On December 10, thirteen believers who converted to Christianity from Buddhism approximately four months earlier were forcibly taken to a pagoda in Rangamati district, Chittagong division, Bangladesh by Buddhist clerics and local council officials, according to a December 18 report from Compass Direct. In an attempt to coerce them to reconvert to Buddhism, the Christians were reportedly pressured into undergoing Buddhist rituals, such as shaving their heads and wearing saffron robes. According to Bangladeshi Christian leaders, believers in this predominantly Buddhist area often face eviction from their homes or bodily harm if they refuse to return to Buddhism.

Pray that these Christians will be released unharmed. Pray that they will cling to God for their strength (Psalm 63:8). Ask God to work in the hearts of those who oppose His followers in this area.

To learn more about how Christians suffer in Bangladesh, go to the Bangladesh Country Report.