Seth Udinski, FISM News
On Sunday, millions of Christians observed International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, lifting up the many Christians around the world who face persecution every day.
According to David Curry, president and CEO of Open Doors USA, there are currently more than 340 million Christians in the world who daily face serious threats of persecution.
Persecution has been a constant thread in the storyline of Christianity. Indeed, the Lord Jesus promised persecution to all believers in John 15,
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Perhaps now more than ever, the Church is facing threats of persecution not only in third-world countries but in more developed countries as well. Christianity is consistently being pushed to the margins in a growing world-wide secular movement. Since 1996, Christians have marked the first Sunday in November as a day dedicated to praying for the persecuted Church. This past Sunday, Christians continued that sacred tradition, gathering in churches and homes to bring their brothers and sisters under fire before the Lord in prayer.
In an interview with CBN, Curry spoke of the various ways Christians are persecuted throughout the world,
Some of those places like North Korea are exceptionally difficult if you’re caught with the Bible, you may spend the rest of your life in prison or even lose your life. Then there are other places around the world where the Gospel is opposed. You may be harassed and bothered, so there are any number of ways people can be persecuted for their faith.
Persecution also comes in the form of marginalization, where Christians are denied basic human rights because of their faith. Persecution watchdog World Watch List said recently,
Christians who abandon a majority faith to follow Christ know they risk losing all support from spouses, families, tribes and communities, as well as local and national authorities. If they lose income due to COVID-19, they can’t fall back on customary networks for survival.
But in the midst great suffering, there is even greater hope. Historically, the Church has flourished on the margins, and it will do so again. Sunday marked a moment of great faithfulness for the Church, both for the Christians who entered the throne room of God on behalf of their persecuted brethren, and those persecuted who continue to stand fast under fire.
This commemoration is a reminder for all believers, that when persecution comes, no matter what form it may take, we can be confident in the victory that is ours through Christ.