We really need to lift up our brothers and sisters in Vietnam right now. There are many ethnic minorities located all over southeast Asia, the Hmong being one of them, and we prayed for those in Laos a a few days ago. Now, Hmong in Vietnam are facing persecution and pressure from the government to recant their faith in Jesus and return to animistic worship, which is worshiping trees, nature, spirits... things like that. Even though in 2004 the government created a law that made it illegal to make someone recant their faith, the government published a booklet in 2006 that explained how to make hilltribes leave Christianity and return to their old religions. Recently, authorities have been sent to North Vietnam to try to force new Hmong Christians to become animists again. They were threatened to not receive any government services, which for very poor Hmong could be really bad. This still didn't cause the Christians to leave Jesus, so, "the officials threatened to drive the Christians from their homes and fields, harm them physically and put them in prison." We've been going through Hebrews on Sundays, and this is a lot similiar to the Hebrew Christians problems. They were facing persecution, and it seemed easier to go back to their old ways to stop being persecuted. If these Hmong Christians leave Jesus and become animist again, they will be safe and unharmed. But, as we've learned, JESUS IS BETTER!
Please pray that:
- The Lord would encourage and strengthen these believers, and they would hold fast to their confession in Jesus and not turn back to their old ways.
- They would remember Jesus is much better than anything in this life and especially better than animism, even if it would be more comfortable in their old ways.
- The officials in Vietnam would be convicted by the Holy Spirit, and they would stop persecuting these Christians.
- Jesus would be so near to our brothers and sisters in Vietnam, and they would cling to Him and His promises and see that He is faithful.
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