By the time I leave for work, I’ve used nearly 20 gallons of water between a shower, brushing my teeth, and preparing breakfast and coffee. Last week began with World Water Day (Sunday, March 22), and I invite you to consider the ways you depend on water each day and how this unites you with others around the world who depend on Jesus Christ as our living water.

In the current episode of VOMRadio, Tom Doyle, author of a new book about Christians facing persecution in the Middle East, tells us that, in spite of the advance of Islamic State, God is changing the hearts of people in the region as Christians continue to boldly share the gospel message in spite of the risks and violence.

“If they want all three of our kids,” said Tawadros’ widow, Malaka, “it isn’t too much [to give] for Christ.”

With the rise of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in 2014, and many terrorist killings already this year, it can be easy to focus on the negative. Instead, several Iranian Christian leaders worked together to share eight reasons why Muslims, particularly in Iran, are being drawn to Christianity more than ever before.

Martin and Gracia Burnham were serving as missionaries in the Philippines when they went away for a few days together to celebrate their anniversary. Those few days turned into a year in the jungle when they were kidnapped by radical Muslim terrorists. Listen to this exclusive VOMRadio interview as Gracia tells how she wrestled with God and even with her own faith during those dark days of captivity, and how she experienced the prayers of God’s people, even as Martin was killed during a rescue attempt. Gracia bears witness to God’s faithfulness to the Burnhams and their children. Her story challenges each of us to glorify God regardless of what trials we may be facing.

Those living in freedom can be lulled into lethargy. The church in the free world is losing its passion for evangelism and for participation in the public square in conversation with society. It has either lost confidence or conviction to proclaim the faith publically, or it has withdrawn into its shell and agreed with those who think that faith is primarily an individual activity that has no relationship to public life.

Yesterday, I was part of a VOM delegation delivering Call For Mercy petition names to the Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC. It was an honor to represent so many American Christians who have prayed for Asia Bibi and her family, and who have added their voices at www.CallForMercy.com, asking the Pakistani government to let this Christian wife and mother out of prison and return her home to her husband and daughters.

On the last Sunday in January, Christians in the ancient Syrian village of Tel Hormizd removed a cross from their church, but not by choice. They were forced to abandon their Christian identity by Islamic State (IS) militants, who had also kidnapped and killed hundreds of Christians.

Today is St. Patrick’s Day, a day Americans focus on good luck and all things Irish. But most of those celebrating don't know that the man for whom this day is named was a Christian persecuted because of his Christian actions.