Articles
Persecution is Alive and Well
Christian persecution is alive and well in the world today. Countless believers are suffering untold mental, emotional, and physical pain as a result of their faith. It’s time we open our eyes and pay attention!
News of Recent Persecution
Right before Christmas last year, ISIS militants killed nine people in a church compound in Quetta, Pakistan. The day after Easter this year, the same group shot down a family who had traveled there to celebrate the holiday with relatives. Four out of the five family members died.
Earlier this Spring, 50 Hindus in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu attacked five churches, abusing the worshipers, burning their Bibles, and beating several women. Persecution in India is increasing as Hindu nationalists vow to eradicate Christianity by 2021.
On February 19, Boko Haram militants kidnapped 110 girls from a boarding school in Dapchi, Nigeria. All but one were released, Leah Shabiru. She remained in captivity because she refused to convert to Islam.
In Nigeria’s Middle Belt, the Fulani herdsmen, a nomadic Muslim group, have killed thousands of believers as they raze villages, destroy churches, and brutally murder and rape. In the last 12 months alone, they’ve attacked over 500 villages.
These stories barely begin to scratch the surface. The situation is far worse than we could possibly imagine.
Statistics
According to the World Watch List by the Open Doors organization, 215 million believers worldwide currently face intimidation, prison, or death. That’s over 8% of believers, or one out of 12!
Every month:
- 104 believers are abducted.
- 100 are detained and imprisoned without trial.
- 255 are killed.
- 66 churches are attacked.
The Proper Response
These facts are foreign to most of us. As a result, we don’t pray about persecution very often, nor do we appreciate our religious freedom as we ought. Most believers around the world would give anything to live in America.
Be thankful you live here. Don’t complain about trivial matters. Embrace the countless opportunities God has given you to openly worship Him and study His word.
At the same time, remember the suffering of other believers around the world. Pray fervently for them. Research what is happening so you won’t forget.
“Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body” (Heb. 13:3).
