Praying, brother. The least I can do. May God strengthen the brothers and sisters in Christ in Turkey.
Once again the letter to the Ephesians strikes home in the place where God sent it!
In Christ,
Sister Leslie

_________________
Leslie

My dear sister prayer is the least that you can do for the persecuted but also the most powerful thing you can do.

Thank you so much for lifting this precious couple up in your prayers.

-bro blaine-

We need your prayers! Andrew was moved in the night of Thursday night to the Counter Terrorist Dept. Then taken to court in the morning and falsely charged with, "membership in an armed terrorist organization, " with no evidence provided. The judge sent him to prison to await further Court proceedings. I don't know when I will be able to see him as this prison is very strict. Needless to say, this is a blow. God can still get him back for Christmas, Even on the 12th, but right now he need your prayers more than ever.

From Norine Bronsun's Facebook post.

-bro blaine-

Dear praying friends,

Today the lawyer tried to access Andrew's file, now that he has been officially charged. It was confirmed that a decision was taken to keep the file sealed. How can the lawyer prepare a defense??!!!

Well, December 12, has come and gone for us. We had cautious optimism for today, and I am guessing Andrew is feeling sick at heart with hope deferred. Our next hope is for Christmas break so we can be reunited with our kids.

It's time, for a sound of praise, a concert of prayer, and the words of praise to open up prison doors. Someone gave us this word. So praise, pray, and worship for Turkey.

-bro blaine-

This morning I was praying for the Brunson's. As always in praying for the persecuted I struggle in terms of what the pray for them. I know in my heart what I want want to cry out for. My heart would want to cry out for Andrew's release. But then is this what God desires?

As I inquired of the Spirit in terms of how I should pray for the Brunsons. The Spirit simply spoke. Pray that "they would be "faithful."

After that what more can be said? Or what mire can be prayed?

-bro blaine-

From Voice of the Persecuted

RAISE YOUR VOICE
An American pastor, Andrew Brunson, has been falsely charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” Turkey has imprisoned this American pastor without any evidence. He has been a Christian pastor in Turkey for the past 23 years.

We are representing the family of this American Pastor who is facing grave danger in a Turkish prison where he is being held simply because of his Christian beliefs. The government of Turkey – led by an Islamic party – has begun increased crackdowns on Christians, and Pastor Andrew, if convicted, may face years in prison based on extremely serious – and false – charges. We are launching a global campaign to call attention to his plight demanding that Turkey – a NATO member – release Pastor Andrew without delay.

Pastor Andrew Brunson – a U.S. citizen from Black Mountain, North Carolina – was summoned to the local police station in Izmir, Turkey on the morning of October 7, 2016. He believed he would be receiving a long awaited permanent residence card. Pastor Brunson, who is a U.S. citizen, has been living in Turkey for 23 years, running a Christian church with the full knowledge of local authorities.

Upon arriving at the station, he was informed he was being deported based on being a “threat to national security,” a common excuse for deportation in Turkey. It became clear that he was being arrested and would be detained until deportation. He was fingerprinted, searched, and had his phone, pen, etc. taken away. He was denied a Bible. But instead of being deported, he was held with no charges for 63 days, during which time he was denied access to his Turkish attorney. He was placed in solitary confinement for part of this time, with his glasses and watch confiscated.

Then on December 8th, after being detained for 63 days, things took a dire turn. In the middle of the night, Pastor Andrew was taken to a counter terrorism center in Izmir and then on to court. He was questioned and has been falsely charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” The charging documents state no “evidence has been gathered” against him. A Turkish judge had the option to deport Pastor Andrew, release him on weekly sign-ins at the local police station, or imprison him. The judge chose to remand Pastor Andrew to prison.

Pastor Andrew has quietly and faithfully pastored churches in Turkey for over 23 years. He has raised his family in Turkey. He has dedicated his life in service to the people of Turkey, who he loves. He has never been a member of an armed terrorist organization. He is awaiting trial, and if convicted under these false charges, could face years of imprisonment, even though his Turkish attorney cannot review his case file. He is in great danger.

We have mobilized our international offices, working with the U.S. State Department to free this U.S. pastor once and for all.

As we approach Christmas – a season of hope and promise – we know that people around the world will stand with Pastor Andrew – will be Pastor Andrew’s voice – supporting his fight for freedom and will join us in urging Turkey to release him immediately.

His Turkish attorney is planning to file an appeal in 2 days. Pastor Andrew urgently needs your voice now.

Join the international legal advocacy effort and be heard. Demand American Pastor Andrew’s freedom today.

VOP note: Keep pressing in! Remember Andrew in your daily prayers. #NotForgotten

The previous post from Vouce of the Persecuted is actually an article by ACLJ. Juat wanted to clarify.

-bro blaine-

Brothers and Sisters,

There's something about the imprisonment of this dear brother, Andrew Bronson, that resonates in my soul. As one who has prayed for the persecuted for many years. The plight of this brother cuts deeply into my heart. When I read this Facebook pages that are sent to me from this dear wife. My heart is so gripped by the sorrow she must feel.

One Facebook page from sister Norine, Andrew's wife, said that she had not received a letter from her husband and over 70 days. She said the clothes and books she attempted to send to him in prison were returned. She was told such items were not allowed to be given to prisoners.

Dear saints keep in mind that Andrew has even been denied access to a Bible. Even American prisoners if they so choose can have a Bible. But this dear brother imprisoned in a Turkish prison for serving Christ cannot even have access to a Bible, to clean clothes, or possibly even to receive letters from his dear wife. Sister Norine does not know if even her letters are getting through to Andrew. Though she writes him on a daily basis.

There is something about the imprisonment of this brother that pierces my heart. Though I've prayed for the persecuted for many years. Though I've shed tears for them. There's something about this brother's imprisonment that causes more tears to flow out of my eyes.

I know the general scriptures and the things to pray for the persecuted on a daily basis. But somehow my prayers just don't touch the surface of what does brother must be enduring. I sense in my spirit that his dear wife is grieving and working through the process that she may never see her husband again.

It must be particularly hard as this is Christmas. This may be the first Christmas that this precious couple has spent apart. And the circumstances in which they are separated. The circumstances in which her dear husband has been snatched away Satan and put in prison.

The Turkish government has given hints that this man will never be set free and see the light of day. The enemy must be speaking into Andrew and Norine's minds that Andrew will be forgotten. Indeed Andrew Brunson may become the American version of Raoul Wallenberg.

As I prayed for them this morning though God reminded me the Andrew is surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. This brother is not forgotten by God. The same God that's just an Richard work and John Bunyan. This same God will also sustain Andrew Brunson. The Lord speaks to my heart and says pray for His hrace for both Andrew and Norine that they will endure this trial.

I remember hearing the story of a precious sister imprisoned in North Korea. By the grace of God she was able to escape North Korea and the death camp where she had been imprisoned. When asked how she endured her imprisonment. Her response was, "I heard the prayers of the saints."

Brothers and sisters I have heard this testimony from accounts I have read about the persecuted. Somehow in the spirit those in prison and in the death camps know they are being prayed for my other brothers and sisters.

Dear saints would you please remember the persecuted in your prayers this Christmas. Would you please remember the Bronsons in the trial they are enduring in Turkey.

In tears from the foot of His cross.

Bro Blaine

Brother, this really is disturbing and perplexing. I travel quite frequently to Turkey for business reasons and although I have seen the political atmosphere changing rapidly in recent years it still seems odd that this Pastor can disappear into the prison system without any news or voices raised from the diplomats and church leaders based in Turkey.

Turkey is not as yet a North Korea or even like Pakistan. There are still churches operating openly in Turkey I believe and in fact there seem to be some in in the city of Izmir. So I wonder why these churches and pastors are not involved in finding out what the situation is. Maybe as the country is still under 'emergency powers' the government can do whatever it wants as people are too frightened to speak up.

We should keep praying, but it would be good if there could be some contact and feedback from believers in Turkey if possible.

_________________
Dave

Brother my undersranding is there have been those in the Turkish evangelical community who have raised concerns over the imprisonment of Andrew Brunson. There have even been those in the Turkish Parliament who have inquired of the government as to why this man has been imorisonned. The Turkish government has not given any answers

However since Erdogan has emerged as the strong man, opposition to him has been silenced. Journalists and others who have spoken out against him have been imprisoned. Watchers have said that Turkey has imprisoned more journalists than any country on the face of the Earth. That would include nations such as North Korea and Eritrea.

Observers have said that Turkey, once governed by the democratic secular principles of kemal Ataturk, is shifting toward an Islamic dictatorship. Much of what you see in the Central Asian republics. And there is Erdogan's dream of re-establishing the Ottoman Caliphate. Preferrably with him as the Caliph. At least in his own eyes.

How all of this will play out for the Turkish Christians and the imprisonnent of Andrew Bronson? Only God knows. But it could be that people are afraid to speak out since it will be construed as opposition to Erdogan. And that could very well land one in prison.

Dave please be careful in your travels to Turkey. I get the impression that westerners are not welcome in that nation. And for sure let us keep Andrew Bronson and the other Turkish Christians in our prayers.

These are simply my thoughts. Since you travel to Turkey you may have a greater understanding of what is happening over there. I certainly welcome your thoughts.

Bro Blaine