What if there were a global war going on and nobody knew about it? It would be difficult at best to care about a war that we don’t know exists. Yet such a war does exist, and we the American church, know little to none about it. It’s a war of persecution against the name of Christ. Consider these statistics:
* 100,000 to 175,000 Christians are killed each year for their faith.
* It’s estimated by 2025, that number will grow to 210,000.
* More than 65 countries in the world openly persecute Christians
* North Korea has been the most persecuting country for the past 11 years. One prison camp alone houses 6000 Christians there.
* In countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, conversion from Islam to Christianity is a crime punishable by death. We have a great responsibility and privilege to pray for our brothers and sisters across the world. And that is exactly what they are: our brothers and sisters. “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”–1 Pet. 5:9