This is a simple introduction for those unfamiliar with the persecuted church.

First, a geography test.

1) Find Uzbekistan and Eritrea in 30 seconds.

2) Chiapas is a region in what country?

3) Which of these countries is not like the others?

a. Iran
b. Egypt
c. Indonesia
d. Pakistan
e. Kazakhstan
f. Afghanistan

I’m not an expert on religious freedom, human rights or even geography. However, as a former ex-patriot in some of these countries, I have a passion for the struggles of our brothers and sisters across the world. May this remind us our struggle is not against flesh and blood and, moreover, urge us to pray. To prayâ€"not because we feel guilty or have been emotionally manipulated, but because we love Christ, who inhabits each member of our global Family.

Here are a few things that have happened within the last month or two:

Kyrgyzstan: Mob beats a pastor in his home and burns Bibles while police do nothing.
Uzbekistan: Christians arrested, tortured and jailed. Pastors exiled or arrested.
Belarus: Government forces 1000 member church to close without reason.
India: Mob violence breaks up home meetings.
Indonesia: Girl survives attempted beheading, friends do not.
Vietnam: Pastor Beheaded After Refusing To Halt Church Services
Iraq: Islamic violence against Iraq’s Christian minority has increased in recent days killing at least two people

This is just a taste.

Some suggestions:
• Talk to a missionary. Odds are your church supports one and has their contact information, even if you don’t know any off-hand.
• Take a short term missions trip. Churches, schools and all sorts of organizations need people now!
• Go to Urbana ‘06 in St. Louis.
• Find a name and pray for themâ€"many well-known Chinese pastors are in jail, for example.
• Find a country and pray for it. Take your inspiration from the headlines if you have to. Or find a map and find a country you can’t pronounce.

Here are some resources I’ve found useful:

Forum18: A Norwegian religious freedom organization with current news and in-depth analysis.

Voice of the Martyrs: A good guide to what’s happening and what you can do about it

US State Department: The annual religious freedom report is out, covering every single country out there. I recommend the executive summary unless you have a specific country in mind. A great in-depth resource.

Operation World: A global prayer guide that’s as in-depth or as general as you want it to be.

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