At approximately 8:40 a.m. on May 23, a bomb exploded inside the Assumption Catholic Church in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, killing two Christians and injuring at least a dozen others. Approximately 400 Christians were inside the building at the time of the blast. Fifteen-year-old Celeste Joseph was killed instantly. A 30-year-old woman, Deepa Patrick, was seriously injured and later died in hospital. A pamphlet was found on scene from the National Defence Army, a terrorist group that wants Hinduism restored as the state religion.

Pray for those mourning the loss of Celeste and Deepa. Pray for healing for those injured. Ask God to enable Nepalese Christians to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer as they suffer for Him (Romans 12:12).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Nepal, click here.