Loving not their lives
By the time he was six years old, Wagdi Iskander had memorized the entire Qur'an. Elders of his Sudanese camel-herding tribe decided the children who knew the Qur'an should go to school. After they told the children about boxes on wheels called "cars" and ropes hanging from buildings carrying "electricity," the imam spoke.
Iskander was filled with hatred for Christians, hatred that led him to zealously beat, harass, and attack Christians for years.
This story is not unique. Jesus warned His disciples, "if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." And although North American Christians rarely experience persecution, believers continually suffer and die for the gospel around the world. Only in recent history have Christians enjoyed relative freedom, and only in certain countries. Every year, 105,000 Christians are killed for their faith–one every five seconds.
After years of beating a Christian who persistently shared the gospel with him, Iskander became a Christian, a serious crime in Sudan. He was thrown in jail and scheduled for execution, along with two friends.
"Many times I wanted to call the guard to tell the judge, 'I am a Muslim,'" he shared during a recent conference on persecution, "but how could I deny the One who loved me, who died for me?"
Stories are plentiful of God's miraculous provision and strength helping persecuted believers, but as Iranian-born Gilbert Hovsepian relates, "there is also another side to it, a constant battle of loneliness, fear, doubt, confusion, tears, and pain."
Surprisingly, many persecuted Christians are not praying persecution will end. Iskander explains that persecuted believers feel honoured to suffer for Christ. Believers in the United Arab Emirates told him, "don't ask western Christians to help us get out. Tell them to pray that we will die faithfully."
Similarly, Chinese believers told Peter Jardine, chairman of The Voice Of The Martyrs Canada (VOM), "Stop praying for persecution to end; it's growing and strengthening the Church. We are praying that western churches experience persecution because they are so weak."
VOM volunteer Stephen Priddle says, "many Christians say, 'I don't want to talk about persecution, I don't want to think about it.'" It is painful to think about, and our busy schedules quickly push aside the memory of our suffering brothers and sisters.
The author of Hebrews challenges us, "remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." This passage describes active remembrance; but what can we really do?
Praying for persecuted believers brings dramatic results. Choose a restricted country and schedule regular prayer times—better yet, pray for specific persecuted believers by name. Ask God to give them love for their persecutors, help them understand and grow in faith, that they stand firm and walk faithfully through suffering to whatever end. Ministries like VOM provide the information you need to start praying today.
Another simple, yet powerful way of supporting persecuted believers is writing letters. Even when letters get intercepted, the persecutors often read them and are impacted by God's love.
Sending letters to families of imprisoned believers encourages them and sometimes they can smuggle letters into the jail.
On one occasion, Iskander received a "letter sandwich." "That letter was such a delight. I read it every time I entered my cell. It is a tremendous comfort knowing you are not forgotten, someone is praying."
Persecuted believers are seldom able to respond, but continue praying and know that God is working powerfully. Although Iskander's two friends were executed, he was able to make a miraculous last minute escape and went into hiding until 1985 when he flew to England. In 1988 Iskander came to Canada and has pastored Arabic churches in Calgary and Edmonton.
You might also consider donating to a ministry like VOM. When parents are jailed or severely beaten, they cannot provide for their family. Donating to ministries that provide Bibles and basic necessities helps.
Remember the words of Jesus, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Persecution in Canada
Persecution is not just a problem in the developing world; it's happening right here, in Canada.
"Canada has undergone a massive secularization," says Janet Buckingham, a lawyer well-versed in persecution issues and an associate professor at Trinity Western University. "Society perceives Bible-believing Christians as unintelligent, uneducated troublemakers."
A few examples: In 2011, an Ontario judge sentenced pro-life activist Mary Wagner to more than six months in jail, telling her, "your God is wrong."
In 2010, Carleton University students were arrested for holding signs on school property, displaying pictures of aborted babies.
Trinity Western University has undergone lengthy legal battles to accredit their programs because students and staff are required to sign a code of conduct asking them to refrain from homosexual activity.
Across Canada, homeschooling families have been investigated by Children's Aid Societies, especially in Quebec, where Christians have gone through emotional court battles to keep their children.
In February 2013, Thomas Mulcair, leader of the Official Opposition, made a statement that evangelical Christian beliefs are "completely against" Canadian law and values.
Here's how you can help:
Christians who stand up for their beliefs are often vilified by the media. When you come across stories attacking Christians, stop and pray they would love those persecuting them and stand firm, upholding the gospel.
Write letters and e-mails, encouraging vilified and jailed believers that you are praying for them.
Share your concerns with your MP or MPP, highlighting current issues or court cases, and ask them to defend religious minorities.
Refuse to compromise your values. Respectfully stand up for your beliefs and be prepared for persecution. As you do, pray for faith and strength to obey God.
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