International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

"Blessed are they who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
-Matthew 5:10

Today was the nationwide "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church." I'm so thankful my church here in London is very missionally minded. They parter with a well-known organization in the UK called Open Doors (check out the website here) that supports persecuted Christians worldwide. Today for an hour after church a group got together and watched a video about China and then spent some time praying for Christians in various countries being persecuted.

One lady spoke about how we often view Christians in prison as inhuman people who feel no pain. But really Christians in prison are just like us, they are people who can be driven to despair and are often tempted to give up hope. Right now as I am sitting in my computer chair, or as you are reading this, there really are Christians around the world sitting in a prison cell crying out to God. The Lord burdened my heart in a way that He never has before to continue to pray for them. What if that was you in that cell one day? Wouldn't you want to know that brothers and sisters around the world were praying for you?

Here are some of the things we prayed for and I encourag you to pray for them as well:
-China: 40 million bibles are needed. Pray for couriers traveling to remote areas. Pray for Open Doors Literacy classes (many people in the small villages can't read). Pray for House Churches. Pray for Shi Weihan arrested in March for publishing bibles. He is no ill (diabetes with no medication) and severe weight loss. He is not allowed visits.
-Northern Nigeria: Husband stabbed to death and son decapitated as he went to his aid. Increased persecution-Churches burnt-houses of Christians set on fire-shops looted. Many killed. Women evicted by Muslim husbands.
-Eritrea: Over 2000 Christians in prison, many in shipping containers. Many are ill and some have died. Pray for Teame- Evangelist imprisoned in 2006-preached to fellow prisoners-tortured after some became Christians and now fears for his life. Is on the brink of despaire and not allowed family visits.
-India: Much violence in Orissa triggered by assassination of Hindu extremist-Police do nothing. Hundreds have fled-21 deaths, 114 attacks in Kandhamal district-400 churches history, and 500 homes demolished. 50,000 fled to the jungle.
-North Korea: Since 1995 well over 2 million have starved o death from years of famine, and another 300,000 have fled to neighboring China in search of food and freedom from tyranny. Successful escapees describe how pregnant women are subject to forced abortion, especally if the father of their child is Chinese. Female refugees captured and sold into sexual slavery. Pray for believers and that food will be distributed more fairly.