“I am fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. “
Pa-yang, a young mother in her late twenties living in a remote mountain village in northern Laos, recently lost her eldest son. The child died after drinking a poisoned beverage. It was later discovered that the poison had been deliberately added by someone hired by Pa-yang’s own relatives, intending to harm the entire family.
Since converting to Christianity, Pa-yang and her husband Lavee have endured ongoing persecution from their community. Villagers have tried to drive them out and pressured them in various ways to abandon their faith. Earlier this year, a land dispute with Pa-yang’s relatives—who wanted to seize Lavee’s land—fueled even harsher persecution. When Lavee refused to surrender the land, the relatives, in anger, plotted revenge by attempting to poison the family.
A few days after the land conflict, the couple returned home to find their three children collapsed on the floor. They rushed them to the hospital, but their oldest son did not survive. The two younger children were saved but had to be discharged early due to the family’s inability to afford further medical treatment. Now back at home, Pa-yang and Lavee are caring for their still-recovering children, facing not only emotional and physical pain but severe financial hardship as well.
An investigation confirmed that a person hired by Pa-yang’s relatives had added poison to drinks left in the house. The intent was to poison the entire family, but the children consumed it first. Pa-yang said, “Losing my son is incredibly painful, but I believe and know that he is with Jesus in heaven.”
Lavee added, “Even if persecution increases, we will never abandon our faith in Jesus. We will remain faithful to Him.” In the midst of their suffering, the family clings to the Word of God. “Like Job, who lost everything yet was ultimately restored by the LORD, we also believe that God will save us. His Word gives us strength,” Lavee said.
Open Doors has helped cover the family’s medical expenses, and the Christian community has come together to support their recovery. However, threats against the family continue. Lavee is praying for a fair legal process and asks others to join him in praying that the perpetrators, if released, will not be able to harm them again.
He concluded with a plea for intercession not only for his family but also for their persecutors: “I believe that those who want to hurt or kill us can still open their hearts to see God’s love and mercy—if we pray for them. So please pray for them, too.” (Source: U.S. Open Door, Prayer 24·365, Edited version).
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:20-22)
God, thank You for giving the hope of heaven to this Christian couple in Laos who have endured persecution and the heartbreaking loss of their son because they received Jesus as their Savior. May the cross of salvation—proof of Your love that gave even Your own Son—be engraved on their hearts. Strengthen them daily through Your Word and deepen their trust in the One who is faithful to fulfill all His promises. We ask You to oversee every step of the legal process and reveal Your justice in ways that only You can. Let even those who oppose the truth come to recognize that You alone are God and return to You in repentance.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
