PHILIPPINES: A Letter from the Field

07 January 2025

filipino people praying for food

Source: VOM Contacts

VOM Australia supports front-line workers in Mindanao, where Christians are subjected to persecution from Muslim and communist groups. These workers share the gospel and minister to persecuted believers.

We received the correspondence below from one of our contacts to encourage prayer.

“My name is Romey. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I hold firmly to my faith, knowing that He is our Lord and healer of all illnesses. Jesus strengthens my faith every day, especially during the trials we face here in a Muslim area of the Philippines.

“Recently, I witnessed the incredible power of Jesus when a man named Lang from our community became seriously ill. There are no hospitals or health centres in our area, and Lang’s condition worsened. I encouraged him to believe in Jesus, telling him that if he had faith, he would be healed. At first, he was sceptical because he only saw Isa as a prophet in the Koran. However, that night, I prayed earnestly for him, and he fell into a deep, restful sleep.

“The next morning, Lang was miraculously healed. His strength returned, and he could walk again. Now, he believes in Jesus and joyfully shares his story with others in our community. Even the Imam, who had thought Lang wouldn’t survive, was amazed by this miraculous recovery. I am deeply grateful to our Lord Jesus for the miracles He continues to perform in our area.

“However, our faith in Jesus has brought us difficulties and persecution. The Imam confronted us, questioning why we speak like the non-Muslims. We clarified that we had once followed Islam but now we believe in Jesus because He is the true God.

“Soon after, out of anger, the Imam shot at our homes. We were all terrified, especially the children, who were deeply traumatised by the incident. On another occasion, the Imam again returned with the intent to shoot us. I was with Lang at the time, and we quickly ran inside our house, filled with fear. I told Lang, ‘Let us pray and trust in the Lord, even if he decides to shoot us.’ Miraculously, the Imam, unable to carry out his threat, fired his gun into the sand instead of at our home.

“I continue to praise and thank Jesus for His protection and the strength He gives us. Even the Imam has witnessed the power of Jesus, though he still harbours hostility towards us. The leaders in our area continue to cause us trouble, and we need your prayers now more than ever.”

EXPLORE THE GLOBAL PRAYER GUIDE

Learn about global persecution trends and what it means to follow Christ in restricted and hostile nations.

Learn more

Stay informed

Receive weekly emails with the latest prayer points from the persecuted church

    Pray for them

    Pray that God would grant safety for and courage to the persecuted Christians as they stand firm in their faith amid ongoing trials.

    Ask the Lord to expand His territory in the Philippines, using the believers as witnesses for His Kingdom and bringing more into salvation through Christ.

    Please pray for Romey and the other VOM-supported front-line workers in the area as they minister to believers and proclaim the gospel.

    Recent News

    man with cattles behind him
    NIGERIA: Herdsmen Kill 33 Christians on Christmas Day Read more
    Vietnamese man riding in a bicycle in an alley
    Vietnam: From the Field Read more
    Anglican pastor
    NIGERIA: Anglican Archbishop and Driver Missing Read more

    Submit a Prayer

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Join our community

    @vomaustralia @vomau