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Le Thi Cong Nhan, a Christian prisoner of conscience who had called for democratic freedoms in Vietnam, was released earlier this month after serving a three-year sentence for "propagandizing to destroy the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" (click here for more information). Attorney Cong Nhan's sentence had been reduced by one year after an international outcry over her sentencing. She was released on March 6. Now serving an additional three-year house arrest sentence, Cong Nhan has stated that she has no intention of giving up her struggle for a just and free Vietnam and accepts that there may be a further price to pay. While in prison, she went on a hunger strike two times when authorities took her Bible away from her. (Source: Compass Direct)

Thank the Lord that Cong Nhan has been released from prison. Pray that she will look to Christ for strength and grace as she faces three years of house arrest. Pray that other Christians in Vietnam will raise a voice for justice and freedom in the country.

For more information on the plight of Vietnamese believers, go to theVietnam Country Report.

Fr. Nguyen Van Ly Photo from AsiaNews

Thank the Lord that Father Van Ly has been temporarily released. Pray for his renewed health and strength. Pray that he will not have to return to prison and that the false charges placed against him will be dropped. Pray for other Vietnamese Christians languishing in prison.

Click here for more information about persecution in Vietnam.

Sung Cua Po Photo from Compass Direct

A Christian couple from Ho Co village, Vietnam -- Sung Cua Po and Hang thi Va -- has endured physical abuse and threats since Sung converted to Christianity in November 2009. On December 1, the couple was arrested and beaten by officials after police earlier incited locals to abuse and stone them and other Christian families. Officials reportedly struck Sung 70 times on his head and back. Afterwards, the believers were fined 8 million dong (approximately $450 CAD) and a pig weighing at least 16 kilos. Sung's cell phone and motorbike were also confiscated.

On December 15, police took the couple to members of their extended family who severely pressured them to deny their Christian faith. When police threatened to beat Sung to death and seize his property, which would leave his family destitute, he signed recantation documents. He has since been subjected to further pressure from authorities, his family and clan members. Sung is scheduled to prove his reconversion on February 13 by offering sacrifices to ancestors. (Source: Compass Direct)

Ask God to equip Sung by His Holy Spirit to remain strong in his faith despite severe pressure and threats. Pray for protection for Sung, Hang and their children, as well as the other Christian families in their community. Pray that Vietnam will respect religious freedom for all its citizens.

To find out more about the persecution Christians endure in Vietnam, check out theVietnam Country Report.

Father Nguyen Van Ly (63), who suffered a severe stroke on November 14 (click here for more), was sent back to a Vietnamese prison on December 12 after several weeks of treatment in a hospital. According to Father Van Ly's sister, "His situation is a bit better now, but his life is not normal yet. We don't know why they decided to transfer him back to prison, as he still needs help." At last report, he was half-paralyzed on the right side of his body and was only able to walk a few steps with a walking stick. (Source: AFP)

Pray for continued healing for Father Van Ly in prison. Pray that he will be released from detention. Ask God to give him the strength in his weakened condition to continue showing Christ's love to others.

Learn more about the plight of Vietnamese Christians at theVietnam Country Report.

Father Nguyen Van Ly (63), who was sentenced to eight years in prison in March 2007 (click here for more information), recently suffered a severe stroke. He was admitted to the military hospital in Hanoi. At last report, he was semi-paralyzed but was conscious and able to speak. Family members report that he is being treated well. (Source: AsiaNews)

Pray that Father Van Ly will have a full recovery. Pray for strength for his loved ones at this time.

Learn more about the persecution of Veitnamese Christians; visit the Vietnam Country Report.

Members of the Tam Toa parish in Dong Hoi, Vietnam who were attacked for building a tent to use for worship services on July 20, 2009 and subsequently detained (click here for more information) have been released, according to a September 8 report from AsiaNews. Several of the believers remain traumatized as a result of the attack and in need of medical treatment. The church belongings confiscated by authorities during the violence have not been returned in full.

To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Vietnam,click here.

Police and government officials raided several house churches in Vietnam in recent weeks, according to an August 6 report from Compass Direct.

On July 26, four police officers and two government officials raided a house church in Tran Phu Commune in Hanoi and announced that it was illegal to worship and teach religion. When the believers, who had previously attempted to register the church, refused to sign a document admitting they were meeting illegally, a police officer told them, "If I find you meeting here next Sunday, I will kill you all like I'd kill a dog!"

Pastor Mai Hong Sanh of the Vietnam Good News Mission Church in the town of Ea Hleo, Dak Lak Province, was sentenced on July 31 to three months of "local re-education" for expanding his house and giving religious training without permission. Pastor Mai was not permitted to defend himself in court and authorities arranged for people to testify against him who were allegedly members of another church.

Approximately 15 police officers wielding batons and electric prods barged into a house church on August 2 in Xuan Thoi Thuong Commune in Ho Chi Minh City and demanded the Christians leave immediately. The leader of the house church, Nguyen Van Chinh, had previously attempted to register the church but was told that he must permanently cease their meetings.

Pray that Christians in Vietnam will remain true to Christ in the midst of pressure and oppression. Pray that those who oppose Christians in Vietnam will turn to faith in Jesus and become demonstrations of God's love and mercy to others (1 Timothy 1:16).

To find out more about Vietnam's suffering Christians,click here.

Father Peter being treated in hospital Photo from AsiaNews

Fresh violence erupted against members of the Tam Toa parish in the city of Dong Hoi, Vietnam over a building at the centre of a land dispute between authorities and local Christians (click here for details). On July 26, Father Paul Dinh Phu Nguyen was attacked by a mob, including plain-clothed police, on his way to celebrate mass at Tam Toa. He was later visited in hospital by Father Peter Nguyen The Binh, who was beaten and thrown from the second floor of the hospital by assailants who were allegedly acting on police instructions. Binh remained in a coma at last report.

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

The contested Tam Toa building

The Christians of Tam Toa parish have attended open-air services on the church compound or gathered in local homes since the end of the Vietnam War, when their church building was badly damaged. In 1996, the People's Committee of Quang Binh province confiscated the site and declared that it would become a memorial site. However, local Christians insist that the property belongs to the church.

Pray for healing for those injured. Pray that those in detention will be released. Pray that religious freedom will be recognized and justly upheld in Vietnam.

To find out more about the plight of Vietnamese believers,click here.

On April 25, a Christian man, Koua Lo, was beaten in Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province, northwest Vietnam by a local man angered by Koua's conversion to Christianity, according to a May 11 report from Compass Direct. Koua sustained severe head injuries and remained critically injured at last report. The assailant, Lao Lia Po, is still at large and has not been charged. Lao previously attacked his own mother on February 3 because of her Christian faith, killing her by smashing her head in. Police only held him overnight before releasing him without charge. The next day he issued death threats against other local Christians.

The approximately 100 Christian families in the area have reportedly suffered repeated harassment and abuse for their faith. The government is often complicit in attacks or else turns a blind eye to the mistreatment of believers.

Ask God to give healing and strength to Koua. Pray that Loa will come to repentance and find salvation in Christ. Pray that Christians in Vietnam will continue to put their hope in the Lord as the One who upholds their cause (Psalm 146).

Learn more about the plight Christians face in Vietnam.