Burned churches in Burma; Iranian pastors imprisoned

Kachin State (red) (Wikipedia)

BURMA – The Kachin Baptist Convention reports that Burma’s military has burned down 66 church buildings in Kachin state since June 2011. Troops have also assaulted 64 Christian women and girls in 30 incidents. Half of those women raped were killed afterward. Ask the Lord to grant these suffering Christians in Myanmar greatly needed strength and protection. In the midst of these seemingly insurmountable trials and times of chaos, may they be encouraged of His unfailing love, faithfulness and ability to provide divine intervention, healing and restoration. Also pray that He will work mightily in the hearts and minds of the perpetrators, including all those in authority. Source: VOM

IRAN - Please continue to pray for Pastor Behnam Irani, who is presently in Iran's Ghezal Hesar prison. Despite his deteriorating health and ongoing weight loss, prison authorities are withholding proper medical assistance. During his imprisonment, Pastor Behnam has suffered from acute back pain (now unable to walk), vision difficulties, and internal bleeding, among other health concerns. He has been subjected to physical and psychological pressure, and has sustained regular beatings from his cell mates and prison authorities, as well as death threats. Source: VOM

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and boys (Robert Reed Daly)

IRAN - Despite reports that Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani may have been hanged by authorities for his faith, multiple ministries with sources inside Iran have confirmed he is still alive. Pictures purporting to show a man being hanged are being attributed as evidence of the pastor's death, but the man in the photos is not Pastor Nadarkhani. A court in Rasht acquitted Nadarkhani of apostasy on Sept. 8, 2012, but sentenced him to three years for evangelizing Muslims. Since he had already spent close to three years in Lakan Prison, Nadarkhani was released after posting bail. However, he was returned to prison again on Dec. 25 on the orders of prison authorities, and released again on Jan. 7. Source: CSW, ACLJ, Present Truth

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."-- Psalm 82:3-4 (NIV)

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