The Persecuted Church

"Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned ; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated--the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." Hebrews 11:35-40 NIV

The twentieth century is clearly the century of persecution. Story upon heart-wrenching story tells of people suffering merely because they have faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, there have been more Christians martyred for their faith in the twentieth century than in the previous nineteen combined.

We encourage prayer for the souls of the oppressors, the nations that promote persecution, and those who ignore it.

We believe that prayer changes things. Exactly what happens is a mystery of faith. God invites us to present to Him our requests and to pray without ceasing. Persecuted Christians often plead for prayer to help them endure. The most we can do is the least we can do: pray.

Reasons Behind Rising Persecution of Christians

• The shift in evangelical growth from the Western world to the third world over the past few decades has been startling. In 1960, over 70 percent of all evangelicals lived in North America and Western Europe. In 1990, 70 percent of all evangelicals lived in the third world under non-democratic regimes, and the numbers continue to grow at a staggering rate. This new growth is a threat where evangelicals are perceived as a new voice in the society.
   
• Across Asia, in the Middle East, and down through Africa, an increasingly radical and militant strain of Islam is seeking political power. Christians are all too often the victims of this battle within Islam.
   
• Communist regimes, including China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos and Cuba, took careful note of the role Eastern European churches - especially the Roman Catholic Church - played in the fall of the Soviet empire. They are determined not to allow a repeat of that in their own nations.
   
• Believers around the world feel they have been silent about their faith for too long. They are becoming increasingly public about stating their belief in Jesus and increasingly willing to risk the repercussions coming from such public declarations.

Prayer Requests from Persecuted Christians

1. Thank God for the proud and faithful witnesses of persecuted believers.
2. Pray for the spouses, children and families of persecuted believers.
3. Pray for provision of Bibles and other Christian literature.
4. Pray for God to raise up more leaders among the persecuted church.
5. Pray for the oppressors of Christians, that they may experience repentance and salvation.
6. Pray for churches in the Islamic World, that laws forbidding evangelism, apostasy (leaving Islam) and "blasphemy" against Mohammed will be abolished and that new converts can give testimony to their faith without fear of repercussions.
7. Pray for churches in communist lands that they can be strong in the face of government oppression.
8. Pray for churches in Latin America, that they will act with wisdom and maturity amid rapidly changing social, religious and political realities.
9. Pray for churches in the former Soviet Union, that new political and legal freedoms will be preserved and that believers will remain steadfast when encountering discrimination and harassment.
10. Pray that leaders of democratic countries will have the courage to speak out regarding this pernicious violation of human rights.
11. Pray that Westerners, especially Christians, will be aroused, their consciences seared, and that they will no longer tolerate the persecution of their brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith.

GRA Missionaries

Pray that the native missionaries in Africa and Asia will remain strong in the Lord against the growing persecution and AIDS epidemic in this region.

Pray that they will continue to be strengthened against torture and hatred.

Pray that the churches established in these region will remain strong and active against the death of several people, both young and old through the dreadful HIV/AIDS disease.

Pray that the Lord will reveal to you how and where you need to support the very important basic projects of GRA this year 2004

Pray for the 1 million individual whom the Lord has stirred to support the ministry of GRA in reaching the unreached nations of the world that they will respond to the leadings and the promptings of the Holy Spirit.