Church unites to pray for Christians in peril
MISSISSAUGA, ON—Canadians will join with Christians from 130 countries worldwide on November 8, in praying for their persecuted sisters and brothers around the world.
"We need to pray for the persecuted church," says Greg Musselman of The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). "We're part of the same body of Christ. We're part of the same family."
VOM is coordinating the event on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church in Canada, in partnership with Open Doors, Intercede International, International Christian Response and The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
Musselman says 80 per cent of Christians worldwide are living under some form of persecution.
"That's over two hundred million people," he says, "facing anything from discrimination or being ostracized because of their faith—for example not being able to get certain jobs or a proper education—to [being] tortured, beaten, having their children taken from them, or even killed. Tens of thousands die every year for Christ."
Along with encouraging prayer and promoting awareness, VOM provides practical help to persecuted Christians, including providing microloans, advocacy, education and legal defenses.
"We get involved where they need outside help," Musselman says. "We let them know people are praying for them too. When I talk to Christians who've gone though persecution they will say, first and foremost, that they want us to pray."
Recently, Musselman and others from VOM visited the Indian state of Orissa, where thousands of Christians are living in tent villages after widespread mob violence from Hindu militants drove them from their homes.
Musselman estimates about 2,400 Christian homes were destroyed and at least 260 churches burned to the ground. About 100,000 people were displaced because of the violence, and many were raped or beaten. "In some cases the hospital would not treat them because militants went in and threatened the doctors and nurses," Musselman says.
Although the official death toll was 67, Musselman believes hundreds were killed.
"For some their homes may still be intact, but they have to convert to Hinduism in order to return home. The sad reality is that some have."
Many displaced people now have to walk miles to get drinking water because wells near their homes are being guarded by militants.
Musselman is working on a documentary about the situation which will be available from VOM at the end of November.
"We heard dozens and dozens of stories," he says, "including meeting former Hindu militants who have converted to Christianity, and are now being persecuted by the very people they used to persecute with."
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