One reason that I believe the modern day church is not as impactful as it could be is that most of the people in it resemble more cultural Christianity that genuine believers prepared to be persecuted. I have prayed often over what is written in 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith]. According to ACN research, almost 300 million Christians around the world – or 1 out of every 7 – live in a country where they suffer some form of persecution, such as arbitrary arrest, violence, a full range of human rights violations and even murder. It is estimated that eleven Christians are killed Every Day for their Decision to Follow the Lord Jesus. According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom’s 2023 report, Christians in Burma, China, Eritrea, India, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Vietnam are some of the most persecuted; these countries are labeled “countries of particular concern” by the United States. Many Americans don’t even realize all that is going on around the world to their brothers and sisters in Christ, and it appears that even those that do know don’t care enough to do much of anything at all, especially pray. A little history lesson. August 24, 2008 Pastor Dibya from Orissa, India, had taken shelter at a friend’s house after a church service when about 200 men who were Hindu extremists dragged him from the house and into a courtyard. “You have to reject Jesus in front of us!” one of the men demanded. “I cannot do that,” Dibya replied. A member of the mob then hit the pastor in the head with a large stone, killing him. Hindu extremists attacked more than 600 villages in August 2008, destroying hundreds of churches, burning and looting nearly 6,000 homes, leaving 56,000 people homeless. More than 18,000 people were injured in the attacks, and more than 100 lost their lives. Persecution is “hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race, political affiliation, or religious beliefs.” Persecution as a Christian is different from other forms of suffering in that it is explicitly personal. Living in the United States and being involved in a culture war and claiming victimhood is not the reality of persecution. I have witnessed genuine Christians become more confident that they are Christians when they feel persecuted. Brethren, we should all be praying for persecution because that is when we will see who are the wheat and who are the tares. The question we must ask ourselves is not whether we admire the faithfulness of persecuted believers, but whether we are willing to possess that same faithfulness when obedience to Christ costs us something. A church that is unwilling to suffer for the truth will eventually find itself unwilling to stand for the truth. With all that is going on around the world, probably the most important thing that is needed is prayer for the persecuted church. There are a few quotes that I would like to end this with that have brought much contemplation to my heart. Charles Spurgeon said, “Christians are not so much in danger when they are persecuted as when they are admired.” Leonard Ravenhill said, “The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.” Paul Washer said, “Persecution has never hurt the church … only prosperity.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, we cannot remain spectators while members of our own spiritual family suffer for the name of Jesus. Let us unite our hearts, our voices, our resources, and especially our prayers with persecuted believers, refusing to forget them simply because their suffering happens beyond our borders. Do not wait until persecution reaches your own doorstep before you decide that the persecuted church matters—pray now, stand now, and remain faithful now. My brothers and sisters in Christ, if you choose to live godly in Christ, you shall suffer persecution, but rejoice for it is evidence of the manifold work of God in your life.
Heavenly Father, strengthen Your church to endure faithfully when suffering comes, and give our persecuted brothers and sisters supernatural courage to remain steadfast in You. Teach us to endure without compromise, to pray without ceasing, and to remain faithful even when obedience becomes costly. May Your Holy Spirit sustain us to the very end, so that whether we face comfort or persecution, we will finish our race with faith and never deny Your name. In Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen.
My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog
Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*
To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.
