This is the day I link with Angie at Free Spirit Haven to share prayer requests and lift up others burdens.

Please pray for the following:

Featured Prisoner – Gao Zhisheng

• Location: China
• Arrested: February 2009
• Days Imprisoned: 83

On Feb. 4, Gao Zhisheng, was abducted by Chinese secret police from his hometown. Since 2005, Gao has been repeatedly arrested, imprisoned and severely tortured by Chinese authorities, mostly for his work defending Chinese Christians. In 2006, he and a group of prominent human rights lawyers created the Association of Human Rights Attorneys for Chinese Christians. In 2007, he was arrested and spent over 50 days behind bars where he was tortured. “I was beaten so badly that my whole body began shaking uncontrollably on the floor,” Gao writes of his torture in an open letter.

On March 20, a VOM contact received a phone call from a Khmu pastor in Laos requesting prayer. Government officials had arrived at the pastor’s village and proceeded to tear down the bamboo church the pastor and his congregation had built. The Khmu Christians had relocated to this area because the Laotian government has repeatedly evicted them. “We all watched with tears, unable to do anything because they said we built this church illegally, without being approved by them,” the pastor said. “Please pray for us.” The church consists of about 170 people.

In December 2008, the government tore down a bamboo church and arrested three Khmu Christian leaders, who were released three days later when a large group of Khmu Christians went to the prison to petition their release. These Christians were forced to relocate to the village where the bamboo church was recently destroyed.

Continued Persecution

• Date: April 21, 2009
• Country: Laos

According to our VOM contact, the Laotian government has always regarded Christianity as a foreign, American religion. Until they understand what Christianity is about, Christian beliefs and values, tension will exist between Christians in Laos and the Communist government.
Pray the Holy Spirit will convict Laotian government officials so their hearts will be softened toward Christians. Bind the power of Satan who has blinded their minds, to the light of the gospel and the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4).
Pray for the Khmu Christians, who are well-acquainted with suffering. May the Lord enable them to continue to stand firm in their resolve to follow Christ, regardless of the cost.
VOM assists Christians in Laos by providing Bibles, Christian radio broadcasts, skills training and support for pastors, among other things.

Thanks friends! Also, please remember to pray for the following children/families: