Christ Jesus prayed that all those who would believe in Him would be ONE, just as He and the Father are ONE; that they be brought to complete unity so that the world would know that He was sent by the Father. (John 17:20-23)
Thursday, January 21, 2021
13 CHRISTIANS ARE KILLED FOR THEIR FAITH - EVERY DAY
(Photo: Pastor Jeremiah’s village was attacked in April 2020 as part of a massive wave of deadly violence against Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.)
Friend,
By the time you go to sleep tonight, on average:
13 Christians will die
12 Christians will be unjustly arrested, detained or imprisoned
5 believers will be kidnapped
Just because they follow Jesus.
Research for Open Doors’ 2021 World Watch List reveals that more than 340 million Christians are facing high levels of persecution for their faith. Persecution against Christians has risen for 15 consecutive years.
In 2021, persecution is at its highest in modern history. Read our special report to discover what’s happening right now.
To be honest, I sometimes look at these statistics and the increases and think, Is what we’re doing making a difference? And then I remember that the work we’re all a part of is not about ending persecution. Since Brother Andrew smuggled that first Bible, it’s been about strengthening the Church.
The work we do helps believers to stand strong in the storm, to hold on to the promises of Christ and, ultimately, to make disciples to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28).
It is the Great Commission work Jesus has called all of His followers to do.
As persecution rises because the Kingdom is growing, our work increases as we equip more believers with Bibles, train church leaders, bring trauma counseling to grieving villages after violent attacks, provide survival aid and much more.
Will you commit to praying with us in 2021 as we move forward, joining God in the work He’s doing in the lives of His people?
We’re asking Christians like you to pledge to pray weekly with our persecuted family and if you haven’t already, download our mobile prayer app to receive urgent prayer requests from persecuted believers throughout the world. You can text PRAYER to 32500 to sign up.
Through your gifts and prayers, you let our brothers and sisters know that we are all part of one Family and one Church—even in the face of horrifying statistics.
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