The Persecuted Church

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you … . Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

Revelation 2: 10

The death and resurrection of our Saviour is at the heart of the Christian faith. He was betrayed, wrongfully arrested, falsely imprisoned, beaten, tortured, faced an unjust trial, was crucified, rejected by the crowds and abandoned by his disciples. Above all, it seemed that even the Father had turned away and Jesus cried out, ‘My God, My God why have you forsaken me?’ (Matthew 27: 46) Through His death on the cross, Jesus made the ultimate perfect sacrifice for our sins.

In over fifty countries around the world Christians suffer persecution. They are arrested on false charges, beaten, chased from their homes, suffer loss of employment, rejected by their families and communities; suffer violence and even death for owning the name of Jesus Christ. More Christians have been martyred in the 20th century than in all other centuries. A Christian is martyred every 4–5 minutes. During this coronavirus pandemic, Christians are particularly vulnerable, and in countries like Pakistan they are not allowed to join queues for food and other emergency supplies. Christians fleeing from Syria have faced discrimination and sometimes violence. In Europe, they are attacked by Muslim-dominated refugee shelters; and often find it difficult to claim asylum.  Throughout Church history men, women and children have been killed because when threatened with death, they chose to give up their lives rather than deny Jesus who gave His life for them. Converts from other religions are at particular risk of being killed by the state e.g. in North Korea. Despite these great trials the Church still grows and there are 2.3 billion Christians worldwide.

Let us pray.
Father God we give you thanks for the living hope
that you have given us in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We pray that Christians who are suffering persecution will stand firm in their faith,
whatever may happen to them.

Father, please comfort, heal and lift up people in this country and around the world
who are suffering from the ravages of the coronavirus.

 When you pass through the waters
  I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
  they will not sweep over you.

Isaiah 43: 2

May the peace of the Lord be with you as you retire.

Amen

Glynne Gordon-Carter