While Islam is the dominant religion in Bangladesh , Buddhism has flourished in small areas of the country such as the isolated sub-district of Panchari in eastern Bangladesh . For the past year, Christians there have been facing increasing pressure to renounce their conversion to Christ and return to Buddhism. They have been beaten and threatened and community leaders have attempted to drive them from the area. According to an April 10 report by Compass Direct, the violence culminated with the burning of a church building by an angry mob in the village of Kinamonipara on March 30. An army contingent has since been deployed to prevent further violence. Other Bangladeshi Christians have been unable to provide support because the remote location and because of political instability in the region.
Pray that the believers will remain steadfast in their determination to follow the Lord. Ask God to remind them that they have inherited "better and lasting possessions" through Christ that far outweigh the losses they have endured (Hebrews 10:32 -39). Pray that the believers will boldly proclaim the gospel and that many more will come to know Jesus as a result.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Bangladesh , click here.
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