“Persecution and martyrdom are not hindrances for the advance of the gospel, they are fuel for the advance of the gospel.” David Sitton, a missionary to Papua New Guinea
This perplexing, seemingly paradoxical statement has been on my mind lately. Often times, things we perceive as negative, God uses in great ways for the Kingdom. How does this work, you ask? How does persecution and martyrdom fuel the gospel? I think it has something to do with the nature of suffering. When life is hard, we draw close to God. The closer we are to God the more we get excited about God. The more excited we are about God, the more we want to reach out and share Him with others. I’m sure there are other ways, this is just the major avenue I could think of.
This is the prayer focus for February and I’m just posting it at the end of April. For a few months I was rather busy working and studying for my aviation maintenance licensing test. I praise God that I have finished well, and now have my certification. I hope to finish a post soon talking about that whole twenty-seven month process. Even though this is a bit late, I hope it is encouraging and inspiring none the less. Though it is a long article, I hope you read it to the end. It is certainly worth it.
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Today, I come before you to talk about the unreached Prayer Focus for the month of February. This month’s prayer focus is found in the Middle East. The War torn country of Afghanistan presents many challenges for prayer. The country is mostly Muslim, with a very small group of Christians, who are heavily persecuted. I used to think that persecution was a hindrance to the advance of the gospel. I have since learned different. David Sitton, a missionary to Papua New Guinea. has said well, “Persecution and martyrdom are not hindrances for the advance of the gospel, they are fuel for the advance of the gospel.”
Jesus demonstrated this reality to His disciples not long before His death. In Luke 21:12-13 Jesus, talking about the ending of days, says, “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness”.
"When Satan fell to earth, he fell in Kabul." This saying is sadly heard all too often in Afghanistan. Life in war-torn Afghanistan is hell on earth for many of its citizens. And for Christians, it's even worse. All Afghan Christians come from a Muslim background. If it becomes known that someone has converted to Christianity, he or she will face discrimination, hostility and severe persecution from their family, friends, community, local authorities and Muslim leaders. Due to this severe persecution, not a single official church remains in Afghanistan. Secret believers in Afghanistan are asking Christians worldwide to join them in prayer for their country.
It’s no surprise that the major religion in Afghanistan is Islam with 99.85% of the population. Only about 0.05% of the country is Christian. The country is comprised of about 68 people groups. Afghanistan has a population of about 29,117,000. The Official languages are Dari (Afghan Persian, spoken by 70%) and Pashtu (spoken by 50%). Out of the 43 languages in this country, there is but 1 Bible and 1 NT.
Prayer Points:
- Present Political Situation - a foreign military working with a national government that is trying to be both progressive and conservative - is far from ideal, but it is an improvement from the tyranny of the Taliban. The Taliban imposed a harsh brand of Islam on the nation and continue to be a threat to national stability and security.
- The church in Afghanistan remains almost entirely underground, despite a slight improvement in the situation since the fall of the Taliban.
- Afghan Believers. Their numbers are increasing, as are the resources available to help disciple them. They can never meet publicly and even their secret meetings must change times and locations to avoid detection. Pray for the protection of these precious believers and for the clarity and consistency of their witness.
- Afghans being reached by the Gospel. Most are devoutly Muslim, but many, uncomfortable with terrorist actions in Islam’s name are interested in discovering more about Jesus Christ. The long term presence of Christians working in aid, development and business, the return of former refugees who have encountered the gospel while abroad, the presence of Christian radio as well as dreams and visions of Jesus have all moved mountains. The greatest difficulty is that of identity - many cannot see how to be both Afghan and openly Christian, especially when no such recognition is offered within the wider Afghan society. Pray that the expression of faith will emerge that allows them to be truly Afghan while truly following Jesus.
- Safety and perseverance for believers. Pray that no attacks by the enemies of the gospel might discourage or destroy the church, but that in the crucible of suffering, the body of Christ might mature and flourish.
- Media is a strategic and indeed essential ministry. Pray that all appropriate methods of witness may be used in the most effective manner.
- Literature. Currently, appropriate discipleship courses and other training materials are being developed in the major languages of Afghanistan, in addition to many other types of evangelistic materials. These have been effective in reaching Afghans in exile and at home. Pray for those involved in producing, distributing, and studying these materials.
- Audio Resources. A set of forty-five scripture stories has been produced in Hazaragi, which can be an effective template for other languages. Several organizations have collaborated to make portable pre-recorded audio players - one evangelistic, one of the NT in Dari, and one for discipleship. Pray for their widespread distribution through the country.
- Radio is a strategic way to proclaim the gospel since the majority of Afghans still listen to shortwave radio. Pray for the provision and support for more Dari and Pashto-speaking Christians to prepare programs and answer mail. A handful of ministries have contributed to develop many materials for radio and other media. “The Church in the Home” and other programs have been especially helpful for national believers. Pray also for programming to commence in other languages.
- The need for the Scriptures. Afghanistan has about forty-three languages and only one Bible and one New Testament.
- Every year, Christians lose their life for their faith. Often, these cases go unreported, but the pain and trauma of those who are left behind are immense. Pray that God heals the families of martyrs and makes them strong so they can endure in these difficult times.
- Thank God for the many Afghans who listen to Christian radio stations or download Christian materials from the internet. Some are genuine (but isolated) believers, others are disappointed in Islam and want to know more about Jesus Christ.
“Persecution and martyrdom are not hindrances for the advance of the gospel, they are fuel for the advance of the gospel.” The church in China is one example. In 1949 The People’s Republic of China was established. China was ruled by Mao Zedong, an atheist and communist dictator who resolved to extinguish Christianity in China. At the time, estimates show that there were about one million Christians in China. For the next thirty years, they would face severe persecution. By 1979, it was estimated that there were ten million believers and that number soon doubled to twenty million. How did this great revival come about through such severe persecution? There was one thing that stood out; the amount of time these believers would spend in prayer. But they were not praying for relief from their suffering, or for their own comfort. No, they prayed for their country They prayed that revival would come to China. Today there are an estimated eighty million believers in China. What if this is just the beginning? It is said that 2014 was the worst year for Christian persecution in recent history. God is at work and hears the prayers of His people. Imagine what God will do through the prayers of this small yet faithful church.
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My first reaction when I hear about Christian persecution is fear, sadness, and resentment at what people are doing to my brothers. Although, through the lens of the gospel, we can be joyful in the midst of their suffering. The spread of the gospel is quickening through all the suffering, persecution, and martyrdom that you see. It seems like at least several times a week I hear another account of Christian persecution. Let us expectantly petition the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. And let us joyfully remember our brothers and sisters, those labors of the harvest, with great fervency, as if we were there with them. Please join with me, going forward with joy, remembering the great salvation we have been given. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
