You can find part 1 of this post here.
People have always stood for what they believe; people have often been persecuted for that which they believe. Christians are most like Jesus when they walk obediently (Phil. 2:8), forgive those who have wronged them (Eph. 4:32), love (Jn. 13:34-35), and intercede in prayer on behalf of others (Jn. 17). It is my prayer that those who read Friday’s articlehave been moved to pray in the manner of Hebrews 13:3, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body,” throughout this past weekend. I trust the Spirit has brought these brothers and sisters to mind and that you have prayed.
As we see persecution worsening around the world and see it unfolding here within our own borders it is vital that we remember two things. First, our enemy is not an enemy of flesh and blood; it is the devil himself and his minion (Eph. 6:12). He uses men who are willing to be used by him, but the devil is the enemy. Second, it’s important to remember that even though the experiences may be harrowing, it is a privilege to suffer for Jesus. We need to keep Philippians 1:29in view as we walk into 2015. “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.”
You may wonder how Open Doors USA decided where each nation should be ranked. Director of communications, Emily Fuentes, states that three of the main criteria that are used to decide which nations are the most extreme in Christian persecution are as follows: Incidents of violent attacks against Christians, family persecution, and governments that kill and imprison Christians for their belief. If you’d like more information on how these countries are rated, click here. It was incredibly difficult to rank the nations this year because there has been such a drastic increase in Christian persecution, with a real possibility of next year being even worse.
As we continue to examine the top five nations which host the most inhumane and extreme persecution of Christians, I would remind you to pray. Pray for the persecuted, their families, and their persecutors. Remember, there was once a man who persecuted the first church with extremes by the name of Saul. God changed him, renamed him Paul, and made him the greatest missionary of the church’s history.
Today’s first country is ranked number five, Afghanistan. “In Afghanistan, conversion from Islam to Christianity is considered a serious crime, punishable by death according to Islamic law. Abdul Latif, a Christian father, was brutally beheaded in June 2011 by four Islamic militants in the town of Enjeel for the “crime” of converting to Christianity.” (Christian Freedom International) Open Doors UK reports, “Even praying, singing or keeping Christian materials can be very dangerous, and there is no public church, even for expats. Foreign Christians are also at risk: several Christian aid workers were killed in Afghanistan in 2014.”
Next we come to a country where more than 700,000 Christians have left since the Civil War began here in 2011; ranked number four on our list, we find ourselves in Syria. Open Doors USA states, “Many Christians have been abducted, physically harmed and killed.” Most of the Christians in this country live in Damascus. Some of the reports that come from Syria include: massacres, church leaders being murdered, and most Christians receiving the choice to “comply or face the sword” to name a few.
Christian Freedom International reports, “In many Syrian towns, lawlessness has become the norm. When government forces aren’t present, Muslims have been known to rob churches and kidnap, rape, or even kill Christian women. Innocent bystanders simply making trips to the store have been gunned down. Curfews have done little to make anyone feel safer or less fearful, so the Christian community simply bands together…and prays.” The church here is almost entirely underground.
Iraq ranked number three in extreme persecution. More than 70% of Christians in Iraq have fled since 2003. Open Doors USA reports, “In June 2014, a strict version of Islamic law was implemented in the area the militants of Islamic State hold. Christians were forced to convert, flee or pay a tax for religious minorities.” It’s been recently reportedthat despite the terror ISIS has rained down in Iraq recently, multitudes are turning to Jesus because of the loving kindness shown by Christians in Jesus’ name.
In July of last year CBS reported on Christian persecution in Iraq, stating, “Iraq's Christian communitiesdate back to the first centuries of the religion. Before the 2003 U.S-led invasion, around 1 million Christians called Iraq home. But since then, the community has been a frequent target for militants, and attacks prompted many Christians to leave the country. Church officials now estimate the community at around 450,000.”
Now we will look into the number two country where Christians face the most persecution, Somalia. Voice of the Martyrs reports, “Somalia has a history of fierce persecution against Christians. In 2009, the parliament approved implementation of Shariah law nationwide. The government has also banned proselytizing. Christian converts from Islam are estimated at fewer than 200 people.” They further state, “The radical Islamic group al- Shabab has vowed to eradicate all Somali Christians, and they have especially targeted converts from Islam.” Rape, beheadings, beatings, and abductions are not uncommon for the Christian in Somalia. Extreme drought and corruption also bring hardship to Christian and Muslim alike in this nation. The extreme terrorist group known as Al Shabab still has control over much of the nation. Anyone even suspected of being a Christian is often executed on the spot.
As we look at persecution around the globe, we come to the number one ranked country where it is dangerous to be a Christian, North Korea. For thirteen years in a row, North Korea has held the number one spot on the World Watch List of extreme Christian persecution. There are an estimated 70,000 Christians who are in prison or labor camps for their faith. Owning a Bible, praying, or worshipping are all acts that can put up to three generations of one’s family in jail. It is not uncommon for a child, parent, and grandparent to be put into a labor camp because of the “crime” of Christianity being committed by one of those three generations. This puts even greater pressure upon the believer. Currently, anyone even caught with a Bible is likely to be executed on the spot. Reports of political crimes may refer to the crime of Christianity.
These are only the top five of the top ten we reported on. There are many other countries which persecute our brothers and sisters in Christ; the World Watch Listnames the top fifty. Of the Top Ten nations being identified as being hostile to Christianity, nine of them have a majority Muslim population. Islam is the main religion in most of these top 50 countries as well. The nations of this world are increasingly raising their fists to God and His Son, Jesus Christ. As men and women claim the name of Jesus, it’ll be increasingly dangerous and deadly to be a Christian where the majority of the population is Muslim. These things ought not to surprise us since the Bible warns that persecution is expected for the believer.
Knowledge is one thing, but action is another. Now that you know, what will you do about it? It all seems so overwhelming you may be wondering, “What can I do about all this?” Here is a short list of things you can do to help meet the needs of the persecuted church.
1. Pray. There are many specific needs and requests that can be found on websites like VOMor Open Doors USA. There are national and personal requests on either of these websites. In general our brothers and sisters are requesting prayers for strength, endurance, for the salvation of their persecutors, and their families.
2. Tell their stories. As you tell others about the persecuted church and what they are enduring you raise awareness. Start an awareness campaign in your church or encourage others to a time of prayer for these dear souls. VOM has a weekly radio broadcast on their site and blog updates throughout the week. Open Doors USA has bulletin inserts for each country which can be downloaded. Both groups have newsletters and news updates about those who are persecuted.
3. Advocacy. Both VOM and Open Doors USA have information for contacting people in our government and the government of the country where the persecution is taking place. There are phone numbers and addresses available along with names of those you should contact.
4. Write letters of encouragement. VOM has a special section where prisoners are named, their address at the jail is given, and they even make it easy to write letters to prisoners in their own language. To learn more about this fascinating feature click here.
5. Get involved with special projects. Both groups have special projects you and your church can get involved with. It’s often very interesting and even small children can participate in some of them. Our church did small parachute projects through VOM that would be flown over Columbia. The expense was minimal, even young children could help, and we drew close as a church as we reached out to others.
Most importantly, remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Pray and respond as you would hope others would do for you.
photo credit: E11World via photopin cc
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