Sadly, one of the many ways Christians are persecuted is not only when they are arrested but then how badly they are often treated while in prison.

We've written on this blog before numerous times about the suffering a woman endures when she is raped. In my many years as a therapist, I counseled numerous women who have been raped. Rape is no joking matter. Even in the bible when Joseph was accused of rape - even then, not a joking matter. So when we have a story of a Christian mother of five children who is saying she's been raped, I tend to believe her.

The following news is from Compass Direct about the Messianic Jews in Israel coming under attack from those who do not want them around. Since the Messianic Jewish community has grown tremendously in the last few years, this is of concern. Please pray for all of those in Israel, Psalm 122:6 and for those Jews who are now being persecuted because they follow Jesus the Christ, as their Messiah.

MEXICO CITY, September 16 (CDN) — About 70 Protestant Christians lived in the village of San Rafael Tlanalapan, Puebla state, until Monday (Sept. 12), when they faced a frightening ultimatum – leave immediately or be “crucified or lynched.” Traditionalist Catholics in the village, near the municipality of San Martín Texmelucan about 60 miles from Mexico City, reportedly threatened to burn down or otherwise destroy their homes. The Protestants left. The traditionalist Catholics, who practice a blend of indigenous and Catholic rituals, reportedly asserted that 20 years ago an assistant village president had vowed that no temple of any non-Catholic faith would ever be permitted in San Rafael Tlanalapan. Protestants in Puebla, Hidalgo, Chiapas and other states sometimes refuse to help pay for and participate in traditionalist Catholic festivals, which often include drunken revelry and what they regard as idolatrous adoration of saints. In 2006, the Protestants in San Rafael Tlanalapan asked for government help after Catholics led village authorities to cut off their water supply.

Laos (MNN) ? Eleven Laotian orphans could have the few things they possess ripped out from under them if they continue going to church.

Did you know that The Voice of the Martyrs has a podcast that you can subscribe to in iTunes and by RSS feed? If not, all you have to do is go to http://www.persecutionpodcast.com and look to your right and you'll see how you can subscribe. (Hint: the graphic in this blog post is what you need to look for, just click those icons when you visit the persecutionpodcast.com page)

In our ongoing effort to alert you to the suffering of Christians in prison, every Tuesday we've been highlighting a Christian who is in prison for their faith. Last week we highlighted Asia Bibi who has been in prison since 2009. I'm very happy to share with you that 126 new letters were written last week to Asia! Praise the Lord for you who took the time to encourage Asia.