IDOP

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

We have so much to be thankful for, yet we take most of it for granted. Christians around the world are persecuted horribly for their faith. The fighting in Sudan, north vs south, is also Arab Muslim vs African Christians. The Christians now have oil, and the Muslims want it.

In India, in the last 60 days, 60 Christians have died, 18,000 injured, 4,500 homes and churches burned, and 50,000 homeless.

In China, all churches must register. Once registered, the government tells you what to preach, who your pastor will be, etc. Of course, Christians don't get promotions, or good jobs, or any kind of assistance. Children under 18 are not allowed to go to church, receive any sort of religious education, or read a bible.

In some 'Christian' nations, the predominate church, whether it be Orthodox or Catholic, pressures the local government to restrict the activities of evangelical churches. No in-home bible studies. No public revival meetings. Things like that are used to keep their hold on the people.

Whether it be atheist, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or other Christians, this is all persecution. We need to remember our brothers and sister in chains.