It is with tremendous saddness that I share the breaking news that took place in California earlier today.

Four Protestants in Turkmenistan were arrested and fined in late February after police discovered Bibles in their possession. Although the judge initially refused to hear the case against the four Christians, citing a lack of evidence, she later changed her position and fined them for “violation of the law on religious organizations.”

It's been some time since I've asked you to consider praying for a specific restricted nation, and since April is right around the corner, I thought now would be a good time to ask you to consider picking one or a few restricted nations on our Restricted Nations page and praying for them during April.

Every month The Voice of the Martyrs posts special content on our Media page that corresponds to the monthly newsletter. April is right around the corner and the following material is posted because it ties back to the theme in April's newsletter of Scars of Faith. As you consider the video and the suffering taking place in Egypt, please pray for our brothers and sisters who are living under these circumstances.

Last year, you may recall that The Voice of the Martyrs launched our wonderful Persecution Workshop classes that are designed to educate, encourage and equip Christians with an understanding of what is happening with Christians worldwide.

Eleven orphans in Laos who were threatened with expulsion from a government school because of their Christian faith have continued to attend church. They slip away one by one on Sunday mornings and walk to church unnoticed.

Officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) have informed pastor Naim Khoury of Bethlehem’s First Baptist Church that his church lacks the authority to function as a religious institution under the PA. The church can still gather to pray for now, but the PA’s decision, conveyed on Saturday, March 10, will have a real effect on church members.

"All God's plans have the mark of the cross on them and all His plans have death to self in them." ~EM Bounds (1835-1913)

A few days ago it was rumored that Pastor Youcef had been put to death. The Voice of the Martyrs has confirmed that those rumors are not true. Pastor Youcef is still alive and in prison. Please continue to keep him and his family in your prayers.

Fox News is reporting this morning that Congress has passed unanimously House Resolution 556 which is a resolution which condemns Iran's government for sentencing Pastor Youcef to death.