The crime - sharing the gospel. The punishment - possible torture. Could you stand? Would you stand for Christ this way if you know bodily persecution was going to happen?

Usually we highlight our The Voice of the Martyrs podcast on Friday, but last week we had so much other news that we didn't. So, why not Wednesday right?

We have been following what has been happening in China especially with Shouwang Church in Beijing where Christian persecution has increased in recent weeks and months.

Mark Granquist has written a very sobering oped at the Star Tribune that I want to commend to you all to read. Mark hits the nail on the head and tells it how it really is concerning Christian persecution. Click here to read his oped. Here's an excerpt:

The Chinese government enacted new regulations this week in a further attempt to control its growing Christian population.

The power of prayer is the greatest power the Lord has given the Christian. Please use that power today and pray for the following prayer needs.

Yesterday on our The Voice of the Martyrs Facebook page, we posted a new video of Asia Bibi's daughters talking about their recent visit to see their mother.

We would like to thank those of you who prayed for and even wrote Yang Caizhen while she was in prison. We are happy to share that she is now out of prison, but she was released in very poor health.