Iran (MNN) ? Reports of the imminent execution of Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani are now being countered by news of delay.

A few weeks ago we shared with you our goal to write Gao Zhisheng 5000 letters and I'm very encouraged and happy to share with you that we are so close to reaching that goal. As of today, February 28th, we only need 251 more letters written. In the last few weeks you've written 165 more letters to Gao and I want to thank you so much for taking action. You're the best!

Boko Haram terrorists bombed a large church in Jos on Sunday, killing a church member and a baby, along with themselves. Church security guards prevented the suicide bombers from reaching the church auditorium, where a service was in progress. Claiming responsibility for the attack, a Boko Haram spokesman said, “We have just started.”

Many of you have asked if we know of anything new about what is happening with Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, and right now the only thing we can share with you is that it is being reported by the Israel National News that the execution of Pastor Youcef has been temporarily put off. The Voice of the Martyrs has not yet confirmed this report. However, here is the most up to date information we have from the Israel National News article. Please keep praying for Pastor Youcef and his wife and children, as well as those who are making the decisions concerning his case.

Journalist and Christian activist Li Ying was released from prison in China on Dec. 25, 2011, just three years shy of completing a 15-year sentence she received because of her work on an underground Christian magazine. Li was arrested in April 2001 along with 16 others from the South China Church.

I love starting my week with you! I also love starting the week by sharing a devotion from the best selling book Extreme Devotion. As you read this wonderful devotional story today, consider how you can encourage someone like the Pastor did in this story. Click here to buy the book Extreme Devotion.

The following is the statement from the White House concerning Pastor Youcef.

Please take some time today to pray for this weeks prayer requests. Please also share them with your friends, family and church leaders.

Protestant pastor Ilmurad Nurliev was released from prison on Feb. 18 as part of the president’s “Flag Day” amnesty, in which about 230 prisoners were freed. Pastor Nurliev’s wife, Maya, and other family members greeted him as he arrived on a train from the Seydi labor camp with other pardoned prisoners.