Pray for Persecution

Persecution used to be such an obscure word to me. It made me think about the New Testament times when apostles would be beaten, imprisoned, exiled, or crucified upside down. Persecution seemed distant, like a thing of the past. Kind of like slavery - something that was abolished years ago and no longer exists, right? 

But the reality is slavery and persecution still exist. More than just exist, they are normal life for the majority world. In the "Insanity of God" by Nik Ripken (a highly recommended book and movie), an inspiring and challenging story about Christian persecution, most believers in the world are so familiar with persecution that they consider it as normal as the sunrise. Believers aren't even considered true or trustworthy until they have been persecuted. 

Oh what a stark contrast compared to my easy, church-going, persecution-free Christian life. 

Living in Burkina Faso has brought persecution a little closer to home. I would still never say I myself have experienced persecution, but I now know people who have. I know people who were rejected by their families, threatened, even beaten by loved ones, because of their conversion and commitment to Christ. They tell these stories with smiles on their faces because they have found a greater joy. 

A recent outbreak of persecution occurred in a nearby region when a Christian woman refused to practice certain traditional animistic funeral rites. Around the same time, many Christians refused to contribute to a community cause to celebrate the dead with sacrifices and dark rituals. All of this upset the village chief and leaders to the point that they closed down some churches. When the believers still met anyway, they came and stole all their bikes and motos - their only form of transportation. 

The local church leaders and pastors had several prayer-focused meetings over the course of several days to discuss how to handle the situation, and they came to several conclusions together. "We aren't called to please men, but God," one church leader said. "Persecution happens when faith is real." And he's right. Because the Christians are starting to stand up against idolatry instead of trying to live according to both standards, the local authorities are getting upset. If the traditional leaders were totally okay with how Christians were living, then something would be terribly wrong. 

We are called to stand out, like salt, like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. 

The dagara Christians are starting to stand out instead of blend in, which means their faith is real. Which means persecution is happening, and it's a good thing. 

After the meetings, the Christians decided to ask forgiveness from the local leaders for not paying and participating in the traditional religious practices, but they explained why and stood their ground on their beliefs. 

I called one pastor the following Sunday to see if the church met and how it went. "Of course we met!" He said as if my question was absurd. "And lots of people came?" I asked, afraid that persecution might make believers hesitant to come to church, especially if they thought their bikes might be confiscated. As it turns out, persecution often makes believers even more bold and determined. The church gathering was large on that Sunday, and their church service happened just like normal with no further interruption from the village authorities. 

The tendency is to pray against persecution, isn't it? But I wonder if we shouldn't pray for it. We ought to pray for a faith so outstanding and radical that it merits persecution, and we know from history that persecution not only strengthens but spreads the church. 

So pray. Pray for these persecuted believers and churches not only in Africa but in countries all over the world where persecution is so much worse than being beaten or having a bike stolen. But don't pray for the persecution to stop. Pray for the believers to rise strong. Pray for faith to withstand all pain. Pray for the gospel to bear fruit in all suffering. Pray for the church to spread like wildfire and for the kingdom of God to rush forth because of persecution. And pray for comfortable Christians to wake up and stand out. 

"May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of his sufferings," (Moravian missionaries) and may we joyfully share in his sufferings.