Tag: jesus

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

I never thought I would agree with Bill Mahr on ANYTHING, but there he was on TV talking about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. After pointing out that he is not a Christian, he said, “They’ve killed over 100,000 (Christians) since 2009. They burned 18,000 churches…Boko Haram…are literally trying to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country.”

This photo is by Ben Iwara on Pixels.com

Though Nigeria is one of the most heartbreaking examples, it is far from the only one. Across central Africa, radical groups like Boko Haram and ADF burn Christian villages and churches, kill Christians, and enslave survivors. They force Christian women to marry Muslim men or gangrape those who don’t marry, like Leah who was a schoolgirl kidnapped from her high school and held hostage since President Obama was in office.

Countries of Persecution

According to Open Doors, “more than 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.”

South Korea has started arresting preachers who have taken moral stands on issues with which the government does not agree. This is our ally, South Korea. North Korea has been the leading persecutor of Christians for years.

Parts of India have legalized anti-conversion laws which authorize the government to arrest those who encourage others to become Christians.

In Britain, police have arrested Christians for silently praying outside abortion clinics.

In the United States, an assassin shot popular Christian conservative activist Charlie Kirk, for speaking out.

Aiding the Persecuted

Sometimes I feel so helpless, but we can do things to help those who suffer persecution. Sunday, November 2, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

  • On this day, men and women around the world pray for their persecuted brothers and sisters. Persecuted Christians request prayer as their number one need.
This photo is by Pixabay on Pixel.com
  • Some churches take special offerings for Bibles, the persecuted church’s second biggest request.
  • Some preachers enlighten their members on what their brothers and sisters face.
  • Some missionary groups will post maps and literature. 
  • Youth groups put on plays about the persecuted church.
  • Some churches write letters of encouragement to prisoners, which often causes their persecutors to treat them better.
  • Some churches show a movie about persecution.
  • Some invite special speakers.

    • For more information and resources, you can check:

    International Christian Concern

    Voice of the Martyrs