2 Timothy 2:8-13 (ESV) 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.11 The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful—
More ‘killed for faith’ in Syria in 2013 than in whole world during 2012
The civil war in Syria has been especially deadly for the country's dwindling Christian population.World Watch Monitor
Nearly twice as many Christians died for their faith in the past year
than in 2012, according to Open Doors International’s 2014 World Watch
List.
Open Doors International, a charity that supports Christians under
pressure for their faith, said 2,123 Christians were reported to have
been killed during the 12 months ending Oct. 31, 2013. That compares to
1,201 during the previous 12 months. During the most recent period, more
Christians were killed in Syria alone than were killed globally in the
previous year.
The World Watch List, which annually monitors the media worldwide for
all reported incidents, emphasises that this is the “very, very
minimum” count – only those who have been documented as killed.
Beyond those killed, the World Watch List recommends that three more
categories of Christians should be considered: Christians whose death is
never reported; Christians killed due to increased vulnerability, such
as those in conflict areas; and Christians who die due to long-term
discrimination.
Taking these into account, as well as those whose deaths are reported
by the media, the World Watch List suggests Schirrmacher’s estimation
is roughly accurate, although the figure may be higher still.
“Christians aren’t always directly killed, but are so much squeezed
with regulations and vulnerabilities that they just perish – not at
once, but in the course of years. If we would include them in the
counting, it would be an enormous number of people. However, the precise
number of Christians who die due to these factors is very difficult to
quantify,” according to the World Watch List.
Not surprisingly, Syria heads the list of the countries in which the
most Christians were killed for their faith (1,213), followed by Nigeria
(612), Pakistan (88) and Egypt (83).
Of the top 10, six are in Africa – with Kenya (20), Angola (16),
Niger (15) and the Central African Republic (9) joining Nigeria and
Egypt on the list.
The World Watch List states that the number of Christians killed in
the Central African Republic is especially likely to have been
under-reported because “most analysts still failed to recognise the
religious dimension of the conflict”. The list says the same is true of
North Korea, where “it is extremely difficult to get public
information”.
Beyond the number of Christians killed, the World Watch List focuses
upon other instances of violence, including: physical aggression;
threats; the destruction of churches or other Christian buildings;
attempts to destroy churches or Christian buildings; the closure of
churches or Christian buildings; house expulsion or destruction; kidnap
for ransom or intimidation; sexual assault; arrests; and displacement.
Considering only the sum of violent incidents recorded, Egypt (167) tops the list, followed by India (125) and Nigeria (118).
Open Doors has been active in Syria since before the war. They are helping the church in Syria to care for thousands of families in desperate need. "I believe the Lord has been preparing the church for this day," says Pastor Edward in Damascus. "Who else can give hope and really spread peace other than our Lord?"
The church in Syria is asking for your help. Please join other Christians to speak out, provide emergency relief and pray for our brothers and sisters in Syria.
The church in Syria is on its knees. Will you stand with them in their darkest hour?
Over 100 million Christians around the world suffer persecution, violence, discrimination, abuse, imprisonment, or even death because of their faith in Jesus. But they've counted up the cost and believe that Jesus is worth it all! Stand with them in prayer during IDOP, 3 to 10 November 2013.
Open Doors UK, with help from popular worship band Rend Collective
Experiment, have provided an emotional, encouraging and challenging
video on the persecuted church and the bold declaration that they have
made... "Jesus is worth it all"
The World Watch List (WWL) is a ranking of 50 countries where persecution of Christians for religious reasons is worst. First of all, the list covers persecution of Christians of all denominations in the entire country. The focus is on persecution for their faith, not persecution for political, economic, social, ethnic or accidental reasons.
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the Jews.
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
And I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
And by that time, no one was left to speak up.
- A
poem attributed to Martin Niemoeller, an influential Lutheran pastor from World
War II, who was arrested and imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp for
withdrawing his support of Hitler, illustrates the importance of challenging
hatred and injustice.
"Something extraordinary is happening! Prayer groups are forming, disciples are being trained, and God's word is changing lives! Freedom is being pursued, and it begins with you! www.OpenDoorsUSA.org"
More info: www.OpenDoorsUSA.org
SHOCKWAVE is an exciting global prayer movement that focuses on uniting youth and young adults, from all over the world, together in prayer for the persecuted Church. Do not miss your opportunity to be part of the global SHOCKWAVE.
