The 105-year-old man stood before his fellow villagers. The people respected the elderly man and stood at rapt attention, waiting to hear what he had to say. As the words began to tumble out of his mouth, the people knew something was drastically different.

Wheather old or young, former persecutors of Christians are today embracing the faith they once resisted—thanks to the prayers of God's people.

"My dear friends and villagers, so many years I misunderstood Christianity and I persecuted the Christians a lot," he began. "But all these years I had no peace in my heart. Then I realized my sins and I came to know that only Jesus Christ could forgive my sins, and give me peace of mind. So whether you kill me or not, I am going to take baptism."

The people were stunned at his bold confession of faith. They still could hardly believe their eyes when the centenarian and his family chose to be baptized and became active members of the local Gospel for Asia Believers Church.

GFA leaders in Tripura, where this man lives, were not surprised at the turn of events. They had been fasting and praying that God would remove the veil of opposition from the man's eyes. Anti-Gospel sentiment is intense in this eastern Indian state. Some of the Christians who attend church are denied jobs because of their faith. Younger believers aren't allowed to attend college. Christian leaders and missionaries working in the area know there is only one way to break through the hardened hearts of their persecutors—fervent prayer.

The Lord heard their prayers and God began to soften the hearts of the persecutors. Some, like this elderly gentleman, responded by repenting and receiving Jesus as their Savior. God used this elderly man's powerful testimony of a changed life as a catalyst to change others who had previously opposed the Gospel.

Another man who adamantly persecuted Christians was horrified when his son received Jesus as his Savior and went on to become a GFA missionary. This angry father fell ill and, as a result, became paralyzed. From his hospital bed, he heard about the 105-year-old man's confession of faith. Soon, this former persecutor was crying out to God, too.

"I also did sin before God by persecuting the Christians," he admitted. "If God can forgive my sin, let Him forgive me and give me peace of mind!" He received Jesus as his personal Savior and chose to be baptized, too.

GFA missionaries face persecution from anti-Christian groups every day, but they know that God is stronger than any man, so they pray and continue their work, counting on God to change the hearts of the persecutors. Continue to pray for them as they share Christ's love in these hostile environments.

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