The plea of persecuted Christians around the world is simple and direct: “Pray for us!” In their times of distress they ask first not for deliverance but for strength to endure and honour the name of Christ at all costs.
The stories of besieged believers should move us deeply because we belong to the same Body of Christ. And when we speak of the Persecuted Church we are not simply stating the title for a huge crisis; we are acknowledging that this name identifies brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering this very moment. Over 200 million men, women and children are persecuted because they bear the name of Jesus and will not deny Him, their Lord and Saviour.
These brave brothers and sisters are faithful in the furnace of affliction. Courageous disciples of Jesus are faced daily with oppression, false accusation, tyranny, discrimination, imprisonment, abduction and horrific physical torture. Many die each year at the hands of their persecutors. And what do they ask of us? They ask us to pray!
[box]The plea of persecuted Christians around the world is simple and direct: “Pray for us!” In their times of distress they ask first not for deliverance but for strength to endure and to honour the name of Christ at all costs. [/box]Each year, through the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), Christians in more than 130 countries unite in prayer for our suffering sisters and brothers . We encourage you to participate in this vital initiative of intercession. Pray with others or pray by yourself, but pray! Throughout the month of November let us who live in freedom not forget those who live in bondage and oppression.
NOTE: To view current information and reports on the status of persecution against the Christian Church, visit Open Doors News (formerly Compass Direct). This Christian news service is dedicated to providing exclusive reports, moving interviews and insightful analyses of situations and events facing Christians persecuted for their faith. They are located at www.compassdirect.orgg. Also visit www.idop.ca and www.persecutedchurch.org.