This Sunday churches around the world will be praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters as part of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Many of those churches will share the story of Suta, a story that reminds us to pray not only for persecuted Christians, but for their persecutors as well.

I recently returned from an iCommit conference hosted in the state of Washington. While there I heard a young man named Gilbert Hovsepain share his testimony. Gilbert is one of the sons of Rev. Haik Hovsepian, who was martyred in 1994 in Iran. The documentary A Cry From Iran , tells the story of Rev. Haik and his family.

VOM workers met “Michael,” a Christian convert from Islam, during a recent VOM-sponsored event. He was very well known as a Muslim, and after accepting Christ and beginning to challenge other Muslims about their faith, his father repeatedly threatened him. During the event, Michael stood at the podium for about 20 minutes, “singing to God and testifying of His goodness.” On the day of the event, Michael’s wife also placed her faith in Christ. Pray for Michael and other Christian converts from Islam who face persecution for their faith.

I have been reading the Book of Acts and read, again, the story of Saul’s conversation in Acts, chapter 9. I am always struck by how soon after Saul met Jesus that people were trying to kill him!

It is the fourth week of Ramadan, and Muslims around the world are fasting and praying. Muslims are required to cease eating and drinking from dawn until dusk. Only those who are traveling or who are sick are exempt from the requirement of fasting during this time.

We have been following the case of two pastors in Sudan who are currently on trial and could, if convicted, face the death penalty. Earlier this week VOM's Todd Nettleton did an interview with Mission Network News about the case.

At least 17 people were killed April 11 in Aleppo, Syria, when rebels from al-Nusra Front launched missiles into a Christian neighborhood.

While in Iraq recently, I was pleased to meet several Christians who are serving their neighbors, even in the midst of their own personal suffering. These “Jesus followers” have lost almost everything that this world values, and they continue to boldly proclaim their faith. They shine brightly in a place that has been darkened by loss, sorrow and hopelessness.