This past Sunday November 6th was the international day of prayer for the persecuted church. We will be observing next Sunday November 13th as our day to pray for the persecuted church. According to the non-profit group, Open Doors, persecution of Christians has reached its highest levels in the nearly 30 years since the World Watch List has been collecting data. Over 360 million Christians (1 in 7) are currently living in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination for their identification with Jesus Christ. Nearly 5,900 Christians were killed for their faith this year; and more than that number detained without trial, arrested, sentenced, or imprisoned. Over 5,100 churches and church buildings were attacked. But this isn’t just about statistics. This is about people – like you and me; families – like your’s and mine; that are experiencing torture, imprisonment, being driven from their homes, deprivation, destruction or confiscation of property, and death – for holding fast to faith in Jesus Christ. During our service on Sunday, we will take time to remember our brothers and sisters from around the world who are undergoing persecution.
Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body (Hebrews 13:1-3).