Persecuted for our faith.

Paul wrote to his young son in the faith, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12. Do we in the western church really understand what it means to be persecuted for our faith?

Sometimes we think that having to live in a sinful world is the persecution we have to bear but throughout history many Christians were persecuted by the religious leaders of their day. Most westerners are not aware that Christianity is the most persecuted religion on the planet. It is illegal or severely restricted in 51 different countries. Fundamentalist Muslim nations, fanatical Hindu countries and hard-line Communist regimes are not shy about their hatred for Christianity.
Consider the following facts:

* It has been estimated that more Christians were martyred in the 20th Century than in the previous 1,900 years combined.

* There were more than 26 million documented cases of martyrdom in the 20th century alone.

* More than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day, and it is estimated that over half of these are children.

* It is estimated that between 150,000 and 165,000 Christians are martyred each year.

So what can we do? Take time to read about the persecuted church and then pray for them. Take time to pray Pat’s prayer for the persecuted church.