North Korean Church Leaders Ask for Prayer Amid War Preparations

Underground Christians Report Ratcheting Up of Combat

Readiness.

SANTA ANA, Calif. (April 4, 2013) – North Korean church leaders are asking Christians worldwide to pray for their country amid increased war threats and combat preparation by North Korean military officials.

Prayer for beleaguered believers in North Korea is more important than ever, says Open Doors, an organization that supports persecuted Christians in 60 countries.

According to underground Christians, there is a war-like atmosphere in the country:

“We are to meet the decisive battle with a gun in one hand and a hammer in the other,” summarized a Christian leader about the message the North Korean people recently received from the “high command.”

“The military army, navy, air force troops, strategic rocket troops, the red guards and the red youth guards are already in combat mode. Urgent meetings are being held everywhere, regardless if it is day or night. At those meetings, officials make decisions on what needs to happen in case war breaks out and everyone, including women, needs to be combat ready.”

According to Open Doors sources, many cars on the roads are covered with camouflage nets. Also, soldiers are wearing hats with camouflage dried branches and carry guns. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un released a statement to his people, saying that “If war breaks out because of the actions of the U.S. and puppet South Korea’s unpardonable behavior, they will end up with a disgraceful downfall, and our people will greet a brilliant new day of reunification. The day has come to show off the power of ‘Military First’ and our great nation to the whole world.”

However, Christians and other citizens fear war and its consequences.

“Many people are in a hurry to purchase emergency food supplies and daily goods just in case. The prices of goods, including food, are skyrocketing,” tells one believer in North Korea.

North Korean Christians are grateful for their fellow believers in the West and request their urgent prayers.

“I would like to thank the many brothers and sisters around the world for their continuous love and support,” says the Christian believer. “We know that our journey will not be an easy one, but we are sure that our faith, desperate hope and passionate desire will some day bear many fruit. No matter how difficult life is for us, we never blame or complain about our circumstances. God has promised us in the Bible that if we seek His Kingdom first, all other things will be given to us as well. Please pray for us.”

Jerry Dykstra, a spokesman for Open Doors USA, adds:

“Beneath the surface of the all the rhetoric of war and the possible launch of nuclear missiles are the suffering and persecution of the estimated 200,000 to 400,000 Christians in North Korea. Also, an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 Christians are in harsh political prison camps. The government has been the No. 1 persecutor of Christians for 11 years in a row, according to the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List (www.worldwatchlist.us).

“We must respond now to the Christian leaders’ request to pray for them. Pray for Kim Jong-Un; that God will work in his heart and he will pursue peace and not war. Pray for wisdom for leaders in the United States, South Korea and China. Pray for Christians who are put in even more danger due to war preparations. Pray families will find food to feed their families. Finally, pray that no matter what happens Christians will remain strong in their faith.”

For almost 60 years Open Doors has worked in the world's most oppressive and restrictive countries, strengthening Christians to stand strong in the face of persecution and equipping them to shine Christ's light in these places. Open Doors empowers persecuted Christians by supplying Bibles and Christian literature, training Christian leaders, facilitating social/economic projects and uniting believers in the West in prayer for Christians, who are the most persecuted religious group in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

Christian, live up to your name

Christian, live up to your name. After long years of war and persecution, Christians seldom see Muslims as people whom God loves and for whom Christ died.

God loves Muslims (photo by Bill Hunt).

  

The Cross and the Crescent (excerpt continued):

Lack of love for Muslims

After long years of war and persecution, Christians seldom see Muslims as people whom God loves and for whom Christ died. It is clear the Christians need a new filling of the Holy Spirit to love those who disagree with them. The greatest expression of love is to share with them the most precious thing a Christian has, which is the good news of the salvation of Jesus Christ.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mathew 5:43-45 NKJV).

Lack of doctrinal knowledge

Most Christians do not know how to explain their faith to non-believers. They have received the salvation of Christ, but they cannot defend their basic creeds. According to the apostle Peter, we should always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks us a reason for the hope that is in us.

Yet, most Christians could neither answer a Muslim's questions, nor refute a Muslim's attacks against basic Christian doctrines. They haven't even got to grips with Muslim vocabulary. How many Christians, for example, know that Muslims refer to the Holy Spirit as the angel Jibril (Gabriel)?

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1Peter 3:15 NKJV).

Lack of faith in God

Most Christians simply do not believe that God will save Muslims. Many Christian ministers in Muslim countries have not seen a single Muslim come to Christ. At the same time, they have probably seen hundreds of Christians converting to Islam. Jesus Christ has full authority in heaven and on earth-and the Christian evangelist should never lose sight of that fact.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matt 28:18 NKJV).

Lack of security in a Muslim state

Christians refuse to witness to Muslims because they fear persecution. Some of the Muslims who ask Christians to explain Christianity to them are spies for the police or for fundamentalist Muslim groups. The reluctance of Christians to welcome new converts makes those converts more likely to backslide to Islam under pressure from family and friends, after which the backsliders may report Christian activities to the authorities.

– Abdul Hadi

International Bible scholar,

apologist and evangelist

Dare to Pray with Faith Power for the Nations

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Pakistan Lahore Christians Attacked

Over 170 homes are reported now burned and families are asking you for prayer.

Mob burning household (photo per Bishop Anjum).

Dearest in Christ,

Very sad to tell you about this incident that happened in Pakistan. Today, (March 9, 2013) around 158 houses belonging to the Christian community were vandalized and burnt by a mob in Badami Bagh area of Lahore. This is over an alleged blasphemy committed by a Christian man.

SSP Operations Suhail Sukhera and the SHO of Badami Bagh were also reportedly injured when the mob pelted a police party with stones.

On Friday, a mob of almost 3,000 people forced the Christian community to flee for their lives, leaving behind their houses and possessions unprotected.

The charged group gathered around Joseph Colony on Noor Road, led by Shafiq Ahmed, in search of the accused Savan, alias Bubby. The mob attacked Savan’s house, setting it on fire and pelting it with stones. Other houses in the locality – homes to about 150 Christian families – they also attacked. Many residents, including women and children, hastily fled to save themselves.

Savan has been arrested and taken to an undisclosed location.

We request all of you to please pray for them and share with your Friends.

Remember Savan Masih, his family, and all the Christian community of Joseph Colony, Badami Baghe, Lahore, in your prayers.  

They lost their homes, households, and everything they have. They have nothing to wear, to eat, or a place to sleep. They totally depend on help and prayers.

Please pray for them.

In Him,

Bishop Anjum

Pakistan