Amila, a single mother in Sri Lanka, is determined to follow Jesus and raise her daughters to know him. When she became a Christian, her husband left them and she moved in with her mother and sister to have help with childcare. She faces hostility and mistreatment from her family, as well as relentless pressure to return to her previous faith.
Scripture encourages us to remember our sisters and brothers like Amila as if we were mistreated with them. “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3).
We are encouraged to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ as if we were in prison and mistreated with them. That’s a very intentional -- and intense -- remembering.
Part of remembering is learning about what’s happening to our brothers and sisters in Christ today. It’s shocking to learn the extent of persecution Christians around the world are facing.
More than 365 million Christians (one in seven) suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith today, according to the Open Doors World Watch List.
Almost 5,000 Christians were killed
for faith-related reasons last year.
The increase in violence around the world against individuals on the basis of their religious belief is recognized internationally as a growing crisis. That’s why the UN designated August 22 as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
People in minority religious groups are more vulnerable in times of political instability or war. As well, there is greater vulnerability if someone is low-income, from a marginalized ethnic group, or is female. These compounding vulnerabilities put them at greater risk of harm.
“Pray for us,” is often the first request of persecuted Christians.
So, as we remember Christians around the world who face violence because of their faith, let’s lift them up to the God who hears and answers prayer.
Let’s pray for the wife and teenage kids of a pastor in Laos who was shot and killed in July. Pray for the brothers and sisters in Christ that he pastored.
Let’s pray for the 19 year old girl in Uganda who became a Christian but was beaten, burned and abandoned by her father in July. Let’s give thanks for her rescue and the help she’s received.
Let’s pray for the family members, and brothers and sisters in Christ, of the 50 Christians from a village in Nigeria who were killed by militants in August.
And for so many others.
Heavenly Father, we ask you to defend your children who are being oppressed (Ps 10:17-18). May they know they are not alone. We pray that you will be a Good Shepherd to them, walking with them, comforting them, anointing them in the presence of their enemies (Ps 23). We pray that you will give them courage and sustain them, and that their persecutors will know your love, forgiveness and blessing through them (Rom 12:14, 21). Bless them and keep them, make your face shine upon them and give them peace. Amen.
May we remember them as if we were with them and keep them in prayer.
Every year, Christians around the world set aside a day to pray for our brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their faith. We encourage you to join us on November 3, 2024, in marking the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. This year’s theme is Remember Her and there’s a free resource kit to help your church or group pray together.
For more information, see these EFC-affiliated organizations:
Intercede International
International Christian Response Canada
Open Doors Canada
Voice of the Martyrs Canada
Church under a cloudy sky image © Francene Goulding (from Pexels) via Canva.com