Pray for a young man threatened for sharing His faith

We need to remember to pray for other Christians facing hard persecution, like this young man 'Musa'. For most Christians in other countries, to become a Christian could mean immediate death, if not rejection from family and friends. Sharing Christ is dangerous. We should be faithful to pray and stand with them.

Nov. 13, 2015 | Israel
Pray for "Musa," Threatened for Sharing His Faith

"After “Musa” told his sister about Jesus, his father threatened to kill him and kicked him out of their home. Musa, who grew up Muslim, came to faith in Christ several years ago without his family’s knowledge. Since then, he has often talked to his sister about Christ’s love, and his parents recently found out. “If you do not leave this home, I will slaughter you,” his father told him. “And if you do not take all your things, I will burn them.” Musa hopes to continue his evangelistic efforts in his home area. A VOM partner has found an apartment where he can live, and VOM is helping cover the cost. Our partner asks for prayers for his safety. “This man faced a lot of attacks from Satan recently, and he is still steady in his faith,” the partner said."

Political/ World Issues- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:"

Pray for Families of Women Killed for Faith

   May. 09, 2014 | Middle East

"On April 30 and May 1, three Christian women were killed in separate incidents by Muslim family members. A 38-year-old woman was shot to death by her two brothers shortly after they learned that she had been talking with a missionary over Skype and that she had a Bible. In a second incident, a man stabbed to death his 22-year-old sister when he caught her with a Christian CD. The woman had previously talked with her brother about Jesus. The man left his sister's body in front of a hospital before seeking treatment for his own hand wound at a government hospital. In the third incident, a man beat his daughter to death by hitting her on the head with a stone. He turned himself over to police and confessed to the killing, knowing that he probably would not face serious punishment. He reportedly told police that his daughter had continued to attend church despite his warnings. Please pray for those impacted by the women's deaths, their fellow believers, friends and loved ones. Please also pray for those leading this group of believers during this very difficult time."
Taken exclusively from the Voice of the Martyrs (www.persecution.com)

This is only one of many examples of the persecution that is being faced daily by Christian around the world. However, this particularly gripped my heart. So I wanted to share it with you as well. Honestly, I cannot quite fathom this completely- growing up in a Christian home, in a country, much blessed by religious freedom. My family, too, knows Christ. I am learning more and more, of the extremely precious value in this and yet how uncommon it is. Truly, I am blessed beyond words. So many only experience severe persecution or even death, from their relatives and others also, after converting to Christianity.

It is a relatively simple thing to say- we are willing to die for Christ. But it is another to live it. And although you may never have the opportunity to be literally "martyred" for the name of Christ, as these three women were, can you still say honestly that "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;" (Romans 1:16)? And yes, I used the word opportunity. I thank the Lord for the encouragement in seeing others willing to sacrifice themselves for Christ. And though, I am not in a similar place, I desire also, to have this same heart. And yet, it would seem beyond ironic to say "I am willing to die for the name of Christ"...if we are not also willing to live for that same name. And so I challenge you. To be a laid-down life. To be a consecrated heart towards God. To live for Him, who died for us. He is worthy.

"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (Hebrews 13:3)

Political/World Issues 

Christians have been persecuted for over 2000 years.  Persecution and martyrdom may bring to mind the time of Roman Emperor Nero, or perhaps the days of European crusades, or the past centuries when Christians were burned at the stake.  But, persecution is not only a thing or yesteryear for Christians but something quite real for our modern day.  In the Foxe's Book of Martyrs it is stated that "During  [the 20th century] alone, more Christians have been killed for their faith than in all the previous centuries combined." (323) *  What a statement!  And if you are familiar with the Voice of Martyrs you know that statement to be true.  The Modern Christian Church is persecuted in more than 40 nations around the world.  In many of these nations it is illegal to own a Bible, to share Christ, to teach your children of your faith.  Many Christians all over the world are, right now, facing arrest, torture and even death.  As a whole American's seem to be in total ignorance of these facts.  Some of these nations include:

China 
Eritrea 
Iran
Nepal
Pakistan 
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
 Vietnam

Just a while ago Prisoner Alert sent me an update on Alireza Seyyedian.  

This man was sentenced to the infamous Tehran's Evin prison in March of 2012.  Recently he was allowed a short parole home and his family was shocked at his health condition.  They described him as having a "blank state, trembling hands and symptoms of psychosis."; plus he also started vomiting and having seizures.  Slireza is serving a six-year prison sentence for one thing: for converting to Christianity. 

More on Aleriza Seyyedian

Just yesterday at church we were visted by a sweet man named Seth Samuel from India. He and his family have been teaching Christ to the Hindu people for 14 years on $50 a month.  He mentioned that he and other have had their Christian literature taken from them by force and burned.

So why talk about all of this negativity?  Because there is something we can do about it.
We can write letters to prisoners, or to the government officials responsible for holding these Christian prisoners.  We can share their stores through social media, we can stay informed, inform our friends and we can pray.  Hebrews 13:3 commands "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." 
Several ministries that have made this extremely simple are:

www.prinoneralert.com  (You can have your letters tranlated easily with this site)

www.persecution.com   (Stay informed and sign up for a free monthly newsletter)

H.E.L.P. Ministries                     (This is the ministry that sent Seth Samuel to us)

Resources: 


www.persecution.com
www.prisoneralert.com
Foxe's Book of Martyrs 

*Foxe, John, rewritten and updated by Harold J. Chadwick The New Foxe's Book of Martyrs, Gainesville, Bridge Logos Publishers 2001 Print click here to view