Thank you for taking the time to continue to pray for Asia Bibi as she awaits a decision concerning whether or not she'll be put to death by hanging for allegedly blaspheming Islam's prophet Muhammad.

In case you missed last weeks Persecution Podcast, I wanted to encourage you to click on over and listen. David and Dory touch on what's happening in Sudan, Yeman and Iran.

One of the things I've noticed about the people at my church who I try to talk about Christian persecution, is that they get uncomfortable, they sometimes walk away, some say they pray, but really most are completely ignorant of what is really happening to Christians worldwide, which is why on my Facebook page I have started to daily post about Christians I know are being persecuted by name.

An Egyptian court has sentenced a man to death for killing six Coptic Christians and a Muslim policeman in January 2010. Mohamed Ahmed Hussein was found guilty of premeditated murder for his role in a drive-by shooting outside a church in Nag Hamadi, in southern Egypt. VOM assisted some of the Nag Hamadi victims with medical care and recovery.

Our good friends at Mission Network News are reporting that at least 70 Christians have been arrested in Iran since Christmas.

He’d heard the rumors. In fact, Thomas had heard it directly from other disciples who had seen the Master alive. At least that’s what they had said. “When I see his hands and put my fingers into the nail holes, when I put my hand into the hole in his side made by that Roman spear, then I’ll believe he is risen,” Thomas had said.

Since Christmas, more than 70 Christians have been arrested in Iran in a large, well-coordinated strike. Most of those arrested belong to the house church movement. Many were released from custody, but a dozen or more remain in detention. Those charged with trying to convert Muslims face the possibility of a death sentence. Officials say that more detentions are possible, and Tehran’s governor said in a recent speech that evangelicals are “corrupt and deviant.”

In other news concerning Asia Bibi, the Hellenic News of America website is reporting that there are many Muslims who are demanding the death of Asia and any other person who blasphemes Muhammad.