“Does Christian persecution still exist?” It’s a surprising question that I’m asked more often than you would expect, probably because mainstream media rarely mentions the persecution of people who have chosen to follow Jesus. If one didn’t know better, it would appear that Christian persecution has all but disappeared.
I’m here to tell you that persecution is alive and well. Yes, Christians are still being beaten, thrown in prison, stripped of their possessions, and even killed. Friends, it’s happening on greater levels than at any other time in recent history. I know this because I’ve seen it with my own eyes.
My first response at seeing these atrocities was anger. Seems like anger should be an appropriate reaction, right? Well, let me share a recent story that might change your mind.
Pioneering With Passion (PPM) Teams visit Christian refugee families and orphaned children who have fled war and oppression back in their home villages. They are trapped in remote regions, desperate to survive. Yet even in “safer areas”, these precious people are at risk from attack.
One of our teams was visiting a refugee community in Southeast Asia near an area where active fighting is taking place. As we were passing out food parcels, a mortar exploded close enough to shake the ground beneath our feet. Being suddenly thrown into a war environment can be incredibly frightening. And yet as scared as we were, we knew the 25 families and 100 orphaned children around us experienced that kind of fear on a daily basis. During our time of ministry, we asked if anyone would like prayer for fear. Almost all came forward, some literally running for the opportunity to be prayed over.
It was here where I felt the most anger. All around us were innocent lives caught up in a war that sought to eradicate tribes who refused to give up their freedoms. More than once the thought crossed my mind that I wanted those responsible for the fear to be eradicated. But something deep down told me there was a better way.
The book of Acts reveals an interesting tactic against persecution employed by Jesus after His resurrection. Saul was one of the greatest persecutors of early believers in Christ, but during one of his campaigns to destroy the church, Saul had a life-changing encounter with Jesus on a road leading to Damascus (Syria). His name was changed to Paul, a man who then became one of the greatest missionaries of all time (Acts 9).
Jesus could have killed Saul on that road, ending a wave of terror against the Church. Instead, Jesus changed the root (heart), and the resulting fruit of Paul’s life actually caused the Church to grow exponentially!
Can this happen again?
Jesus spoke these words in Matthew knowing that He would face horrific persecution: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matt 5:44). If Jesus commands us to do this, then redemption must be available for even the worst persecutors through the transformative love of Christ.
But it doesn’t mean it’s easy. Out there in that jungle, surrounded by victims of merciless persecution, feeling the ground shake with mortar fire, my last thought was to pray for the redemption of those responsible for the attack. I now know it should be the first thing I do.
Jesus, give us the strength to combat persecutors the most effective way possible - through Your powerful love.
Friends, I need you to stand alongside me as we pray for the redemption of those currently blinded by evil. I need your strength and encouragement to pray for the persecutors responsible for the fear we encounter in so many extreme loss refugees. I need your support as, despite fear and danger, we continue our mission to reach those who are losing hope from oppression.
Together, we can stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ and transform the darkness into light.