Persecution of Christians in Europe
Europe is increasingly the front line in the clash of Islam and Western societal values. As Muslim populations migrate to Euopean countries, stress cracks are appearing as the secular authorities in these nations attempt to deal with irreconcilable differences.
One of the most recent examples of this stress has been the uproar arising from Switzerland's ban on minarets. The world ignores the burning of Christian churches in many Muslim countries while the Swiss restriction on mosque towers is lamented by the media as a lamentable sign of religious intolerance.
Persecution by Muslims in Europe is commonly directed toward those of their own community who hear the the Good News of Jesus Christ and want to leave the bondage of Islam. The alarming rise of Orwellian-named "honor killings" attest to the degree to which European Muslims seek to escape the darkness of Islam.
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Europe
Convert Threatened by Brother
The brother of a TURKISH Muslim background Believer threatened to kill her with a metal rod if she did not return to Islam. After much pressure from her family, she spoke the Islamic creed. She sincerely regrets her action and wants never to deny her Lord again.
Pray that God will strengthen her. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.”
Christians’ Trial Delayed
UPDATE: The trial of two Christians in TURKEY continues to be delayed, despite the total lack of new evidence at the most recent hearing. They were accused of “insulting Turkishness” by trying to convert others to Christianity.
Pray that God will give them endurance in this trial that has lasted for many years. “May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!”
Believers on Terrorists’ List
In TURKEY, a terrorist organization that plotted to assassinate leaders of non-Muslim communities we now learn had the names and addresses of 14 missionaries.
Thank God that the group was caught and pray for missionaries’ protection. “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things, such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.”
Believer in Danger of Deportation
An American in TURKEY is in danger of being deported for “offending the Turkish people.”
Pray that God will protect this believer and that he will be able to stay in Turkey with his wife and children. “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Islamic Gang Violence in UK
In the UNITED KINGDOM Muslim gangs in prisons are creating a growing problem. One former prison inmate has admitted his violence toward anyone who dared to “disrespect” his religion.
Pray for God’s protection for Christian converts in the prisons. “For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them He has set the world.”
Teenager Forbidden to Attend Church
In the UNITED KINGDOM, a Christian foster care worker was deregistered when a 16-year-old Muslim converted to Christianity under her watch. The MBB attended church on her own initiative and decided to be baptized, but officials say she must stay away from church for 6 months.
Pray that she will grow in her new faith. “For God . . . has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Landlord Raises Christian’s Rent
In TURKEY, a Christian’s landlord questioned him after seeing him give away Christian literature. Shortly afterward, the landlord raised the family’s rent more than expected.
Pray that God will continue to provide for this believer and enable him to continue proclaiming the good news of Jesus. “A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He.”
Teacher Suffers Verbal Abuse
Muslim students verbally abused a teacher in the UNITED KINGDOM. He tried to stop them from proclaiming in his class that they hate Jews and Christians. They lauded suicide bombers and called believers their enemies. He says the school’s hostility and refusal to take action gave him clinical depression, and now he has lost his job.
Pray for encouragement for the verbally persecuted. “It is the LORD who goes before you.”
Letter from Turkey asking for Prayer
As you may have already seen, our Facebook page has a virtual event for the upcoming global day of prayer for Turkey. Here at Smyrna we do a lot of writing about the persecuted church, so it is exciting to receive writing from the persecuted church. This letter from the other side of the world begins, “Greetings from the church in Turkey--from the land of Noah, of Abraham, of Paul, of Ararat and Harran, of Antioch, Ephesus, Galatia, of the Seven Churches of Revelation . . .
Trial of Christians Delayed
UPDATE (12/10/06): Over three years ago, two TURKISH Christians were accused of “insulting Turkishness and Islam.” Their trial continues to be delayed, with another hearing set for May 25.
Please pray for patience for these longsuffering Christians and pray that the courts will acquit them. “So that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”
