Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: February 10, 2024
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)
As Christians we are encouraged to persevere in prayer, and we know that it’s a wonderful blessing, privilege and comfort to bring our requests to the Lord. But in countries like Vietnam, the simple act of prayer could be seen as a direct threat to the government’s power and legitimacy.
Pray for Nay Y Blang
Nay Y Blang is a 48-year-old Montagnard* Christian and a member of the Central Highlands Evangelical Church of Christ, which is not recognised or approved by the Vietnamese government.
On 26 January he was unjustly sentenced to over four years in prison after holding prayer meetings in his home. He was accused of using the prayer meetings to ‘gather forces’, divide the national unity, and incite secession.
This is not the first time Mr Blang has been targeted for practising his faith. In fact, it is the third time he has been legally punished, including receiving a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence in 2005.
As you pray for Nay Y Blang’s freedom today, please also pray for Y Krec Bya, who faces similar charges and is due to stand trial next week. Y Krec Bya is from the same church as Mr Blang, and is likely to have the same judge.
In summary, please pray:
- That Nay Y Blang’s unjust sentence would be overturned and he would be unconditionally released.
- That Y Krec Bya would be granted a fair trial with legal representation; that the charges against him would be dropped and justice would prevail.
- That there would be justice in the courts across Vietnam, and that the Lord would turn the hearts of the judges towards compassion and equality.
- For the end to the harassment of Montagnard Christians, and all other religious and minority ethnic groups in Vietnam.
*The Montagnard minority ethnic group consists of approximately 30 indigenous tribes. The majority of Montagnards are Christians and live in Vietnam’s central highlands, where they have a long history of conflict with the Vietnamese government.
On 22 January, over 100 Montagnards were convicted of terrorism-related charges, based on confessions which family members said were made under duress.
Please pray for their safety, freedom and encouragement today.