Pakistan (MNN) ? Since the murders of two prominent government figures and a Qur'an burning in Florida, persecution has taken a turn for the worse in Pakistan.

Today is the Global Day of Prayer for Turkey and because I know you are all praying folks, I wanted to give you a few of the prayer points that we'd like you to join us in praying for our friends in Turkey.

On Friday we had the blessing to share with you that the Chinese who were taken into custody on April 10th earlier this month, were released. We shared this report from CBN News.

Evangelist Luis Palau made history on April 9 when he preached at the Protestant centennial celebration in Vietnam, becoming the first U.S.-based evangelist to preach at a major event there since the 1975 communist takeover. The 76-year-old evangelist preached on two consecutive nights at the Thanh Long Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, which was not the venue the event organizers had originally sought. Event organizers had planned to hold the event in an open field, but government officials allowed the event only on the condition that it be held in the soccer stadium.

Every Monday I like to begin the week with a portion of the book Extreme Devotion. Today's devotion is very poignant because it challenges me to consider how much love I really have to Christ. Sometimes I read these stories and I think, "I have no faith at all". Other times, I think, "Maybe God will give me the grace if I was ever in this situation."

CBN News is reporting the following about the Chinese Christians taken into custody recently. Thank you Lord for answered prayer!

Evangelist Luis Palau made history on April 9 when he preached at the Protestant centennial celebration in Vietnam, becoming the first U.S.-based evangelist to preach at a major event there since the 1975 communist takeover. The 76-year-old evangelist preached on two consecutive nights at the Thanh Long Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, which was not the venue the event organizers had originally sought. Event organizers had planned to hold the event in an open field, but government officials allowed the event only on the condition that it be held in the soccer stadium.

We have a wonderful God who answers our prayers. Please join VOM in lifting up these needs for this week.

I think it's always good to be a little skeptical of claims when it comes to finding archaeological remains. In this case, I am skeptical, however, I thought this news release was interesting because it's not everyday that you see a story about human remains linked to persecuted Christians.

Iraq (MNN) ? More Christians have been fleeing Iraq in recent months than ever before.