Isn’t it wonderful to worship and learn about our Lord when we attend church, experiencing the peace He gives us? Bibles are available to be read openly. Pastors boldly yet humbly teach us what God says in His Word. The law enforcement officers give us a sense of protection and security as we offer praise to God and study His Word. Even now, if we cannot worship in person, we may participate online without censure.
But elsewhere, many of our Christian brothers and sisters must worship and pray and study in secret. the sight of a police officer causes fear of arrest or violence. Arrests often lead to prison, torture, expulsion, possibly death. And for what? For being a follower of Jesus who wants every single person, including those who persecute them, to know Him and receive His love.
Consider the hundreds of evangelical Christians in Eritrea (near Ethiopia) who have been imprisoned in horrible conditions for over 10 years. Think about Father Paul Zhang Guangjun who was beaten and then disappeared for refusing to join the government-supervised, official Chinese church. (In China, Communist authorities continue to shutter churches, spy on and harass the faithful, and insist that the Party is the ultimate authority in religious affairs.) Pastor Raymond Koh was seized by a snatch squad from the streets of Malaysia in 2017. Christians in Pakistan are behind bars, accused of blasphemy. In Nigeria, two young Christian women, a six-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl, a father of nine, and a church pastor were all slaughtered recently in recurring attacks on believers by Fulani militants. In North Korea, possession of a Bible or even a thumb drive is cause for execution.
Yet, like us, these persecuted Christians long to learn more about Jesus and to share the hope and salvation that He offers. The best way to stand beside them is with our fervent prayers; please pray for them. Pray for their safety, renewed strength, and that God provides for their families. Remember that it is only by God’s grace that we do not suffer these same trials.
by Zarie Jones
“The one thing that, according to Scripture, will remain for all eternity is the human soul. This is what we fight for in prayer and in intercession, day in and day out. We pray and continue to strive toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission… [which] has never changed. In every place where we are, the command to go and make disciples is still the same.”
– Dimitrie Todorov, Bulgaria
