Praying for the persecuted Church 1 What is

Praying for the persecuted Church 1

What is Christian Persecution? Any unjust treatment, discrimination, or marginalization as a consequence of bearing the name of Jesus Christ 2

Types of Persecution � Imprisonment � Murder � Physical abuse � Rape � Death Threats � Emotional abuse � Destroying places of worship � Assassination Attempts � Economic Persecution(the deliberate imposition of substantial economic disadvantage) � Extortion � Slavery � Arbitrary interference with a person's privacy, family, home or correspondence � Relegation to substandard dwellings � Exclusion from institutions of higher learning � Enforced social or civil inactivity � Travel restrictions � Constant surveillance � Restrictive legislation � Mass killing 3

Why are Christians being persecuted? �Religious extremism – E. g. Pakistan �Political /ideological reasons – E. g. North Korea �Social reasons – Myanmar E. g. 4

The World’s Worst Persecutors 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. North Korea Somalia Iraq Syria Afghanistan Sudan Iran Pakistan Eritrea Nigeria Open Doors: The World Watch List 2015 5

80% of all religious persecution is against Christians 6 International Society for Human Rights, Frankfurt, Germany

Statistics 7 Source: Open Doors International

Global Christian Persecution � 70 million Christians killed for their faith since the Church’s founding, 65% in the 20 Century (Barrett and Johnson 2001: 227) �More Christians died for their faith in the 20 th century than in all other centuries put together (Paul Marshall, Hudson Institute) � 400 million live under non-trivial restrictions on religious liberty 8

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Stories from around the world… 10

Stories of imprisonment 11

IRAN – PASTOR SAEED ABEDINI • Imprisoned in September 2012 for work in a house church movement • Sentenced to 8 years in jail on charges of swaying youth away from Islam • At least 20 other Christians detained in jails across the country 12

PAKISTAN – ASIA NOREEN • Arrested in June 2009 • First woman to receive the death sentence under blasphemy law • To date Asia Noreen remains imprisoned Source: CDN Service 13

Stories of oppression 14

NORTH KOREA – THE KIM DYNASTY • Most difficult place in the world to be a Christian • Christianity is forbidden • Around 50 -70 thousand people are held in labour camps 15

SYRIAN CHRISTIANS The worst displacement of religious communities in recent times 16

IRAQI CHRISTIANS The worst religioushave communities in recent times Atdisplacement least 100, 000 of Christians fled the ISIS 17

Stories of violence 18

SRI LANKA – ATTACKS ON CHURCHES In 2013, 103 incidents of persecution In 2014, 111 incidents In 2015, so far, over 50 incidents…

NIGERIA – CHRISTIANS UNDER FIRE • Over 350 churches were destroyed in 2011 • In 2012, over 900 Christians were killed • In 2014 Boko Haram Killed 2, 053 Civilians in 6 Months Source: CDN, ICC, HRW 20

Stories of martyrdom 21

INDIA – PASTOR SANJEEVULU On 11 January 2014, 4 men pretending to want to pray with him - stabbed him and beat him with sticks and clubs. Succumbed to his injuries 2 days later… Pastor Sanjeevulu and family 22

What could we do? • RAISE your voice, speak up for those suffering in the faith "Speak up for those cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy“ Proverbs 31: 8 -9 23

What could we do? “In prayer, human impotence casts itself at the feet of divine omnipotence. ” - John Mc. Arthur - 24

What could we do? 1. Get acquainted with the happenings of the persecuted Church 2. Preach and teach on persecution, and highlight the importance of intercession for the persecuted church 25

How can we pray? 1. Pray scripturally 2. Pray sensitively 3. Pray systematically 4. Pray spontaneously 26

How can we pray for the persecuted? • • That believers will stand firm in their faith. (1 Peter 5: 8 -10) That they will not be fearful but trust God. (Rev. 2: 10) That they will not take revenge, but leave that completely with God. (Rom. 12: 17 -21) That they will be enabled to rejoice, even in suffering (1 Peter 4: 12 -13) That they will be able to actually love their enemies. (Matt. 5: 43 -44) That they will bless those who have persecuted them. (Rom. 12: 14, 21) That they will persevere under tribulation. (Heb. 10: 32 -39) That they will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere, and not grow weary or lose heart. (Heb. 12: 1 -3) 27

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International Days of Prayer for the persecuted church November 1 & 8 www. idop. org 31

For if one suffers, we all suffer… 32