As the new year begins, we look back to see what Christmas was like for the persecuted church. For many believers, this Christmas was a time of increased persecution.
In India alone, at least 18 incidents against Christians took place during the Christmas season, according to the Religious Liberty Commission (RLC) of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI).
“Both the frequency of the attacks and their intensity has increased in the past few years,” said the Rev. Vijayesh Lal, general secretary of the EFI and the national director of the RLC.
One attack took place in Kowad village, where 20 masked men carrying sharp weapons attacked a Christmas gathering on 23 December. Over a dozen Christians were injured, seven of which were taken into intensive care, with three undergoing surgery.
The attack may have been worse had it not been for the quick thinking of the Pastor’s 65-year-old mother.
“My mother had just ground fresh red pepper,” the local pastor said. “She took handfuls of the powder and threw it on the faces of the attackers. It got into the eye of one of the attackers, and they began to withdraw and fled.”
As we enter 2019, please continue to lift up the persecuted church in your prayers.
Please Pray:
- Pray for Christians who experienced persecution over the Christmas period.
- Pray with the church in India, that they will remain strengthened in Jesus Christ.
- Pray for persecuted believers in this new year, that they will continue to be the light of the gospel in the darkest places.
Stay updated with news from the persecuted church.
Source: Morning Star News