that<br />
lasts only a short time. Afflictions are problems and<br />
hardships. (See 2 Corinthians 4:17.)<br />
Ask: Christian workers from The <strong>Voice</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Martyrs</strong> visit persecuted Christians to help and<br />
encourage <strong>the</strong>m. The workers ask <strong>the</strong> persecuted<br />
Christians how <strong>the</strong>y can help <strong>the</strong>m. What do<br />
you think is <strong>the</strong> number-one thing persecuted<br />
Christians ask for (Possible guesses: Bibles,<br />
money, doctors, lawyers, soldiers to free <strong>the</strong>m, etc.)<br />
Explain: Most Christians say <strong>the</strong> main thing <strong>the</strong>y<br />
need is prayer. Christians know that God is more<br />
powerful than <strong>the</strong>ir persecutors. They know he<br />
can help <strong>the</strong>m and give <strong>the</strong>m peace about <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
situation. (See 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.)<br />
The Bible tells us to remember persecuted<br />
Christians as if we were suffering along with <strong>the</strong>m!<br />
Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember <strong>the</strong> prisoners as if<br />
chained with <strong>the</strong>m—those who are mistreated—<br />
since you yourselves are in <strong>the</strong> body also.”<br />
The words “since you yourselves are in <strong>the</strong> body<br />
also” tell us that all Christians are part <strong>of</strong> one family,<br />
or “body.” First Corinthians 12:26 says, “And if one<br />
member suffers, all <strong>the</strong> members suffer with it….”<br />
The verse reminds us that if one person in a group<br />
suffers, o<strong>the</strong>rs suffer along with <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
IDOP Sunday is a day when we remember <strong>the</strong><br />
needs <strong>of</strong> Christians who are persecuted for <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
witness and pray for <strong>the</strong>m. This special day <strong>of</strong><br />
prayer can help us form a habit <strong>of</strong> praying for <strong>the</strong>m<br />
every day.
Prayer Activities<br />
A–Z Prayer Guide Suggestions<br />
There are 52 Sundays in 2014 and 26 prayer<br />
points on <strong>the</strong> prayer guide shown on <strong>the</strong><br />
following pages. Help <strong>the</strong> children make a plan<br />
to pray for persecuted Christians throughout<br />
<strong>the</strong> year. Encourage <strong>the</strong>m to pray for each<br />
prayer request for two weeks.<br />
Explain: The Bible tells us an amazing story <strong>of</strong><br />
how one man got out <strong>of</strong> prison after Christians<br />
prayed for him. In Bible times, a king named<br />
Herod did not like Christians. Herod had Peter,<br />
one <strong>of</strong> Jesus’ disciples, put in prison. Four<br />
groups <strong>of</strong> soldiers guarded Peter. Christians in<br />
<strong>the</strong> city prayed for Peter all <strong>the</strong> time.<br />
Then an angel <strong>of</strong> God came to Peter in <strong>the</strong><br />
prison! Peter’s chains fell <strong>of</strong>f! Peter followed<br />
<strong>the</strong> angel past all <strong>the</strong> guards and out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
prison gate. Then <strong>the</strong> angel disappeared.<br />
Peter went to <strong>the</strong> house where Christians<br />
were praying for him. He knocked, and a girl<br />
named Rhoda came to <strong>the</strong> door. She was so<br />
excited to hear Peter’s voice that she ran to <strong>the</strong><br />
o<strong>the</strong>r Christians without remembering to open<br />
<strong>the</strong> door! She told everyone that Peter was<br />
outside. They didn’t believe her. “It must be an<br />
angel,” <strong>the</strong>y said.<br />
But <strong>the</strong>y opened <strong>the</strong> door and were amazed to<br />
see Peter! (See Acts 12.)<br />
Not all Christians are freed from <strong>the</strong>ir problems<br />
after people pray for <strong>the</strong>m. O<strong>the</strong>rs receive<br />
strength to get through <strong>the</strong>ir struggles. But<br />
God hears all <strong>the</strong> prayers and he cares for all his<br />
children who are suffering. (See 1 Peter 5:6-7.)<br />
Nigeria Prayer Card Suggestions<br />
Photocopy and cut out <strong>the</strong> prayer cards on<br />
Page 6. To make sturdier cards, print <strong>the</strong>m<br />
on cardstock and/or laminate <strong>the</strong>m. Read <strong>the</strong><br />
information on all <strong>the</strong> cards to <strong>the</strong> students.<br />
Then divide <strong>the</strong> students into groups to pray<br />
for <strong>the</strong> children on <strong>the</strong> cards. Discuss what<br />
<strong>the</strong>y might pray about. Make extras to send<br />
home with <strong>the</strong> students if desired. [Note: The<br />
families <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> children on <strong>the</strong> cards have<br />
been featured on <strong>the</strong> www.kids<strong>of</strong>courage.com<br />
website.]<br />
Background to share with students: The<br />
Stephen Center is a home and school for<br />
children in Nigeria. (These children have<br />
lost one or both parents.) Muslims have<br />
persecuted <strong>the</strong> children’s families because <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir Christian faith. At <strong>the</strong> Stephen Center, <strong>the</strong><br />
children grow in <strong>the</strong>ir faith and learn to forgive<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir persecutors.<br />
(The names <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people in this<br />
lesson plan have been changed to protect <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
identities.)
A to Z Prayer Guide<br />
Akash, age 12, and<br />
his 8-year-old sister,<br />
Rupa, were happy when<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir family trusted in<br />
Jesus. But villagers no<br />
longer allowed <strong>the</strong>m to<br />
get water from <strong>the</strong> village<br />
wells. Pray for <strong>the</strong> family.<br />
Boko Haram is a radical<br />
Muslim group in Nigeria<br />
that attacks Christians.<br />
Pray that members will<br />
leave <strong>the</strong> group and that<br />
no more people will join.<br />
Pray that <strong>the</strong>y come to<br />
Christ.<br />
Colombian Christians<br />
in areas controlled<br />
by guerrillas are <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
in danger. Missionary<br />
pilots drop Bibles and<br />
Christian materials into<br />
those areas with small<br />
parachutes. Pray that God<br />
will guide <strong>the</strong> Christian materials to those<br />
who need <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Delviana, a teenager in<br />
Indonesia, was hurt<br />
when radical Muslims<br />
bombed her church. “I<br />
don’t hate those who<br />
harm me,” she said. Thank<br />
God for her strong faith.<br />
Ehtasham’s uncle<br />
rescued him from<br />
bullies in Pakistan who<br />
picked on him for being a<br />
Christian. As a result, his<br />
uncle was arrested for not<br />
honoring Muslim beliefs.<br />
Praise God that he was later released.<br />
Febiola’s mo<strong>the</strong>r was<br />
burned while escaping<br />
Muslim attackers in<br />
Indonesia. Febiola hopes<br />
people don’t make rude<br />
comments about her<br />
mo<strong>the</strong>r’s burned face. Pray<br />
that she will have peace.<br />
Gulnaz was helping her<br />
husband, Narsbek, and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r Christians as <strong>the</strong>y<br />
delivered gifts to children<br />
at a village in Kyrgyzstan.<br />
Twenty Muslims attacked<br />
<strong>the</strong> Christians and burned<br />
<strong>the</strong> gifts. Pray that <strong>the</strong><br />
attackers will trust in Jesus and find joy.<br />
Haile Nayzgi, a church<br />
leader in Eritrea, was<br />
arrested for his Christian<br />
activities in 2004. After<br />
his arrest, his wife and<br />
three children were<br />
placed in different<br />
refugee camps in Sudan.<br />
Pray that <strong>the</strong> family will<br />
be safe and reunited.<br />
I<br />
sha and Isham’s mo<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
Asia Bibi, is in jail in<br />
Pakistan because she was<br />
accused <strong>of</strong> insulting Islam,<br />
<strong>the</strong> religion <strong>of</strong> Muslims.<br />
Pray for <strong>the</strong>ir family and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r Christian victims <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> laws in Pakistan.
Joseph’s fa<strong>the</strong>r died in<br />
an attack by Muslims in<br />
Nigeria. Christians at <strong>the</strong><br />
Stephen Center cared for<br />
him and his three siblings.<br />
Joseph has graduated<br />
from <strong>the</strong> school and is<br />
strong in his faith. Thank<br />
God for caring for children<br />
in need.<br />
Kim Jong Un is <strong>the</strong><br />
leader <strong>of</strong> North Korea.<br />
His family has ruled <strong>the</strong><br />
country for more than 50<br />
years. Christians risk great<br />
danger if <strong>the</strong>y are caught<br />
reading <strong>the</strong> Bible or<br />
worshiping toge<strong>the</strong>r. Pray<br />
for Christians in prison in<br />
North Korea.<br />
Lily is <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong><br />
a Chinese pastor. She<br />
was confused when her<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r was put in prison.<br />
Now he is free, and she<br />
understands that he was<br />
punished for his faith. Pray<br />
for her and <strong>the</strong> families <strong>of</strong><br />
Christian prisoners.<br />
Mary and Martha are<br />
twins who live in<br />
Nigeria. Their fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />
died from burns he<br />
received during an attack<br />
by Muslims. The girls live<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Stephen Center.<br />
Pray for Christian families<br />
in Nigeria.<br />
Nimal, age 6, and his<br />
sister, Nirmala, 12, are<br />
Christians whose homes<br />
were attacked in Sri Lanka.<br />
Their fa<strong>the</strong>r is a pastor.<br />
The children attended<br />
a camp for children<br />
whose families have been<br />
persecuted. Pray for Sri Lankan children.<br />
Orphans in Laos<br />
began attending<br />
church and decided to<br />
follow Christ. The director<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> orphanage warned<br />
<strong>the</strong>m to stop going to<br />
church. But <strong>the</strong>y still go to<br />
church quietly. Pray that<br />
<strong>the</strong> orphans will stay strong in <strong>the</strong>ir faith.<br />
Phum, a teenager in<br />
Laos, loves <strong>the</strong> Lord.<br />
She is <strong>the</strong> only Christian<br />
in her family. Her bro<strong>the</strong>r<br />
burned her Bible, and<br />
her family said she could<br />
no longer go to school<br />
because <strong>of</strong> her faith in<br />
Christ. Phum asked that people pray for<br />
her and her family.<br />
Quran is <strong>the</strong> Muslim<br />
holy book. Christians<br />
in Pakistan are sometimes<br />
falsely accused <strong>of</strong><br />
damaging <strong>the</strong> Quran and<br />
sent to jail. Pray for fair laws<br />
and leaders in Pakistan.<br />
R<br />
achen, an 8-year-old<br />
girl in Vietnam, bit <strong>the</strong><br />
policeman who arrested<br />
her fa<strong>the</strong>r for his Christian<br />
activities! Later she learned<br />
to forgive persecutors.<br />
Today she teaches children<br />
about Jesus. Pray for<br />
children in Vietnam whose<br />
parents are in prison.
arah is an Egyptian girl<br />
S who was kidnapped<br />
by radical Muslims<br />
in September 2011.<br />
Kidnapped girls in Egypt<br />
are <strong>of</strong>ten forced to marry<br />
Muslim men. Pray for<br />
Christian girls in Egypt.<br />
urkish Christians<br />
T sometimes face<br />
violent persecution, but<br />
<strong>the</strong>y also face “smart”<br />
persecution, which leaves<br />
no physical injuries.<br />
An example <strong>of</strong> smart<br />
persecution is <strong>the</strong> unfair<br />
treatment <strong>of</strong> Christians at school or at<br />
work. Bosses and teachers may also try<br />
to pressure people who have become<br />
Muslims to return to Islam. Pray for victims<br />
<strong>of</strong> smart persecution.<br />
zbekistan’s police<br />
U raid Christian worship<br />
meetings, send spies<br />
to churches, take away<br />
church property, and<br />
arrest believers. Police in<br />
part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country try<br />
to prevent children from<br />
going to worship services.<br />
Pray that police will repent and trust Jesus.<br />
Vietnamese Christian<br />
children from small<br />
tribes sometimes have to<br />
live without <strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>rs,<br />
who are in prison. Their<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>rs are arrested for<br />
being Christian youth<br />
leaders, evangelists,<br />
or members <strong>of</strong> church<br />
committees. Pray that <strong>the</strong>ir families will<br />
be reunited.<br />
est Bank and Gaza<br />
W Christians live near<br />
<strong>the</strong> place where Jesus<br />
was born. But today, most<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people who live<br />
around <strong>the</strong>m are Muslims.<br />
A few years ago, radical<br />
Muslims kidnapped Rami, a Christian man,<br />
and shot him. Rami’s wife, Pauline, is now<br />
raising three children alone. Please pray<br />
for <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
Xinjiang is an area in<br />
northwest China. Alim<br />
Yimiti from Xinjiang was<br />
imprisoned for sharing<br />
<strong>the</strong> truth about Jesus with<br />
people from <strong>the</strong> Uygur<br />
[WEE-guhr] ethnic group.<br />
Most Uygurs are Muslims. Pray for Alim, his<br />
wife, and his two sons.<br />
Youcef Nadarkhani has<br />
been in and out <strong>of</strong><br />
prison in Iran. Youcef, his<br />
wife, and <strong>the</strong>ir two sons<br />
are Christians. He was<br />
arrested after he objected<br />
to <strong>the</strong> government’s policy<br />
<strong>of</strong> teaching children from <strong>the</strong> Quran. Ask<br />
God to protect Youcef and his family.<br />
Zanzibar is an island<br />
<strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong><br />
Africa. The countries <strong>of</strong><br />
Tanganyika and Zanzibar<br />
joined to form <strong>the</strong> country<br />
<strong>of</strong> Tanzania in 1964.<br />
More than 95 percent <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> people <strong>of</strong> Zanzibar<br />
are Muslims. Recently,<br />
radical Muslims have attacked Christians<br />
and churches in <strong>the</strong> area. Pray that <strong>the</strong><br />
Christians will stand firm and that <strong>the</strong><br />
Muslim attackers will repent.<br />
icommittopray.com
Prayer Cards<br />
Blessing<br />
Goodness<br />
Blessing’s family was persecuted by Muslim<br />
attackers during a riot, and her fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />
died. She came to <strong>the</strong> Stephen Center in<br />
Nigeria when she was 7 years old. Kind<br />
Christians at <strong>the</strong> school helped her learn to<br />
like her new home. When she was 13, she<br />
began helping Goodness, a new 5-year-old<br />
student who became her “school daughter.”<br />
Blessing has graduated from <strong>the</strong> school<br />
at <strong>the</strong> Stephen Center, and she goes to<br />
college now.<br />
Goodness is 10 years old. She and her<br />
sister live at <strong>the</strong> Stephen Center. Her<br />
favorite Bible verse, from Psalm 46, is<br />
“God is our refuge and strength, a very<br />
present help in trouble.”<br />
She has a new “school mo<strong>the</strong>r” named Gloria.<br />
Goodness likes Bible stories, reading, and<br />
soccer. Her favorite subjects are math and<br />
Christian studies. She would like to be a<br />
doctor someday.<br />
Faith, Miracle, and Samuel<br />
Mary and Martha<br />
Faith, Miracle, and Samuel are Blessing’s<br />
younger sisters and bro<strong>the</strong>r. Miracle and<br />
Samuel are twins. After <strong>the</strong> family was<br />
persecuted by Muslim attackers, <strong>the</strong>ir mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />
gave birth to Miracle early, but Samuel was<br />
not born for several more weeks! They are<br />
now 12 years old, and Faith is 14.<br />
“God takes care <strong>of</strong> us when we’re in<br />
trouble,” said Miracle. Her favorite Bible<br />
passage is Psalm 23.<br />
Mary and Martha are 9-year-old twins in<br />
Nigeria. When <strong>the</strong>y were babies, radical<br />
Muslims burned down <strong>the</strong>ir house. They<br />
later moved to <strong>the</strong> Stephen Center.<br />
Nigeria has many twins, and <strong>the</strong>re are<br />
several o<strong>the</strong>r pairs <strong>of</strong> twins at <strong>the</strong> school.<br />
“I have learned that God has a special plan<br />
for my life,” said Mary. “I have learned that<br />
I have to be obedient for God’s plan to be<br />
fulfilled,” said Martha.
Additional Activities<br />
Language How to say “Jesus loves me”<br />
Hausa (Nigeria) YAY-soo YEHN-ah KOW-nah-tah<br />
Chinese (China) Yeh-soo ai wo<br />
Spanish (Colombia) KREES-toh may AH-mah<br />
Tigrinya (Eritrea) Yehf kee rehn nee yoo<br />
Sing a Song<br />
Practice saying “Jesus loves me” in one or<br />
more <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> languages shown below. Sing <strong>the</strong><br />
song “Jesus Loves Me,” substituting <strong>the</strong> words<br />
from ano<strong>the</strong>r language whenever <strong>the</strong> phrase<br />
occurs in <strong>the</strong> song. (Note: Nigeria’s <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
language is English. But more than 250 ethnic<br />
groups have <strong>the</strong>ir own main language. Hausa is<br />
one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> languages.)<br />
Head Carry Relay<br />
In Nigeria and many o<strong>the</strong>r countries, people<br />
sometimes carry things on <strong>the</strong>ir heads.<br />
Instructions: Divide into two teams with an<br />
equal number <strong>of</strong> players. Have <strong>the</strong> first player<br />
on each team balance a book on his or her<br />
head. After a signal to start, <strong>the</strong> players walk<br />
as far as <strong>the</strong>y can without touching <strong>the</strong> book<br />
with <strong>the</strong>ir hands. At <strong>the</strong> point where <strong>the</strong> book<br />
falls <strong>of</strong>f or <strong>the</strong> player touches it with his or her<br />
hand, <strong>the</strong> second player from that team takes<br />
over and continues from that point. After both<br />
teams have used all <strong>the</strong>ir players, <strong>the</strong> team that<br />
went <strong>the</strong> far<strong>the</strong>st wins.<br />
Eat a Snack<br />
(Three Simple Snacks from Nigeria)<br />
Baked Plantains<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel plantains<br />
and bake in a shallow pan until golden brown.<br />
Slice and serve while warm. Each plantain<br />
makes one or two servings.<br />
Mango Dessert<br />
Peel and slice one mango and two bananas;<br />
<strong>the</strong>n gently mix toge<strong>the</strong>r in a small bowl.<br />
Sprinkle with 1 tbsp. lemon juice and 4 tbsp.<br />
orange juice. Serve over ice cream.<br />
Nigerian Snack Mix<br />
Thaw 2 cups frozen corn to room temperature.<br />
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread <strong>the</strong> corn<br />
in a single layer on a greased cookie sheet.<br />
Bake about 15 to 20 minutes until lightly brown<br />
and starting to dry out. Remove from oven and<br />
let cool. Place in a bowl and mix with 2 cups<br />
peanuts. Sprinkle salt on top. Keep refrigerated<br />
in an airtight container before serving.<br />
®<br />
P.O. Box 443<br />
Bartlesville, OK 74005-0443<br />
tel: 918-337-8015<br />
orders and contributions: 800-747-0085<br />
ministry information: 877-337-0302<br />
e-mail: <strong>the</strong>voice@vom-usa.org<br />
website: www.persecution.com<br />
children’s website: www.kids<strong>of</strong>courage.com