Tag: persecution

Here’s the intro of a 5 part series over at the Thirteen Three blog: “Our generation loves social justice, don’t we!? We genuinely believe that we can make an impact by righting some of the wrongs we see in the world today. As Christians, we are called to work for justice, to care for the poor, the oppressed and the needy […] You might assume that persecution falls into the poverty/justice category. But persecution is not a social justice issue. Let me tell you why.”

Check out each post… Why Persecution Is Not a Social Justice Issue:

1. Following Jesus is about dying
2. Jesus promises that His followers will be persecuted
3. God grows His church through persecution
4. We are not trying to stop persecution
5. A FINAL WORD: Are we against Social Justice?

It’s a really useful series of posts. It helps the Christian to see that persecution is the normal Christian life. Jesus said to expect it (John 15:20). Many Christians around the world experience it. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12 that “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Comfortable, middle-class and persecution-free is not the normal for the Christian.

The normality of persecution helps you respond rightly when it comes. Check out the apostles response to it in Acts 5:41 – “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” They don’t complain that their rights have been denied, rather they rejoice and then in v42 they go on and keep preaching Jesus!

For the past 8 days, Christians have been encouraged to pray for their brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. We were encouraged to pray for our sister Asia Bibi who has recently been sentenced to death in Pakistan (further coverage here and here). I’m encouraged by the perseverance of my persecuted family, and I’m also encouraged by a bunch of Christians 2000 years ago who persevered joyfully in the face of persecution. Read about it in Hebrews 10:

[32]But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, [33]sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. [34]For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. [35]Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. [36]For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. (Hebrews 10:32-36)

Here’s how I’m praying from these verses:

Continue reading “Praying for Christians Around the World”

During the week of praying for persecuted Christians, here is some breaking news from Pakistan. Read it, then pray. Copied with permission from Thirteen Three.

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Asia Bibi, a 37-year-old Christian Pakistani woman was sentenced to death on Monday 8 November 2010 for blasphemy. She is the first woman ever to receive the death sentence for blasphemy in Pakistan.

A Voice of the Martyrs spokesperson said, “We have 7 days to appeal this [decision to the High Court], which of course we will. This is very serious!”

No one sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan has yet been executed – but Asia could now spend years in appalling conditions in prison on death row. It may take years before her appeal is heard.

Asia was arrested in June 2009 after Muslims accused her of making derogatory comments against Islam’s prophet, Mohammed. Her trial lasted 16 months and the judge yesterday handed down to Asia the maximum sentence of death for the crime of blasphemy against Islam. Read more of Asia’s story here.

Voice of the Martyrs workers met with Asia last week to encourage and pray for her. During this meeting Asia said,

“It does not matter to me whether I am sentenced or whether the judge will set me free because I know that I am innocent and most of all I know that the Lord is with me. They persecuted Jesus also and the Bible says that they will persecute us as well.”

This is an URGENT call for us to be BOUND WITH THEM, to stand side by side with Asia in prayer, trusting that God can work in this terrible situation. This is what Thirteen Three is all about, mobilizing Australian youth to support Christians like Asia Bibi who are counted worthy of suffering for the Name of Christ.

Will you be BOUND WITH Asia Bibi?

Here are three things I am urging you to do right now to support Asia:

Continue reading “Christian Woman Sentenced to Death in Pakistan”