Time to pray

Shahbaz Bhatti, left, the head of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, shows a threat received by Michael Javed, right, a Christian.

Please pray for the Pakistani Christians - the photo accompanying this article - with a Christian leader who had received a death threat really filled me with anguish.

The story reminded me that what Peter, Paul and the early Christians experienced is not foreign to today's world. Many people have died because they professed to believe in Jesus. And indeed, around the world, there are many people who are suffering and being persecuted for their religious beliefs. No matter whether you are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, or anything else, people have the right to believe what they do, without fear and oppression from the government or fellow citizens for following their conscience.

Did anyone read Locke's Letter on Toleration?

Please also pray for those struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide. I have a few friends who have in the past, and are now, struggling. This article on CNN finds that Asian-American women are at higher risk than any other ethnic group of their cohort in the US. This article features a researcher who thinks it might have something to do with the push to achieve and the pressure young Asian women face to succeed.

I see these stories and they break my heart.

Please pray for healing, joy and peace to flood the hearts of those who are lonely, depressed or persecuted...

Whoever feels down, distraught, outcast, you have a friend! in Jesus.