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Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
In response to terrorist attacks in Paris a few years ago, protestors looted and burned more than forty-five churches, homes, and Christian property in Niger. The Nigerien Christians still came together to worship the following Sunday. In some instances, believers were at the site of their church a day after the destruction. Many lost everything.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
In 2015 over a dozen Coptic Christians knelt on a Libyan beach dressed in orange jumpsuits with their hands cuffed behind them. On cue all of the victims were pushed to the ground and beheaded by Islamic jihadists.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Persecution of Christians at the hands of rebels has forced tens of thousands of men, women, and children to flee for their lives. The Archbishop of the Syriac Orthodox church said that the capture of Qaraqosh, Iraq’s largest Christian city, by ISIS marked a turning point for believers in the country. He said:
They are killing our people in the name of Allah . . . They have burned churches . . . They are occupying our churches and converting them into mosques.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Father, we pray for believers around the world who are being persecuted. Our hearts go out to those who are fleeing for their lives, leaving everything behind. Lord, please be with the families of those who have given their lives instead of renouncing Your name. Please protect Your children around the world. As we pray for them we pray for us. Don’t let us grow hardhearted and soft. Help us use our freedom to live for You and honor You in a way that impacts all those in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pray with us for persecuted Christians. Send your prayers to prayer@ronmoore.org.
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