While many are gearing up for Halloween, which speaks of ghosts, costumes and receiving candy, there is a segment of the Christian church who will focus on prayer for persecuted Christians. This year, Nov. 1 has been designated by “Voice of the Martyrs” as a Day of Prayer to pray for Christians who are being persecuted in many different parts of the world.
Human rights issues are a great concern in our world today, with our news being filled with violence pitting one group against another. Because of that, there is much violence against people of many faiths in many different parts of the world. Consequences of that violence are the thousands of refugees who flee their homes and nation out of fear for their very lives.
Much of this violence stems from religious violence where one religion tries to destroy another religion by destroying or driving out its people. I, as a Christian pastor, have been asked by many people in the past, “if God is a God of love, why is there so much violence in the name of religion?”
There are a lot of complex answers to that question that involves many different individual situations. However, I am reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel, 5:43-44, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. . .” Jesus is not about hating others or violence toward others, but about loving our enemies and even loving and praying for those who persecute us. Those who would take up the sword and say they are representing Christ by killing, I do not believe are representing Christ or Christian love. Our calling as Christians is to share the gospel with all people so they can find forgiveness and peace within, and have what Jesus called “abundant life.” It is not for us to kill or destroy, but to share life.
On November 1st, many Christians and churches will take time in their worship services to pray for persecuted Christians in many different places throughout the world. In those prayers, we will pray for those suffering, to continue to be faithful and to find strength and assurance in God. And we will pray for the persecutors that they will have a change of heart and that they can find spiritual peace from God. Oftentimes, our prayers for others result in putting action to our prayers by helping those in need in various ways.
I have met refugees who have come to the United States fleeing religious persecution because of their faith. My son interviewed a young man who fled from his war-torn country. He had experienced incredible violence and had lost family and friends to death. He had come to America to escape that violence. Though he was in a new country with new opportunities, he still suffered the memories and emptiness of his losses. He still had nightmares of the violence he had seen. His story helped me understand what others might be going through and to be sensitive and compassionate to their needs. It gave me an awareness of something more I can do besides pray.
Let us remember to pray for those who are suffering persecution and violence in so many parts of the world. As many are thinking of getting loads of candy this month, maybe we can think of giving of ourselves for the benefit of others.
• Dan Wiese is the pastor of the Church of the Nazarene.
