Release International

As we prepare to mark the death and resurrection of Jesus, we invite you to remember Christians suffering in His name this Easter.

We also want to thank you for your persistent prayers on behalf of persecuted Christians worldwide – and to remind you that 'the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective' (James 15:16).

We have no doubt that your prayers have helped to bring breakthrough and ease suffering in many seemingly impossible situations.

Since the new year, we have celebrated the release of Uzbek pastor Dmitry Shestakov who had been imprisoned for 'illegal religious activities' (Prayer Alert, January 28, 2011). Pastor Dmitry, who was freed on January 21 after serving a four-year sentence, still faces severe restrictions – so he and his family still need our prayers.

Afghan Christian Said Musa, who faced a possible death sentence for apostasy (Prayer Alert, December 17, 2010), was freed in February. He was quietly granted asylum in Europe – after nine months in jail in Kabul during which he suffered torture and abuse.

And in Sudan, where a brutal civil war divided north and south along ethnic and religious lines, the transition towards an independent South Sudan has so far been peaceful. January's referendum on whether the south should secede was approved internationally as free and fair. The next focus for prayer is July 9 – when South Sudan officially becomes an independent nation.

There are, however, many situations around the world that require ongoing prayer. Many Christian prisoners of faith remain in detention despite fervent prayer and advocacy. It is now two years since Beijing lawyer Gao Zhisheng was seized – apparently for his religious rights work – and his family has had no contact with him, apart from during his brief reappearance in April 2010.

Another high-profile Christian lawyer, Jiang Tianyong, who has worked tirelessly for religious freedom in China, was seized on February 19. Officials have refused to tell his family where he is or what he is charged with (Prisoners of Faith Alert, April 2011). And appeal judges recently upheld the 15-year sentence being served by Uyghur pastor Alimjan Yimit for 'instigating separatism and revealing state secrets to foreigners'.

In Pakistan, Punjabi Christian Asia Bibi remains on death row for blasphemy, pending an appeal. Release partners confirm reports that she has been receiving treatment for chicken pox (Prayer Alert, April 14, 2011).

Meanwhile, in some countries, Christians continue to suffer frequent, sometimes systematic, persecution. In North Korea, for example, the focus of Release's campaigning this year, Christians can be jailed simply for owning a Bible. In Nigerian states such as Plateau, Christians are suffering frequent violence – and continue to plead for greater protection from the authorities.

And in India, Hindu extremists frequently attack Christians – both physically and with accusations of forcible conversion.

On behalf of the persecuted church worldwide, including the many persecuted Christians not listed here, we thank you for your continued prayers.

(Sources: BBC, China Aid, Open Doors, Release sources)

Act
• Find out more about how you can get involved in our One Day campaign for North Korea. Visit www.releaseinternational.org/current
Pray
• As we celebrate Christ's resurrection, let's thank God that the power of His Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave lives in us (Romans 8:11). And let's call on that same Spirit as we pray for persecuted Christians.
• Pray for Christians across the world who are sharing in Christ's sufferings this Easter. Pray that they will truly know that theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10).

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