Yesterday while I was looking through the prayer requests, I noticed one posted by 333, which described the deaths of 1500 Christians in Nigeria by the hands of Muslim persecutors. (If you haven't seen that post yet, I strongly urge you to read it.) I was shocked and horrified and I did some further research on the subject. Here is an excerpt from an article I read:
The Christian Association of Nigeria issued a prepared statement that read, "How can anyone explain the reason for invading a church where women, children and men were worshipping, asking them to surrender and lie face down and then proceed to axe and machete them to death in their house of worship?"
While this is certainly a tragedy, this is far from the only time this kind of thing has happened. One website I read explained that in the 20th Century alone, more Christians have been martyred than in the previous 19 Centuries. In fact, on a different website they explained that an average of 465 Christians are murdered on a daily basis for their faith.
So my request would be that you all lift up your voices in prayer for our brothers and sisters who are dying around the world for what they believe in. Pray for their protection and for the Lord to guide them. May we also never forget the sacrifices our brothers and sisters are making around the world for you Lord, that we might learn something from their amazing faith.
"Blessed are you when [men] cast insults at you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me."
Matthew 5:11
The Christian Association of Nigeria issued a prepared statement that read, "How can anyone explain the reason for invading a church where women, children and men were worshipping, asking them to surrender and lie face down and then proceed to axe and machete them to death in their house of worship?"
While this is certainly a tragedy, this is far from the only time this kind of thing has happened. One website I read explained that in the 20th Century alone, more Christians have been martyred than in the previous 19 Centuries. In fact, on a different website they explained that an average of 465 Christians are murdered on a daily basis for their faith.
So my request would be that you all lift up your voices in prayer for our brothers and sisters who are dying around the world for what they believe in. Pray for their protection and for the Lord to guide them. May we also never forget the sacrifices our brothers and sisters are making around the world for you Lord, that we might learn something from their amazing faith.
"Blessed are you when [men] cast insults at you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me."
Matthew 5:11
We have such capacity to love, and an equal capacity to cause harm. 
To all those who suffer, and may the Lord have mercy. Peace. 
