The Five Minute Challenge: Everybody’s Got Time for Dat!

Today is Day 2 of prayer for the persecuted church.  I am hoping you have joined us by now. No?

Well, why not begin today with something easy and simple. Start with the 5 minute challenge. Everybody’s got time for dat!

All kidding aside,

• In 2012 1,201 Christians or an average of 100 a month were killed because they were Followers.

• At least 100 million Followers live in areas where they are persecuted for their faith. Another 400 million are at risk.

• 75% of the world’s population lives under religious restrictions, Christians are the largest persecuted group of people.

In 2013, the top ten countries ranked according to their harsh treatment to Christians are

1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Afghanistan
4. Iraq
5. Somalia
6. Maldives
7. Mali
8. Iran
9. Yemen
10. Eritrea

For the complete list of the top 50 countries for 2013, go to Open Doors: World Watch List

How should we pray? Pray for boldness and strength. Pray for endurance. Pray that we will all live out the words and actions of Christ which are, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15: 12-13).

Pray that we will not be afraid to share the good news. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).