In 2015, Zara, then 19, was abducted and horribly abused for several days by her kidnappers. Her entire Muslim family had become followers of Christ, and some Muslim extremists wanted to punish them. “They told her what they were doing was not a sin,” said a front-line worker, “but that it was their religious obligation because of her conversion to Christianity.” After her kidnappers released her, Zara and her family eventually fled to another country, but they continue to struggle. Now 27 years old, Zara receives trauma therapy but is still healing from her deep inner wounds.*
Though we may have read Paul’s words to Timothy that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12), most of us who are Christians in the West are unaware of the cost that many believers face around the world as they follow Jesus. In fact, is estimated that 1 in 7 Christians worldwide are persecuted because of their faith. That represents 365 million Christians globally – the vast majority in Africa (1 in 5 Christians persecuted there) and Asia/Middle East (2 in 5 Christians persecuted there).
Persecution can look like any of the following: rejection from family and community, loss of work or business, destruction of property, physical or verbal abuse, fines, deportation, imprisonment, kidnappings, torture, and murder. In 2023 alone, it is estimated that over 5,000 followers of Christ were murdered because of their faith commitment and almost 15,000 churches and Christian buildings were attacked. This doesn’t include the great number who live under threat of these things at all times.
Every January, Open Doors, a ministry that serves the persecuted Church, publishes the World Watch List, an annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. This year the 10 most dangerous countries in the world in which to be a Christian included the following:
- North Korea
- Somalia
- Libya
- Eritrea
- Yemen
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Sudan
- Iran
- Afghanistan
Most of the countries on the World Watch List are places where persecution has come from one of the following sources: Islamic extremism, Hindu extremism, Communism or other authoritarian regimes.
What Can We Do to Support Persecuted Christians?
- Weep
Romans 12:15 encourages believers to, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Though this is especially true for those within our local churches, the reality is that the worldwide Church is more of a global community than it has ever been. So, when we read stories of persecution and see the sufferings of our fellow brothers and sisters this should lead us to weep and mourn over what they are facing.
- Pray
Prayer is a powerful tool in the hands of God’s children. The Bible is replete with encouragement for us to bring our requests before the Lord, particularly when there is great need. Persecution of Christians is just such an occasion to beseech our King for help for those who are being oppressed. Paul often asked the churches with whom he was writing to pray for him that God would deliver him from situations in which evil men sought to hinder the work of the gospel (Romans 15:31; Philippians 1:19; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). Some common prayer requests from persecuted Christians include protection, strength, comfort, gospel boldness, conversion of their persecutors, and growth of the church.
- Give
Supporting organizations like Open Doors or The Voice of the Martyrs can provide essential resources to those who are suffering for the faith. These ministries and others like them assist Christians by providing Bibles, financial assistance, relocation, survival packs for those who have fled, prison visits, legal assistance, and advocacy among governments.
- Go
Most of the countries on the World Watch List allow Christians to enter their borders. This gives us who are Christ-followers in the West an opportunity to be on the ground and build relationships with our brothers and sisters who are facing persecution. Maybe the Lord will lead you on a short-term trip to a place like Nigeria, India, or China to be an encouragement to the global Body of Christ. No doubt, you will leave even more blessed, having experienced the faithfulness of those who call upon the Name in hard places.
Two Final Thoughts
First, if we’re not careful, reading about persecution can lead us into discouragement and pessimism. However, we need to recall Jesus’ words to his disciples shortly before his death, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our Father in heaven wastes not one ounce of persecution levelled against his children.
Ultimately, he uses these acts of aggression to strengthen his Church and broaden the reach of the gospel. And through it all he provides supernatural power through the Holy Spirit that indwells these courageous disciples to overcome all that the world throws their way.
Second, though persecution is carried about by the hands of human agents, its source is demonic. At the end of the day, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12) who are seeking to do everything in their power to frustrate the expansion of the kingdom of God among the nations. Thankfully, Jesus promised that the “gates of hell” would have no victory over the saints. So, take heart and join the fight!
*This story was taken from a prayer request shared on icommittopray.com, The Voice of the Martyrs prayer website.
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