Persecution of the Church is not new. But persecution of Christians, Christian churches, and even Christian schools has intensified over the past months to a point where a new incident seems to occur every time we flip on the news.
Non-Muslims were targeted in a mall massacre in Kenya yesterday. Today, double suicide bombers blasted a Pakistani church of 500-600 people, killing 75 at last report, and injuring over a hundred. An American citizen, a pastor, has been imprisoned in Iran's most notorious prison for a year now. In Syria, the civil unrest has made it so difficult for Christians that many are in hiding. In Egypt, in Afghanistan, and in nations around the world - persecution is escalating.
Be aware. Christians are dying for their faith today. Be aware. Evil, rogue leaders of some countries - such as the member of Parliament in Afghanistan yesterday - are calling for the wholesale slaughter of Christians. Be aware. Foxe's Book of Martyrs has nothing on what is happening this very day in our world in 2013.
So what are we to think? What are we to do? I have three ideas. Maybe you have more.
First, we need to stop thinking of prayer as something we do before meals and bedtime. Prayer brings us into the throne room of Almighty God. Spiritual battle is effected in prayer. Get real about your prayer life and intercede for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Do it consistently. Start today. Remember those who are truly suffering for the name of Christ. Call on God for peace, and pray for evil plans to be exposed before evil deeds can come to fruition.
Secondly, stand with our brothers and sisters boldly, doing whatever we can to help them. In Hebrews 10:33-34, "...Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions."
Here in the West, we have a voice. So start using yours. Find out who your representatives are. Call them. Write them. Physical letters have more political weight than an email. Phone calls have more political weight than an email. An email has more political weight than nothing. Do something. In American, you can find your representatives - FIND YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE - and tell them your thoughts. Don't let them get sidetracked into politics. Keep coming back to the fact that Christians are being killed for their faith.
Third, tell people. Many people get their news from family and friends or social media sites. Newspapers, news reporting, and news magazines are all cutting back on staff and cutting back on what they can cover. Take it upon yourself to let people know what is going on. In your church, your family, your friends - educate them!
Finally, and I realize how this sounds coming from the comfort of an American living room, but we have to remember that persecution is not unexpected. Jesus told us, in John 15:18, " If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." But we are also told, in Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." We do not have the luxury of just staying on the sidelines.
This is a spiritual battle. We need to "arm ourselves" (Ephesians 6:10-18). We need to focus attention on the problem . We need to bring this battle into the throne room of grace by praying over our brothers and sisters across the world. And then, "...after you have done everything, stand."( Eph 6:13b). Stand with them in prayer. Stand with them by using our voices to call for justice. Stand with them by calling creating more concern among our own people.
Start today!
Cara and Patti
Classic Christianity
Non-Muslims were targeted in a mall massacre in Kenya yesterday. Today, double suicide bombers blasted a Pakistani church of 500-600 people, killing 75 at last report, and injuring over a hundred. An American citizen, a pastor, has been imprisoned in Iran's most notorious prison for a year now. In Syria, the civil unrest has made it so difficult for Christians that many are in hiding. In Egypt, in Afghanistan, and in nations around the world - persecution is escalating.
Be aware. Christians are dying for their faith today. Be aware. Evil, rogue leaders of some countries - such as the member of Parliament in Afghanistan yesterday - are calling for the wholesale slaughter of Christians. Be aware. Foxe's Book of Martyrs has nothing on what is happening this very day in our world in 2013.
So what are we to think? What are we to do? I have three ideas. Maybe you have more.
First, we need to stop thinking of prayer as something we do before meals and bedtime. Prayer brings us into the throne room of Almighty God. Spiritual battle is effected in prayer. Get real about your prayer life and intercede for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Do it consistently. Start today. Remember those who are truly suffering for the name of Christ. Call on God for peace, and pray for evil plans to be exposed before evil deeds can come to fruition.
Secondly, stand with our brothers and sisters boldly, doing whatever we can to help them. In Hebrews 10:33-34, "...Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions."
Here in the West, we have a voice. So start using yours. Find out who your representatives are. Call them. Write them. Physical letters have more political weight than an email. Phone calls have more political weight than an email. An email has more political weight than nothing. Do something. In American, you can find your representatives - FIND YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE - and tell them your thoughts. Don't let them get sidetracked into politics. Keep coming back to the fact that Christians are being killed for their faith.
Third, tell people. Many people get their news from family and friends or social media sites. Newspapers, news reporting, and news magazines are all cutting back on staff and cutting back on what they can cover. Take it upon yourself to let people know what is going on. In your church, your family, your friends - educate them!
Finally, and I realize how this sounds coming from the comfort of an American living room, but we have to remember that persecution is not unexpected. Jesus told us, in John 15:18, " If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." But we are also told, in Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." We do not have the luxury of just staying on the sidelines.
This is a spiritual battle. We need to "arm ourselves" (Ephesians 6:10-18). We need to focus attention on the problem . We need to bring this battle into the throne room of grace by praying over our brothers and sisters across the world. And then, "...after you have done everything, stand."( Eph 6:13b). Stand with them in prayer. Stand with them by using our voices to call for justice. Stand with them by calling creating more concern among our own people.
Start today!
Cara and Patti
Classic Christianity
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