One of the things I have an interest in is in the persecuted church around the world. For the past two years, through a non-profit organization called
International Christian Concern, I have been reading every now and then about what is going on among some of the Christians in countries like Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Cuba. These are just a few of many countries in the world where believers of Jesus Christ have to worship in secret because it is illegal in that country to practice Christianity, or anything other than the faith of that particular government (even if that faith is simply not having faith at all).
Without going in too much detail about what I have learned, (it would be better for you to read their stories for yourself),
I am amazed at the faith and joy that believers in these countries have in the Lord. A pastor in a country near Saudi Arabia taken into prison without trial, but then being miraculously sustained by God and feeling comfort by Him even though the prison wards had tried to suffocate him by cutting off the oxygen in his 4x4 cell. A woman on a bus in Algeria who was arrested by local police simply because she had with her a personal Bible and some other Christian books. Other believers in Algeria committing themselves to Christ through constant prayer and fasting, -praying blessings upon those who persecute them - and then seeing God answer those prayers through healings of Muslim brothers and sisters, more conversions, and other believers being rescued from danger. The stories go on and on.
Should we be surprised at this intense persecution taking place around the world? Not at all. Jesus himself says "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20). He also comforts us with the assurance that He is with us always, and that He has overcome: "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). He also commands us to love our enemies and pray for them: "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matt 5:44 NIV).
What should our response be? What should
my response be to what I read about from the churches overseas in places like Indonesia, India, China, North Korea? I need to pray for them. I need to give them all the encouragement and support that I can give. Those crying out to the Lord and reaching out to their own brothers and sisters who are Muslim, Hindu, etc., with the Good News, need it. When I recently began reading more about the persecuted churches in other countries this summer, I also just "happened" to be studying the book of Acts. How funny that the Lord timed my reading of the Acts of the Apostles to coincide with my re-discovery of the happenings of the underground church worldwide. One verse that struck me particularly was from Acts 21:13 when Paul, responding to pleas from his brothers and sisters in Christ to
not go to Jerusalem, knowing that he would be taken captive there and that they would probably never see him again: "For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
As a new missionary myself, I need to check my heart and ask myself "Am
I willing to die for the Lord?" It is my hope that if and when persecution comes, I can respond with the same courage of faith that the pastor who had to sit in his 4x4 cell with no light or air alone did. Although I am going to France, a democratic country where people have the freedom of religion, I know that persecution awaits me, too. I am reminded of some of the hardships that my team and I may have to go through in reaching the French for Christ while in Paris. Strong opposition, suffering awaits anyone who truly seeks to serve and love the Lord with all their heart and strength.
If you want to know more about the persecuted church around the world and how you can pray for brothers and sisters in Christ undergoing suffering and hardship for their testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ, you can go to this site:
http://www.persecution.org/suffering/prayer.php
