Christians in these rural areas often find themselves in the middle of two armed groups fighting each other for territory and for corridors through which to traffic their illicit goods.

The Iranian government “prefers to be destroyed dragging the people with them before giving in”, says a Christian source in the country. “Pray for an integral transformation of the nation”.

Rev. Iftikhar Indryas, founder of the New Covenant Christian School, explains the issues the educational project is facing. He calls to pray for the “spiritual, physical and intellectual well-being” of Pakistani Christians.

In the Chhattisgarh state, villagers attacked the homes of three Christian families, leaving 25 people homeless. Death threats are followed by reconversion rituals.

Far East Broadcasting Company radio signal will be “unblockable by North Korean regime and reach the entire country with the message of Jesus Christ”.

Suspected Fulani herdsmen killed several Christians, kidnapped 19 and burned at least 12 houses throughout Nigeria in May.

The Chelsea striker, along with other players, sponsored an Open Doors event in London. “We have to talk about it [...] I do it to serve Jesus”, he said.

Citing a law that requires authorization for non-Muslim places of worship, authorities in North-central Algeria ordered the closure of the church and its Bible school.

The release of Asia Bibi is “extraordinarily good news”, but blasphemy laws “should be repealed once and for all” to protect faith minorities.

“If Prime Minister Modi wins again, the persecution of Christians in India will continue to grow”, says Vijayesh Lal, General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India. Voting will finish on May 19.

Muslims in-laws pressured women to accuse husbands.

A pastor, two of his sons and three other worshippers died. “Europe must stand united against the persecution of Christians in Africa”, said Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament.

The Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka asks the government “to take all steps necessary to arrest the situation swiftly”. The WEA also calls churches around the world to join in prayer.

A Hindu extremist practice of turning animistic villagers against Christians has intensified in Jharkhand, as general elections are underway through May.

The bombings are the deadliest attack on Christians in South Asia in recent times. The attacks took place almost simultaneously in three Christian temples and luxury hotels.

Prime Minister Imran Khan says a “complication” has delayed the departure of the Christian woman. “She will be leaving in weeks”, he promises.

A two-year investigation showed direct and circumstantial evidence that a pastor and other religious leader were victims of “enforced disappearance by state agents”.

The response to date, and what still needs to be done.

Analysts have detected ties between Muslim Fulani herdsmen and Islamic extremist groups.

Informants can earn up to 10,000 yuan (1,300 Euro) for tips leading to the arrest of non-Chinese religious leaders. The crackdown on unregistered Protestant churches in Southern China intensifies.

Practical steps for strengthening the church.

Churches pray that the tensions caused by the postponement of the presidential election will result in a peaceful political transition.

When we speak about or pray for the persecuted are we exemplifying biblical ethics and the best of the Christian tradition?

It’s better to risk understating the extent and severity of persecution than to risk overstating the problem. What’s at stake is credible religious freedom advocacy.

Christian leaders file suit alleging 1,000 people killed in the past three years. “The affected Christian communities have been completely overwhelmed and are now desolate and devastated”.