By
Dave
Olsson,
Director
of
Communications
It is not receiving nearly enough attention in the mainstream media,
but a disturbing development is underway in the Middle East:
followers of Jesus Christ in the epicenter have endured a dramatic
surge of violence and persecution at the hands of religious and
political extremists in recent weeks and months.
In Iraq, Christians have been attacked and killed in their homes
and in public, forcing nearly a thousand families to flee from
Baghdad and Mosul to the safer Kurdistan region in the north. A
separate siege on a Baghdad church on October 31 killed 58 followers
of the Lord Jesus and wounded 67 others.
In Israel, extremists firebombed an Arab Christian church in
Jerusalem in November. In December, Kristine Luken, an American
evangelical Christian was stabbed to death not far from Jerusalem in
what many believe to have been an act of terror. Her friend, Kay
Wilson—an Israeli believer in Jesus—was also severely wounded in the
attack.
In Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the so-called “Supreme Leader,”
publicly warned last fall against the "network of house churches"
that "threaten Islamic faith and deceive young Muslims." Then,
during Christmas, at least 70 Iranian Christians were arrested in
their homes and separated from their families.
Coptic Christians in Egypt have also suffered severe persecution
since 2011 began. As a result of two violent attacks this month,
nearly 30 people have died and dozens more have been wounded.
Jesus Christ warned His followers that in the last days “they
will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you” (Matthew
24:8). The Lord also warned His followers that “an hour is
coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering
service to God” (John 16:2). The good news is that the Lord
Jesus also promised the world that, “I will build My Church and
the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew
16:18) Overall, the Church is growing. More people in the epicenter
are coming to faith in Jesus Christ than any other time in history,
and this is a cause for great rejoicing.
The Joshua Fund stands with and strongly supports Christian
ministry leaders in Israel and throughout the epicenter who are
facing this surge of persecution. We love these dear believers and
will not forget them. In recent years, we have provided prayer and
practical support to families of murdered and persecuted Christians
in Israel, Turkey, Gaza, and Mosul (Ninevah), Iraq. We have also
mobilized prayer support around the world for persecuted believers
in the Middle East. And now we are asking you to join with us by
making a specific point of praying regularly for our brothers and
sisters in the epicenter during these tumultuous times.
10
Ways
to
Pray
With
Us
- Gather with other followers of Jesus and those at your own
church to fast and pray, lifting up the pressing needs of
persecuted believers to their Father in Heaven who will hear and
respond. Ask the Lord to bless them with courage and great
wisdom during their trials. After all, “Blessed are those who
have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
- Pray for physical, spiritual and emotional healing of those
wounded in these terrible attacks. Pray for the doctors who are
treating the victims to have wisdom and special skill. Please
also pray for the Lord to comfort the family and friends of
those killed and wounded in these attacks with peace that passes
all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).
- Pray that Christians in the Middle East will faithfully love
their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, just as the
Lord Jesus commanded, even though this is so difficult to do
(Matthew 5:44).
- Pray that true followers of Jesus in the Middle East would
have the courage to continue being public witnesses of the
gospel of Lord Jesus where they live. “And now, Lord, take note
of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak
Your Word with all confidence while you extend Your hand to heal
and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy
servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).
- Pray that these murders would not result in Christians
living in fear or fleeing their countries, but that the
believers would follow the Holy Spirit’s specific leading
concerning where and how they should live and serve their Father
in heaven (Psalm 32:8).
- Pray that this wave of martyrdom would lead to unprecedented
opportunities to grow the Church, and that much fruit would
spring up from these fallen grains of wheat (John 12:24); that
what the enemy intended for evil the Lord would turn for good
(Genesis 50:20).
- Pray that the thoughts, plans and intentions of those filled
with hatred towards Christians would be confused and come to
nothing; that even on their way to commit violence, they would
meet Jesus and be transformed by His love forever, as happened
to Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:5,6).
- Pray for government leaders in the Middle East to publicly
denounce these violent acts against Christians, and to
aggressively and fairly prosecute and punish those who commit
such crimes.
- Prayerfully consider financially supporting Christian
ministries that are caring for your persecuted brothers and
sisters in the Middle East, and those ministries working to
stand with them and comfort them during times of pain and
suffering.
- Above all, pray that these Christians in the epicenter would
experience to the fullest all that Jesus promises to those who
stand faithfully for Him, even while enduring suffering (Luke
6:20-23; 1 Peter 4:14).
The good news is that instead of being intimidated by the violence,
many believers are standing firm in their faith. In a letter from a
believer in Egypt, one anonymous Christian recently wrote, “I will
go to church on Christmas Eve. All Christians insist on going to
Church no matter what happens. Many demonstrations shout and say,
‘To Church I will go, no matter what you do.’ Many people will turn
to Jesus because of that, those who are called Christians by name,
are now declaring their faith with zeal. Today we said good bye to
each other at work not sure if we will see each other on Monday or
not.”
Please ask our great God to strengthen and encourage these dear
believers even more.