Matthew 5: 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. NIV
Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul in northern Iraq, was kidnapped by a group of Islamist terrorists, while returning home from Mass.He was tortured and killed by these terrorists. Today, the situation is not any better than it was in the times of Paulo Faraj Rahho. All over the world, there are cases of Christians being kidnapped and killed by terrorists. Leah Sharibu and Rev Lawan Andimi comes to mind.
Persecution seems alien to people in the West and those in Christian dominated areas. Some times, I've heard some believers talk as if those being persecuted for their faith in Jesus are not smart enough. This famous quote is apt and it speaks of the pain of persecution: “We, Christians of Mesopotamia, are used to religious persecution and pressures by those in power. After Constantine, persecution ended only for Western Christians, whereas in the East threats continued. Even today we continue to be a Church of martyrs”. We hardly think of being persecuted for our faith neither do we pray for those facing persecution. We owe the persecuted the duty of our supplications.
Persecution is not new. Now that it seems closer to us than ever, we should not see it as something that can be prayed away like we do demonic problems. Apostle Paul said: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2Tim 3:12). That's the word of God to believers in this generation. If Jesus and the apostles were persecuted, who are we to escape it? Persecution is not new, it is part of the salvation package.That's how we can test where you truly stand in the faith.
Father, I receive the grace to endure persecution when it comes and we remember all our brethren facing persecution all over the world, father comfort them and help them to stand in Jesus name.
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