Every time I even hear the word rape, I have to admit that I cringe. I hate the word rape and even more, rape itself, so anytime I read a story about one of my sisters in Christ being persecuted by being raped, I can't help but cry. And yet, we even see rape in the scriptures and it grieves the Lord. This type of violation is horrific and so I urge you to pray for the girl mentioned in this story, even though we do not have her name. Pray for her family, safety, healing and also for her attackers to come to know Christ.

We are praising the Lord for the acquittal of Maryam and Marzieh. Please now pray that they would fully recover from their injuries they received while they were imprisoned and also that the Lord would continue to use them in a mighty way as they declare His name.

They huddled inside the room while hearing the screams of fellow Christians being butchered outside. Pastor Hendrick Pattiwael and his wife were helping to lead the Indonesian youth camp, and they felt responsible for the young people in their care.

Uzbekistan (MNN) ? The oppression facing evangelical churches in Uzbekistan continues to grow, and according to one mission leader, it doesn't appear to be easing any. Reports indicate the pressure is mounting. However, this may be the fuel needed to see church growth explode, says Sergey Rakhuba, Vice President of Russian Ministries.

Our good friends at China Aid are carrying a story from Radio Free Asia about the recent attacks on Christians who were arrested, beaten and then released for their testimony for Christ. Just as we have read in the Scriptures, Christians were imprisoned then and beaten. You may recall these passages from the bible.

Sometimes when I read these stories about Christian persecution, it is so easy to see the spiritual blindness of those who have not yet found Christ as Lord and Savior. Take for example, this story from Compass Direct where they talk about hate speech "from" Christians, and yet they don't call the Hindu's hate speech "against" Christians.

Yesterday we shared with you the controversy at Exeter High School regarding prayer at graduation. Last night there was a 5-0 vote at the school board meeting which is now giving the students an opportunity to vote regarding whether or not there will be a prayer at graduation.

Compass Direct is highlighting a story today that honestly just breaks my heart. In fact, any time I read anything about a teacher and students being abused, it just hurts because children in general should never be abused by any authority.

On May 4, members of the Islamic extremist group al-Shabaab killed an underground church leader in Xarardheere, Mudug region, Somalia, according to Compass Direct News.