THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
Each year in November, believers observe a special time of
prayer and intercession for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing
extreme discrimination, abuse, prison, or even martyrdom for their faith. We
invite you to join Christians around the world on November 7, 2021, for the
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
“Indeed, we felt that we had
received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves
but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and
he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf
for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many” (2 Corinthians
1:9-11, ESV).
Submitted by Lynne
Rienstra
, Regional Director, SAMARITAN'S PURSE
More than 300 million Christians live in countries where persecution of the Church is at very high or extreme levels. Samaritan’s Purse works in some of these difficult areas across the globe, often in places where Christians are a minority and face hardships for their commitment to Jesus—places like Niger and the Middle East.
We stand alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ by providing them with essential aid such as shelter, rental assistance, food, medical help, or vocational training. We also engage in construction projects for Christian families and for churches in need, as well as work with the persecuted Church in difficult countries through Operation Christmas Child.
When Samaritan’s Purse comes alongside local churches, we are fulfilling the key purpose of our organization: to serve the church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. As our brethren are strengthened, they take the Gospel to their communities with boldness.
Middle East Persecution Rises
Open Doors released its
2021 World Watch List, indicating an increase for several Middle Eastern
countries. Most notably, Turkey now ranks 25, moving up nine spots from last
year’s report.
Find out more at www.opendoors.ph
Turkey continues to face persecution
in the form of Islamic oppression, as with most other Middle Eastern countries.
However, increased violence, nationalism, and church conversions, along with
targeting of international Christians within its borders indicated a jump from
36 to 25. ICC previously reported on the challenges Christians face in Turkey,
highlighting the Hagia Sofia church conversion, political leverage of
Christians and the pushing of a Turkish identity that alienates and incites
violence against Christians.
Turkey’s international involvement and pressure also was cited as a reason for
Iraq’s move up four spaces to number 11. Violence, particularly towards
Muslim-Background Believers, is a key factor.
Persecution against Muslim-Background Believers also rose in Iran while jailing
and restrictions on the ability to express one’s Christian faith remained a
present threat. Iran moves up one spot to number 8 this year. The COVID-19
spread caused some jailed believers to be released while others cases were
continued out.
Egypt remained at spot 16. Notable changes were the move from the source of
persecution as Islamic oppression to dictatorial paranoia. ISIS and terror
threats are no longer the main threat against believers, according to the
report. Instead, persecution comes from neighbors, family members and the
community.
The largest decrease in rankings for the Middle East region was Algeria from 17
to 24. While the same issues of persecution against Muslim-Background Believers
and church closures remained, the decrease in violence caused Open Doors to
re-evaluate its rankings. However, daily life for Algerian Christians has not
drastically improved.
·
Pray
that all forms of persecution against Church and Christians in Turkey and the
Middle East would come to an end soon.
·
Pray
that the legal rights of all Muslim Background Believers in Turkey and the
Middle East would be restored in their countries and society.
·
Pray
that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be preached even more powerfully in the
midst of all these persecutions.
Source: https://www.persecution.org/2021/01/13/middle-east-persecution-rises-says-new-report/
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In the top 50 countries, there are at least one dozen of our
FBA supported
missionaries ministering in or to people in those countries.
PRAYER & PRAISE - November 3-9, 2021
11/3 Alan
& Lynee Ward
Wycliffe Bible Translators, USA
Nine teachers
participated this summer in the GECO teacher orientation that Lynee’s team
holds each year. Two are already teaching in Mexico and Cambodia, and several
others are busy building partnership teams so that they can go to Cameroon,
Mexico, and Papua New Guinea to teach. Praise God that Alan’s team released a
major update to four Roman fonts, Charis, Doulos, Gentium, and Andika, used by
hundreds of minority languages needing Bible translation in the Americas,
Europe, Russia, the Pacific, and much of Africa.
11/4 FOTIS & MARY
ROMEO
AMG
International, Greece
Special prayers requested for AMG International
Staff Retreat during Nov. 4-6; for the GHO medical team serving in Athens among
refugees during Nov. 12-21; and for a trip in the northern part of Greece for
various ministry projects during Nov. 26-28. Please also pray for Jonathan’s dismissal
from the Greek army after he completed his service (which is mandatory for all
Greek males.) Pray for an upcoming surgery on his dislocated shoulder.
11/5 Larry & Peggy
Anderson
Youth Outreach United, USA
Pray for Larry in the passing of his mother last week. Please
continue to pray that Larry’s strength would be returned. As recipients of your
prayers, the power and significance of prayer on behalf of other individuals
was greatly appreciated.
11/6 R & B
Central Africa
R
& B received approval both from Elliot's CF doctor and from TEAM to return
to their ministry country! They will arrive in early November. Pray for
them as they transition.
11/7
Bennett &
Idong Ekandem
North American Mission Board, USA
Please
pray for the newly arrived refugees to find healing in Christ Jesus. Also pray
that God will give Bennett & Idong wisdom to know how to minister to them
effectively. Pray for the children in
the Ekandems’ after-school program to accept Jesus into their hearts. Please
pray that the Lord will provide a permanent or long-term space so they can
assist more families consistently.
11/8
Tim & Kathy Cummins
Whirlwind
Missions, Inc., USA
Pray
for safety from Covid for the children they minister to in the apartments. All their
work with the children is outside, and they all wear masks. Pray for them
asking Jesus into the heart as their personal Savior. Pray that their ministry
and financial support will grow stronger. Pray for wisdom regarding
transportation needs and that someone may have a car they can use. Praise that
$3,500 has been raised toward a car.
11/9 Gary & Donna Ferch
Friends
in Action International, USA/Bolivia
One
year ago, Gary was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer which had spread to his
liver, lungs, and lymph glands. This was stage four inoperable cancer, due to
how far it had spread. His latest CT scan reveals that
the cancer appears to be in remission! The blood work also supports this
conclusion. This is a miraculous improvement in eight weeks of taking the new
chemo infusions. He will begin three more months of the new chemo treatment.
Pray that he can endure the side effects and for his healing.
“Therefore,
my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians
15:58 (NASB)
The monthly Prayer & Praise Calendar
is also available on FBA.org/GlobalMissions
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REMINDER
COLLECTION WEEK FOR OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
NOVEMBER 14 - 21
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