Stories

Christians’ Grief Compounded by Funeral Ban

vomtechsupport — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:07:07 +0000

A Christian couple in a northern province of Laos continues to suffer painful persecution after the unresolved death of their son. On Sunday, Nov. 2, Khong, 22, missed the church service because he was searching for his stolen motorbike. He did not return, and two days later, his body was found in a nearby rice field. No cause of death has been determined. Khong’s parents, Dan and Tee, wanted to bring the body home for a Christian funeral, but the head of their village refused to allow it unless they paid an exorbitant fee. The owner of the land where the body was found has also demanded a cow for a spirit ceremony to cleanse his land. The fines and ongoing threats and demands are compounding the grief Dan and Tee have experienced. Pray for their comfort and encouragement in this difficult time.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Laos and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Dan and Tee on iCommitToPray.com

Pastor’s Son Abducted, Condition Unknown

vomtechsupport — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:07:06 +0000

In December 2024, Adam Amdou, the adult son of a pastor, was kidnapped from his home and his whereabouts are still unknown. The abductors are members of an Islamist terrorist group who were angered that Adam’s father refused to obey their orders to stop his Christian ministry activities. Since Adam’s abduction, his family, including his father, his wife and his two children, have received no word on his condition. They do not know where he is or if he is alive. “His wife and children are receiving some support from local Christians,” said a front-line worker. “But their situation remains very difficult.” The front-line worker asked for prayer for Adam and his family.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Benin and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Adam on iCommitToPray.com

Former Kurdish Soldier’s Life Threatened

vomtechsupport — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:07:03 +0000

A former Kurdish soldier has been threatened for his ministry work after placing his faith in Christ. During the Syrian Civil War, Kochar developed an intense hatred for all Arabs, an emotion that grew as he witnessed fellow Kurdish soldiers and friends die. He also experienced a crisis in his Islamic beliefs as he could not understand why Allah would allow Muslims to fight and kill fellow Muslims. At one point, he left Syria for a visit abroad and met some Christians. They explained the gospel, and Kochar became a follower of Christ. He is no longer a soldier and today says, “I love Arabs.” He works to win their hearts to the Lord, and his life has been repeatedly threatened for his ministry work.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Syria and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Kochar on iCommitToPray.com

NEW YEAR 2026: Encouraging Gatherings, Government Transitions and Praying for Persecuted Christians

vomtechsupport — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 20:09:03 +0000

Aaron Miller, Vice President of International Ministry at The Voice of the Martyrs, looks back to recount changes and transitions he saw during 2025 in places like Syria, Turkmenistan, Tanzania, and Saudi Arabia. He also shares stories of sitting down with fellow believers in hostile areas and restricted nations and how VOM’s work expanded in countries such as Benin, Indonesia, Morocco, and western Nepal.

“In times of transition,” Aaron says, “our staff sees opportunities.” VOM’s field staff is excited by the chance to reach new places, which allows them to learn the needs of our persecuted brothers and sisters, pray for them specifically and find the best ways VOM can serve.

You’ll hear how VOM is facilitating gatherings where pastors and gospel workers meet brothers and sisters doing similar work in other closed countries. These gatherings are opportunities to hear testimonies, pray together and worship the Lord freely with other persecuted Christians.

Listen as Aaron shares sacred sentences written in a letter from an imprisoned pastor thanking VOM for taking care of his wife and children. “I want to thank you for ministering to orphans of living fathers,” the pastor wrote, “ministering to widows of living husbands.”

Hear how you can pray for the specific needs of persecuted Christians, and request your free copy of VOM’s 2026 Global Prayer Guide to help you know how to pray throughout this year for Christians in India, Venezuela, and many more hostile areas and restricted nations.

The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily in 2026 for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria and Bangladesh, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

Listen to this episode on VOMRadio.net

Christian Convert Arrested, Status Unknown

vomtechsupport — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:07:07 +0000

The whereabouts of a Christian convert arrested in Iraq remain unknown. Kazim became a follower of Christ while living abroad. His Iranian wife and their children eventually came to live with him, and they too became Christians. However, the family was unable to establish residency outside Iraq and feared returning to southern Iraq as converts to Christianity. They also didn’t want to move to Iran because Kazim’s in-laws had threatened them after learning of their conversion. The family eventually moved to Iraqi Kurdistan, a safer part of Iraq for Christians. However, Kazim had to return to his hometown to update his children’s identity cards and was quickly arrested there. Front-line workers are concerned about his condition. “I pray for him every night,” said a front-line worker. “And I worry that he might be tortured or may have already been killed.”

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Iraq and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Kazim on iCommitToPray.com

Christian Women Faithful in Hardship

vomtechsupport — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:07:06 +0000

Christians in Nepal are rejected by their families and communities but remain faithful to Christ. Increasingly, pressure to return to traditional Hinduism in the country has grown as the influence of radical Hindu nationalists has crossed the border from India. Sister Rupa, a Nepali Christian, was beaten and cast out of her home for her faith in Christ. Front-line workers are helping her set up a small clothing business that will also serve as a platform to continue sharing the gospel. Sister Roshani was also rejected by her family for following Jesus. Despite hardship, she has continued to share Christ and disciple others. “Her courage is inspiring,” said a front-line worker. Pray for Christians like Rupa and Roshani in Nepal who remain courageous and faithful even at the cost of opposition and rejection.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Nepal and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Christian women in Nepal on iCommitToPray.com

Ministry Brings Hope to Hidi Youth

vomtechsupport — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:07:03 +0000

Boko Haram Islamists have regularly attacked Christian members of the Hidi people in eastern Cameroon, destroying the homes of Christians or killing them. VOM workers have ministered to some of the children and teenagers impacted by the deadly attacks. “If God loves me, why does he allow the rebels in our village to destroy our house, our hospitals and our churches and kill us?” asked one teenage boy. After receiving specialized care, the boy said, “Here I have learned to remind myself [that] whatever happens to me, God loves me.” Front-line workers request prayer for persecuted Christians in Cameroon: “Please pray especially for the Christians that had to leave their villages and are living in [camps for internally displaced people] who have lost hope to always remember that they have a future in Christ.”

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Cameroon and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Christians in Cameroon on iCommitToPray.com

MOVING MOMENTS OF 2025 – PART 2

vomtechsupport — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 20:09:03 +0000

Last week, we began a look back on some of the most moving moments on The Voice of the Martyrs Radio in 2025. This week, we continue to remember:

Nathan and his friends were arrested doing street evangelism in the Middle East. He’ll share his experience in prison, the power of faithful friends, and how the Lord revealed the day of their release.
Brother Miguel from Peru will share where his passion for serving persecuted Christians began and how God gave him a hunger to know more, pray, and share their powerful stories with more people through radio and TV.
Michael & Mona share what it looks like to be a Christian in North Africa, where they are often treated as second-class citizens. Yet Mona says she loves the Muslim people who are victims of a false religion.
Kevin works among people trapped in fear-based animistic practices in Southeast Asia. He’ll share how gospel workers combat that fear with the love of Christ.
Hana Menghisteab returned to tell how sharing her story for the first time on VOM Radio in 2024 was a breakthrough, helping her acknowledge deep wounds and opening her heart to God’s healing touch.
Dr. Yousaf Sadiq told us about growing up in a Christian family in Pakistan and how God ministered to him through Psalms sung in the Punjabi language.
Brother Samuel grew up in a Muslim family in Malaysia. He first heard the gospel helping translate the JESUS film. Today, he faces persecution as he tries to change his government-issued ID card to reflect his faith in Christ.
Susanna Koh, wife of abducted Pastor Raymond Koh, shares how she trusts the Lord despite the unknown, and how God asked her to put feet to her forgiveness.
Sister Neda grew up as a Muslim in Iran. On the outside she appeared to have it all, yet inside she was broken. Listen to hear how she called out to God and He answered.

After hearing these brief excerpts, you’ll want to listen to the entire conversations with each of these guests. Click the links below or listen in the VOM APP.

We thank the Lord for allowing VOM Radio to encourage and challenge listeners all over the world this year. Thank you for listening and praying for our persecuted family in restricted nations and hostile areas around the world during 2025!

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know what conversation in 2025 most inspired your faith or equipped you to pray. You can also give online to support persecuted Christians through the work of The Voice of the Martyrs.

Join us in 2026 for another year of testimonies about what God is doing in and through our persecuted brothers and sisters and hear how you can pray specifically for them throughout the year!

Listen to this episode on VOMRadio.net

Threats at Christmas

vomtechsupport — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 08:07:07 +0000

Due to increasing threats from Islamist rebel groups following a military coup in July 2023, Christians in Niger are taking extra precautions during the Christmas season. “It’s very dangerous,” said a Christian leader. “Actually, we are stopping celebrating in the night.” Previously, Christians would hold evening services, and young church members would sing Christmas songs through the streets before celebrating in homes. The Nigerien church leader added that, in the past, their Muslim neighbors would often wish them a happy Christmas. Now, however, Muslim neighbors are told it is a sin to say, “Merry Christmas.” He added that one Christian community had been planning to conduct a free medical clinic in their town, but now officials are demanding bribes for permission. The leader said, “We are going to talk to God, and he’ll find a way for these innocent people to be treated and see the love of Jesus.”

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Niger and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for Christians in Niger on iCommitToPray.com

Christian Mother, Daughters Forced from Home

vomtechsupport — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 08:07:06 +0000

A mother and her two daughters have been forced from their home because of their Christian faith. Rasha became a follower of Christ in early 2025. She began sharing the gospel with her mother, Laila, and her younger teenage sister, Asman, soon afterwards. They both came to faith in Christ, and the three women committed to a Bible reading plan. In August 2025, Rasha’s father discovered her Bible. He harshly interrogated her, and when Rasha would not renounce her new faith, he beat her. Then, when Rasha’s father learned that his wife and younger daughter had also become Christians, he kicked all three women out of their home. Front-line workers are helping these women find a safe place to live and supporting them as they grow in their faith.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Yemen and learn how to pray.

Post a prayer for mother and her two daughters on iCommitToPray.com