The most hidden and neglected story of the late 20th and 21st centuries is the genocide of Christians around the world. More Christians have died as martyrs in the 20th century than in all of the other 19 put together.
Note the following statistics:
Since the beginning of this school year in August more than 750 Christians around the world have been killed for the “crime” of being a Christian. More than 300 have been abducted/kidnapped and taken from their families. More than 200 churches have been attacked. And more than 400 Christians have been imprisoned without trials (These statistics are taken from Open Doors Ministry. More information can be found from them and from Voice of the Martyrs, Bartlesville, OK).
This genocide is going virtually unnoticed by the media (and our churches) – and is vastly underreported when the media does notice. And it affects roughly 215 million Christians, about 1 out of every 12 in the world.
What can we do? God’s Word tells us to pray. Pray daily. Pray with passion as if these people were our own family members. Encourage your churches and other believers to pray. God does honor our prayers. James writes: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16).
At the end of Hebrews we’re told: “Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Heb. 13:3)
Let’s be thankful for the amazing blessings God has bestowed upon us – and pray for our brothers and sisters who do not share these same blessings.
Pastor Joseph P. Gudel,
Campus Pastor and Theology Teacher