Scarier than Halloween
"Nassarah."
In Arabic, this means "Christian." To mark homes and businesses of known Christians, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) spray-paints the Arabic letter "N" as they threaten an ultimatum: convert to Islam or residents will pay the price.
I cannot help but recall that there was a similar situation in Nazi Germany. Men, women, and children forced to wear yellow stars upon their clothes...tattoos with their serial numbers...off to an "uncertain" death. Or perhaps another one in the American South. Unfit outhouses deep in mud with the sign "Colored." It is true that history repeats itself.
Christianity is the most persecuted religious group worldwide, likely because it is the largest. However, on average, 322 Christians are killed each month for their faith somewhere in the world. (Source: Open Doors USA)
Beyond death, Christians globally face mutilation, rape, beatings, torture, no due process of law, imprisonment, and more, all simply because they proclaim Jesus as their Savior. To those who persecute Christians, it does not matter if someone identifies as Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, or non-denominational. A Christian, is a Christian, and a "kafir," which in Islam, is the worst word in the human language to be: an "unbeliever" [of Allah].
But, it's not just Islamic extremists that persecute the church. In Bangladesh and Cuba, Christians are not allowed equal rights as other citizens. In China, Bibles are not to be possessed. In Indonesia, Christians are routinely persecuted by family, friends, neighbors, and other groups despite governmental support. In Venezuela, persecution of Christians is on the rise. And, as Hebrews 13:13-14 reads "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come," the Syrian refugees wander to find solace anywhere but their home.
I can't help but reflect on the persecuted church worldwide as November 1st approaches, the day my church treats as the "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church." It falls on All Saints' Day, also a religious holiday, instead commemorating all of the saints. And, while the persecuted today may not be saints in the strictest sense meant by the holiday, many are indeed on the road to martyrdom.
So, on Halloween night, I can rest assured that despite the scary blood and spider webs and zombies, the truth is, for the most part oppression is make-believe here in America. We have the occasional violent "loon" on a crusade "against" Christians no more than the occasional violent "loon" on a crusade "for" Christians. But, miles away, my brothers and sisters are faced with fear each day, with less and less of a way out. I can only imagine that kind of fear. It's not the kind that I can shake off after the leftover candy from trick-or-treaters in my belly quits aching and the scenes from the slasher film fade.
While it may be tempting to feel guilty for our fortunate life here in the USA, what really is the call to action when we receive this kind of awareness of information is to give a voice to those who cannot give voice to their oppression. To give from our surplus. To refuse to be distracted by the routine of our lives.
In earnest, I challenge you to pray for a specific country on November 1st during your normal daily quiet time as I will. When asked, persecuted Christians most often ask for prayer (Source: Voice of the Martyrs). You can find areas of high to low risk on the World Watch List here: http://opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/
It is my hope that, together, the body of Christ will find peace everlasting.
"...Deliver us from evil, for thine is the power, and the glory, forever and ever, Amen."
In Arabic, this means "Christian." To mark homes and businesses of known Christians, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) spray-paints the Arabic letter "N" as they threaten an ultimatum: convert to Islam or residents will pay the price.
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| The Arabic letter "N" in red |
Christianity is the most persecuted religious group worldwide, likely because it is the largest. However, on average, 322 Christians are killed each month for their faith somewhere in the world. (Source: Open Doors USA)
Beyond death, Christians globally face mutilation, rape, beatings, torture, no due process of law, imprisonment, and more, all simply because they proclaim Jesus as their Savior. To those who persecute Christians, it does not matter if someone identifies as Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, or non-denominational. A Christian, is a Christian, and a "kafir," which in Islam, is the worst word in the human language to be: an "unbeliever" [of Allah].
But, it's not just Islamic extremists that persecute the church. In Bangladesh and Cuba, Christians are not allowed equal rights as other citizens. In China, Bibles are not to be possessed. In Indonesia, Christians are routinely persecuted by family, friends, neighbors, and other groups despite governmental support. In Venezuela, persecution of Christians is on the rise. And, as Hebrews 13:13-14 reads "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come," the Syrian refugees wander to find solace anywhere but their home.
I can't help but reflect on the persecuted church worldwide as November 1st approaches, the day my church treats as the "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church." It falls on All Saints' Day, also a religious holiday, instead commemorating all of the saints. And, while the persecuted today may not be saints in the strictest sense meant by the holiday, many are indeed on the road to martyrdom.
So, on Halloween night, I can rest assured that despite the scary blood and spider webs and zombies, the truth is, for the most part oppression is make-believe here in America. We have the occasional violent "loon" on a crusade "against" Christians no more than the occasional violent "loon" on a crusade "for" Christians. But, miles away, my brothers and sisters are faced with fear each day, with less and less of a way out. I can only imagine that kind of fear. It's not the kind that I can shake off after the leftover candy from trick-or-treaters in my belly quits aching and the scenes from the slasher film fade.
While it may be tempting to feel guilty for our fortunate life here in the USA, what really is the call to action when we receive this kind of awareness of information is to give a voice to those who cannot give voice to their oppression. To give from our surplus. To refuse to be distracted by the routine of our lives.
In earnest, I challenge you to pray for a specific country on November 1st during your normal daily quiet time as I will. When asked, persecuted Christians most often ask for prayer (Source: Voice of the Martyrs). You can find areas of high to low risk on the World Watch List here: http://opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/
It is my hope that, together, the body of Christ will find peace everlasting.
"...Deliver us from evil, for thine is the power, and the glory, forever and ever, Amen."
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