Lord, we thank you for coming into our world as the light and the way. We ask that you help us understand your word through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and open our hearts and minds so that we may incorporate your word into our daily lives. We know we can do all things through you. Jesus, we thank you for your peace and comfort. Your wisdom, guidance, grace, and forgiveness. Your provision, blessings, and healing. You are our rock and salvation. Please help us to see your blessings in our lives and give us a spirit of gratitude to you and for you…in Jesus’ name, we pray.

– Amen

This week, we wanted to bring to your attention the horrific persecution of Christians worldwide. Whether it’s soft persecution like in the West (USA, Canada, Australia, UK, EU) or aggressive persecution in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

The Bible tells us in scripture, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” – Matthew 5:10-12, “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake; endure to the end” – Matthew 5:10-12, or “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” – 2 Timothy 3:12, and more!

It is clear that we will be persecuted for our faith in the Lord. It is also clear that we are called to help those persecuted. Matthew 5:44, which instructs us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”.

Here are a few high-level stats from the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule

• 18,000 Christian Churches burned since 2009
• 50,000 Christians Martyred (Murdered) since 2009
• 5 Million Christians Displaced Since 2009
• 7,000 Christians Martyred (Murdered) in 2025 alone!

Christianity is the largest world religion, and its adherents live across the globe. Approximately 10% of the world’s Christians are members of minority groups that live in non-Christian-majority states. The contemporary persecution of Christians includes the official state persecution, mostly occurring in countries that are located in Africa and Asia because they have state religions (Communist/Socialist) or because their governments and societies practice religious favoritism. Such favoritism is frequently accompanied by religious discrimination and religious persecution.

According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom‘s 2020 report, Christians in Burma, China, Eritrea, India, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Vietnam are persecuted; these countries are labelled “countries of particular concern” by the United States Department of State, because of their governments’ engagement in, or toleration of, “severe violations of religious freedom”.^[15]: 2 The same report recommends that Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, the Central African Republic, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Sudan, and Turkey constitute the US State Department’s “special watchlist” of countries in which the government allows or engages in “severe violations of religious freedom”.^[15]: 2

Much of the persecution of Christians in recent times is perpetrated by non-state actors which are labelled “entities of particular concern” by the US State Department, including the Islamist groups Boko Haram in Nigeria, the Houthi movement in Yemen, the ISIS- Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province in Pakistan, al-Shabaab in Somalia, the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Islamic State as well as the United Wa State Army and participants in the Kachin conflict in Myanmar.^[15]: 2

As we start our journey toward the end of 2025, we ask that you consider making a donation (we DO NOT get paid in any way for advocating this) or find some other way, even if it is simply sharing this post, to help our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted and martyred as you read this.

Here is a list of organizations that help and support persecuted Christians around the world. Again, we are NOT affiliated with these organizations, but they are the largest supporters of persecuted Christians worldwide. Please consider supporting one or more of these organizations. We, as the body of Christ, are called to support our brothers and sisters around the world.

God Bless You!

• HELP THE PERSECUTED – https://htp.org/
• THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION – https://www.ncfgiving.com/
• OPEN DOORS ORGANIZATION – https://www.opendoors.org/
• VOICE OF MARTYRS – https://www.persecution.com/

Also, please write your government representatives and encourage them to support Christians worldwide and stop the persecution of our faith! Bring awareness to this terrible challenge.