By Curt W. Olson
Christians are on the run in Iraq and Syria, fleeing the savage attacks from the terrorist organization Islamic State.
Many Christians in war-torn Iraq and Syria have seen loved ones, or friends tortured, assassinated, or crucified by Islamic State terrorists.
Christians in Nigeria never know when members of the Muslim terrorist group Boko Haram may attack a church or a Christian village, or kidnap girls and force them into sex slavery.
Asia Bibi in Pakistan recently had a death sentence upheld by the Pakistan Supreme Court for violation of that Muslim nation’s blasphemy laws, which has been used extensively to persecute Christians. Meanwhile, Shoebat.com reported in July that 20,000 Christian families are in slavery in Pakistan, “making bricks in horrid conditions.”
Also, Christians have witnessed the destruction of churches in China, and throughout multiple countries in the Muslim world.
Christians are being persecuted for who and what they believe more than ever before around the world. And brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ need the prayers of the rest of us now more than ever before. For Christians in America, praying is the least we can do for the persecuted church.
As Christians observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on one of the next two Sundays, November 2 or 9, Christians must plead for brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ because they have no security, they likely have no idea where they will get their next meal or sleep tonight, and they have tears that have dried.
As Christians in America and around the world pray for the persecuted church, as important as it is for us to pray for those fearing martyrdom anywhere around the world, let’s also pray for their persecutors.
When we read what Islamic State, Boko Haram, or others do to Christians, it’s easy to think of these Muslims as enemies who should be crushed by God.
But I would encourage brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ to pray specifically for the salvation of the people in Islamic State, Boko Haram, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Hezbollah, al Qaeda, and other terrorist organization, and the leaders of these Muslim countries.
Find a world map and begin in West Africa and look at the nations on that continent. Eritrea in East Africa is considered the “North Korea of Africa.” Head toward the Arabian Peninsula dominated by Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries. Go due north through Israel, the only true democratic nation in the Middle East, to Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey, and then head to Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and other nations.
Many of these Islamic nations have leaders who are very aware of the persecution of Christians, and do nothing about it. In many cases, if not all, they sanction it.
And while you’re praying for the salvation of leaders of Muslims nations, also pray for leaders in India, China, and North Korea. They persecute Christians, too, and they need Jesus Christ.
Even though you do not know these people personally, it will be quite difficult to develop a hatred for people for whom you pray for salvation.
We know Christianity thrives and grows in the face of persecution. This has been consistent for 2,000 years. May it happen again for the world to see at a time of social media, so there’s an undeniable reality to how God uses persecuted believers to advance His kingdom.
Be bold, passionate, and fervent, and expect God to do great things.
Christians are on the run in Iraq and Syria, fleeing the savage attacks from the terrorist organization Islamic State.
Many Christians in war-torn Iraq and Syria have seen loved ones, or friends tortured, assassinated, or crucified by Islamic State terrorists.
Christians in Nigeria never know when members of the Muslim terrorist group Boko Haram may attack a church or a Christian village, or kidnap girls and force them into sex slavery.
Asia Bibi in Pakistan recently had a death sentence upheld by the Pakistan Supreme Court for violation of that Muslim nation’s blasphemy laws, which has been used extensively to persecute Christians. Meanwhile, Shoebat.com reported in July that 20,000 Christian families are in slavery in Pakistan, “making bricks in horrid conditions.”
Also, Christians have witnessed the destruction of churches in China, and throughout multiple countries in the Muslim world.
Christians are being persecuted for who and what they believe more than ever before around the world. And brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ need the prayers of the rest of us now more than ever before. For Christians in America, praying is the least we can do for the persecuted church.
As Christians observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on one of the next two Sundays, November 2 or 9, Christians must plead for brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ because they have no security, they likely have no idea where they will get their next meal or sleep tonight, and they have tears that have dried.
As Christians in America and around the world pray for the persecuted church, as important as it is for us to pray for those fearing martyrdom anywhere around the world, let’s also pray for their persecutors.
When we read what Islamic State, Boko Haram, or others do to Christians, it’s easy to think of these Muslims as enemies who should be crushed by God.
But I would encourage brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ to pray specifically for the salvation of the people in Islamic State, Boko Haram, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Hezbollah, al Qaeda, and other terrorist organization, and the leaders of these Muslim countries.
Find a world map and begin in West Africa and look at the nations on that continent. Eritrea in East Africa is considered the “North Korea of Africa.” Head toward the Arabian Peninsula dominated by Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries. Go due north through Israel, the only true democratic nation in the Middle East, to Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey, and then head to Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and other nations.
Many of these Islamic nations have leaders who are very aware of the persecution of Christians, and do nothing about it. In many cases, if not all, they sanction it.
And while you’re praying for the salvation of leaders of Muslims nations, also pray for leaders in India, China, and North Korea. They persecute Christians, too, and they need Jesus Christ.
Even though you do not know these people personally, it will be quite difficult to develop a hatred for people for whom you pray for salvation.
We know Christianity thrives and grows in the face of persecution. This has been consistent for 2,000 years. May it happen again for the world to see at a time of social media, so there’s an undeniable reality to how God uses persecuted believers to advance His kingdom.
Be bold, passionate, and fervent, and expect God to do great things.