Pray for the persecuted – at home and abroad

By: American Decency Staff

When the home team jumps in rank from 43^rd to 19^th place, it’s like a dream, but to jump so many slots because of the increased persecution in your home country is more of a nightmare. For those who live in Kenya, this is exactly what has happened according to the Open Doors world watch list (www.opendoorsusa.org). As a matter of fact, Kenya has experienced the largest increase in persecution over any other country throughout this past year.

With such a rise in persecution, I was really surprised to discover that a large majority of Kenya’s population is Christian (82%), with only 12% of the population being Muslim.  Some may wonder how such a small percentage of the population can bully and persecute the majority.  One of the reasons for this is that some of the political leaders in Kenya are fueling the persecution against Christians.

There is no law in Kenya which keeps one from sharing their faith, yet many Christians have a great fear to witness due to the violence which has taken place there.  For example, not so long ago one of the universities was attacked and those who were Muslim were freed while those students who were Christians were brutally murdered.

I suppose most Americans would be as surprised as I was; however, it shouldn’t be too hard to imagine, seeing that an even smaller minority in America (LGBT) seems to have little to no difficulty in bullying and persecuting Christian businesses, churches, and peoples. For now, the persecution is on a much lesser level, yet it is persecution nonetheless. Our political leaders are fueling and encouraging the removal of our religious rights on an almost daily basis, while increasing the rights of those who stand against the Word of God (LGBT and Muslim).

Currently in America, the Muslim population is much smaller than that of Kenya, but with the current administration pushing for the acceptance of Muslim refugees, illegal immigration, and the like, we will pass the 3% that it takes to see major shifts take place with civilization jihad. We have already been witnessing these shifts and if we don’t take responsible, political action, we may feel the sting of persecution much like that of Kenya.

Gladys, a Christian educator from Kenya whose husband was murdered by Muslims, told Open Doors listeners that the persecuted must rely on forgiveness and love, that love conquers all—even hate. She encourages those in America to pray for Kenya, that Christians might have the boldness to speak as they ought and that in dealing with Muslims it is important to start with prayer. Muslims need to be brought to Jesus.

This sounds like good advice for Americans too.  May we pray for those who persecute us and love them with the love of Jesus.  The love of Christ ought to constrain us and be our motive to shine the Light of the world into this darkness which pervades our own country too. Whether we hide the Light and the Truth from embarrassment, fear, or apathy, when the Light is hidden the darkness encroaches; but when the Light is lifted high, He dispels the darkness. May Kenyans and Americans have the boldness to speak as we ought; may we have the boldness to love as we ought.

You can go to opendoorsusa.org to find out how to pray for the persecuted church around the globe, how to encourage your brothers and sisters through writing letters and/or financially, and ways to pray for them.

Pray for the persecuted church.  Pray for your Christian brothers and sisters around the world who are becoming displaced, falsely imprisoned, losing life and limb for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for the persecuted in America and do something about it by letting the Light of Jesus shine through you!

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