Prayer and Praise for This Week

Do animals pray? Or do their owners just make them look like it :), well, I thought this cute picture would get your attention as we bring to you today a few prayer requests from The Voice of the Martyrs Canada.

Authorities destroy historic Christian building in Vietnam

On September 19, government authorities bulldozed a building in Hanoi, Vietnam after a long-standing land dispute between Christians and officials, according to a September 26 report from Compass Direct. The building, which once served as the Vatican embassy and residence, was seized in the mid-1950s by the government. Late last year, Christians began holding prayer vigils and protests in response to the government's refusal to give back the land. In February, government leaders promised to negotiate a settlement with the believers over the property on the condition that the prayer vigils ceased. The government took no action, however, and Christians resumed the vigils in August. Christian leaders are calling the government's response to the believer's peaceful protests a serious setback to the religious freedom in Vietnam. Authorities are reportedly planning to use the leveled premises for a library and park.

Pray for the government to change its mind and act justly in this situation. Pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen Christians in Vietnam in their hearts, minds, and bodies as they face opposition to their faith.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, go to www.persecution.net/vietnam.htm.
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And we have a praise report also!

Update: Iranian Christians released

Iranian Christians Mahmood Matin-Azad and Arash Basirat have been released, according to a September 30 report from Adn Kronos International. Azad and Basirat were arrested on May 15 (see www.persecution.net/ir-2008-07-16.htm), but the tribunal has ruled that the charges brought against them are invalid. Azad and Basirat are the first two Christians to be released after a trial. On other occasions, Iranian converts were typically released after a few weeks or months in jail.

A law presently working its way through the Iranian parliament that would mandate the death penalty as punishment for apostasy is currently still under review by the Council of Guardians.