Awareness: Persecuted Church
It’s like America is in a bubble and we have no clue as to what goes on in the outside world around us! This is CRAZY!
Did you know it is estimated that 176,000 Christians were martyred from mid-2008 to mid-2009?
That is 482 deaths a day, one every 3 minutes. This doesn’t even include, raping, kidnapping, imprisonment, acid thrown on faces/bodies, beatings, burning of churches/houses, Totalitarianism governments that increase hardships on Christians trying to get them to recant their faith, etc.
According to Open Door’s report World Watch List; cited that North Korea uses Christians as guinea pigs to test chemical and biological weapons, and deemed the world’s worst persecutor of Christians. This report indicates the top 50 countries where persecution for religious reasons is the worst. The focus is persecution concerning people’s faith and not political, economic, social, ethnic, or accidental reasons. You can download the report by clicking the link above.
You can follow and keep up with the persecuted church by reading several sites dedicated to informing the Church/world about it.
Interceding for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ is the most important thing we can do. That they follow through with Jesus’ command in John 15:12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you”. Despite tyranny, oppression, and the possible isolation from God’s Word and the body of Christ the Comforter will encourage, strengthen, and give them peace that surpasses all understanding.
No matter the cost or the situation they have a mindset that Paul talks about in Philippians 4:4-13, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Pray that God will give them peace and strength to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ! That their actions and lives mirror the love of Jesus Christ!
Persecution Awareness websites:
1) http://www.persecution.com
2) http://www.opendoorsusa.org
3) http://www.persecution.org
4) http://www.prisoneralert.com/
5) http://persecutionblog.com/
