Seth Udinski, FISM News
As Christians are preparing the celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Church continues to face trials throughout the world. Over the weekend, several developments broke concerning the persecution of believers in Africa and the Middle East.
On Friday, International Christian Concern (ICC) reported that Islamic extremists in Mozambique beheaded a pastor in the region and horrifically forced the pastor’s wife to bring his head to law enforcement authorities. The report said:
Suspected Islamic State-linked insurgents intercepted the pastor in a field, decapitated him and then handed over his head to his wife and ordered her to inform the authorities.
Reports indicate that the terrorist group may be affiliated with ISIS.
At the same time, Christians in the Middle East remain under fire from Islamist extremists as well. The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem released a statement last week affirming that Christians have been the victims of “frequent and sustained attacks” throughout the Holy Land:
It is therefore a matter of grave concern when this national commitment is betrayed by the failure of local politicians, officials and law enforcement agencies to curb the activities of radical groups who regularly intimidate local Christians, assault priests and clergy, and desecrate Holy Sites and church properties. The principle that the spiritual and cultural character of Jerusalem’s distinct and historic quarters should be protected is already recognized in Israeli law with respect to the Jewish Quarter. Yet radical groups continue to acquire strategic property in the Christian Quarter, with the aim of diminishing the Christian presence, often using underhanded dealings and intimidation tactics to evict residents from their homes, dramatically decreasing the Christian presence, and further disrupting the historic pilgrim routes between Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
These two reports further highlight the desperate need for Christians to be praying for those persecuted brothers and sisters in these dangerous regions of the world.
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, – Ephesians 6:18