Lent with Our persecuted brothers and sisters
by Faith McDonnell, Katartismos Global:
In 2020 more than 340 million Christians worldwide experienced high levels of persecution. Global persecution watchdog organization Open Doors’ annual World Watch List, released in January, ranks the top 50 countries notorious for persecution of Christians. High-level persecution includes kidnappings, beatings, forced conversions/marriages, false imprisonment, loss of property, murder, and genocide.
World Watch List 2021 revealed a disturbing rise in persecution. The 2020 worldwide virus pandemic has increased the suffering of persecuted Christians in nations in which Islamist regimes and other anti-Christian governments have used the virus as an excuse for further oppression. Not only have Christians suffered from deprivation of employment, protective equipment, and relief aid. In some cases, such as China, Pakistan, and India, Christians have often been scapegoated for the pandemic.
Last year’s World Watch List reported 260 million Christians experiencing high levels of persecution. This year’s increase to 340 million means that 1 in 8 of all Christians worldwide is now being severely persecuted.
I invite you to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters during the six weeks of Lent.
See also:
Persecution Watch: RLC documents 11 incidents in the first 15 days of February, from Religious Liberty Commission of Evangelical Fellowship of India:
Why China is terrified of Christianity, by Benedict Rogers, UnHerd:
A forgotten genocide, from Barnabas Fund
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