In a historic move, key organizations that work with the persecuted church around the world launched a global campaign calling for prayer for China. In what is called "The Zurich Statement," the Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP), with member organizations that include Open Doors International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, The Voice of the Martyrs (Canada), and the Religious Liberty Commission of World Evangelical Alliance, has called the worldwide Christian community to pray for China during this Summer Olympics year.

The Zurich Statement acknowledges some important progress made in China over the past few decades and raises the hope that this will translate into the removal of remaining obstacles to the full expression of faith and an end to serious violations of religious freedom. In addition, the Statement recognizes potential of the Chinese nation as a significant political and economic force for the furtherance of regional and global peace.

To download a copy of The Zurich Statement, click here.

Urmila's mother, Hirawa Saket Photo from Compass Direct

Pray for the healing for Urmila and her injured family members. Pray that, in their sufferings, they will find strength in Christ (2 Cor. 1:3-5).

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

Peerzada Shakeel Photo from GCIC

Shakeel and his wife were arrested and taken to a police station at Sonwar, Srinagar. Although the couple was released on bail the following day, they remain under house arrest. Shakeel has faced severe opposition from his family and community since he became a Christian in 2006.

Pray that Shakeel and Arifa will not give in to fear but be enabled by God to stand in His grace and remain faithful in the face of societal rejection and hostility for their Christian faith (1 Peter 5:10-12).

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

A United Methodist congregation in the city of Smolensk was dissolved by the regional court on March 24 in response to a suit filed by the Regional Public Prosecutor's Office protesting the church having a Sunday school program, according to a March 26 report from Forum 18. The court agreed with the Regional Organized Crime Police's assertion that the Smolensk United Methodist Church was breaking the law by conducting "educational activity in a Sunday school without a corresponding license."

While the court's decision to dissolve the church means loss of legal status rather than a complete ban, it does bar the Methodists from maintaining or developing any form of public profile as an organization.

Pray that the religious rights of this church will be recognized. Pray that the congregation will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the opposition they face (James 1:2-4).

For more information on some of the difficulties facing Christians in Russia, click here.

Farzana Photo from Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan

No formal charge has been issued against Farzana and there is no evidence to indicate her guilt. However, it is common in Pakistan for Muslim employers to falsely accuse Christians of crimes, particularly young Christian girls who
are forced to work as house servants.

Pray that the Lord will strengthen and comfort Farzana, providing for her every need (Phil. 4:19). Pray for God's love and grace to abound in her and her family members as they suffer for the sake of their beliefs.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Pakistan, click here.

In mid-February, an Egyptian court ruled that 12 Christians who converted to Islam and then reconverted to Christianity can have their faith officially recognized (click here for more information). On March 4, however, a senior judge appealed the High Administrative Court's ruling and asked them to review the constitutionality of a law granting citizens the right to change religions, according to a March 26 report from Compass Direct. The 12 have also been blocked from obtaining documents listing their change of faith. Government officials recently refused to give one of the 12 a card that recognizes his Christian faith by claiming that their computerized system could only enter one word in the religion section. The February court ruling, however, stipulated that he and the other 11 could obtain cards that stated: "Christian, previously proclaimed Islam as his/her religion."

Last week, Algerian authorities ordered more churches to cease activity, according to a March 28 report from Compass Direct. Three churches, registered under the Protestant Church of Algeria, and two independent congregations were ordered to close their doors. Congregations in Ait Amar, Ait Djemaa, Bachloul, Boughni, Ouargla, Tiaret and Tizi Ouzou are among the churches closed. A total of 19 churches have been closed in the nation since November.

Please continue to pray for the Body of Christ in Algeria as it faces ongoing opposition for His Name. More details on the closure of churches in Algeria are available through Algeria's Country Report.

Don't miss VOMC's Western Canada Persecuted Church Prayer in Edmonton, Alberta this Saturday. Special guests include two African choirs from Eritrea and Nigeria and Dr. John, the director of a VOMC partner ministry, who will share how the light of Christ is being shone through suffering believers in India. Kevin Kisilowsky, a Manitoba marriage commissioner who is fighting for the right not to perform same sex marriages because of his Christian beliefs, will also give his testimony. Plus, staff from The Voice of the Martyrs will report on VOMC's work around the world with the Persecuted Church. You will be blessed if you come! For more information, click here.

Be sure to check out the April edition of VOMC's monthly webcast, The Persecution Report. This month's report features up-to-date news, interviews and testimonies from around the world including Algeria, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. The Persecution Report is available on either VOMC's home page or on our multimedia website, www.persecution.tv. If you have a website, consider adding The Persecution Report as a way of raising a voice for the persecuted. For more information, visit the Persecution Report's links page or contact our webmaster.