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2013-12-03

Secret Church

Secret Church

UPGs and Persecution: Neither the Chicken nor the Egg (1/3)

Posted: 03 Dec 2013 01:00 AM PST

This is the first of three posts examining the relationship between unreached people groups and persecution, represented respectively in the maps above.

It doesn’t take an expert eye to see outstanding similarities in the two maps above. In fact, one could easily assume that, with a slightly different color scheme, each map measures the same thing. But this is not the case… at least not primarily.

The first shows unreached people groups (UPGs), red representing areas in which people groups are least reached. (“A people group is unreached when the number of Evangelical Christians is less than 2% of its population.” For more information on people groups, unreached people groups, and unreached unengaged people groups, check out the International Mission Board – Global Research.) The second marks the countries of the world in which Christians are most persecuted for their faith, red representing the countries in which it is most severe. The overlap between the two maps won’t let us ignore the apparent link. But just how exactly are they linked, and what does it mean?

It could be that unreached peoples exist because of persecution. Both common sense and history will tell us that many unreached peoples persecute the gospel messengers attempting to bring them the good news. Clearly unwelcome, Christians stop going to the persecutors (whether from inability or fear), and they remain unreached.

However, it could also be the case that persecution exists because people are unreached. After all, Christians are persecuted by the unreached because the unreached are enemies of Jesus (Matt 12:30), and by extension, of his followers also.

The reality of these two scenarios – both equally true in their own right – are evidence that these two maps and the phenomena they represent are more intertwined than any simple cause-and-effect analysis could reveal. Our exploration into the relationship between UPGS and persecution, then, should not center around the question of “which came first?”
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Pray for Christians Traumatized by a Rebel Attack

iCommitToPray

Dec. 03, 2013 | Syria

Pray for Christians Traumatized by a Rebel Attack

Thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes and dozens were killed on Oct. 21 when an Islamist group linked to al-Qaida stormed the historically Christian town of Sadad. Islamist rebels robbed those who were fleeing of money, documents and other valuables. They looted and destroyed many homes, businesses, schools and other public buildings, and they attacked church buildings, marking them with insulting graffiti. Government forces re-captured Sadad on Oct. 28, enabling Christians to return to their homes. When they returned, they discovered a mass grave filled with almost 40 bodies.


 VOM is providing assistance to Christian refugees in Syria.
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2013-11-27

Secret Church

Secret Church

Christians in Afghanistan Share Twelve Ways to Pray

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 07:59 AM PST

This post originally appeared as an Open Doors prayer update.

*Representative photo used to protect identity.

In light of the plight of Iraqi Christians after American troops left, the impending withdrawal of the international military presence in Afghanistan in 2014 raises new concerns for the small community of believers in Afghanistan as the country transition into a “new Afghanistan.” With more than 30 million Afghan Muslims and only several thousand Christians, these faithful followers of Christ and the country of Afghanistan are in great need of prayer. Join Afghan Christians as they pray daily for God’s church in Afghanistan, small in number, but mighty in the power of the Lord.

  1. There are no church buildings in Afghanistan and many Christians are cut off from underground networks of believers. They feel isolated and unsure whom to trust. Pray that the underground church would grow in unity and in numbers.
  2. Afghanistan is third on the 2013 World Watch List for good reason. Christians are extremely vulnerable. Their families feel compelled to save the family honor by forcing believers to reconvert to Islam. If these efforts are unsuccessful, Christians may be disowned, banished, abused, kidnapped or even killed. The authorities and extremist groups form another threat to the lives of Christians. Pray for the safety of Christians and for strength to remain faithful in the midst of their persecution.
  3. As allied troops pull out next year, uncertainty surrounds the possible scenarios that could play out. The government may feel the need to work together with extremist groups, or an extremist group could entirely take over the government. Scenarios in which the freedom of religion increases are not very probable apart from God’s intervention. Pray that the transition to a “new Afghanistan” will go smoothly and that local Christians will miraculously have increased opportunities to meet each other.
  4. Pray that presidential election in 2014 would not result in civil war.
  5. Pray for peace negotiations with the Taliban, that their power would be broken and this war-ravished country would know peace.
  6. Women in Afghanistan have few rights; many are denied even basic education or medical care. They are often neglected, abused and mistreated, and authorities offer no protection. Pray that Afghan women would be protected and honored, and that, through the saving power of Christ, they would know the love of our Father in heaven.
  7. According to the 2012 Corruption Perception Index, Afghanistan is grouped with Somalia and North Korea as one of the three most corrupt countries in the world. It is also one of the biggest exporters of drugs. The corruption and drug trade threaten the development of Afghanistan, even as they bind countless people in dependence on this “shadow economy.” Pray that Christ would break the power of corruption and drugs, and that the Christians’ lives of godly integrity would be beacons of hope.
  8. Thank God for the many Afghans who are listening to Christian radio stations or downloading Christian materials from the Internet. Some are genuine, and often isolated, believers; others are disappointed with Islam and want to know more about Jesus Christ. Pray that God would change lives as the Word is preached through these media outlets.
  9. Every year Christians lose their lives for their faith. Though these “persecution incidents” are often not reported, the pain and trauma facing those who are left behind are immense. Pray that God would comfort the families of martyrs and strengthen their faith so they can endure in these difficult times.
  10. Join Afghan Christians in praying for terrorists, extremists and others who oppose Christianity there and in the West. Pray that God would touch their hearts and draw them to Himself through His great love and mercy, and that their zeal would be for the worship and service of Christ.
  11. Pray for awakening and breakthrough among Afghans. Pray that those who are lost will be saved by Christ.
  12. Pray that God will raise up mighty warriors among indigenous believers to fight for Christ’s kingdom by praying, preaching the Word, and making disciples.
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