Victims of Violence and Injustice “The lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2) Many Christians suffer violent attacks for their faith in the Lord Jesus, whether from authorities or the community at large. This is especially so where the majority religion is closely aligned with national identity. North Korea continues to be the most dangerous country to be a Christian. Its communist government’s repression of Christians is unrelenting. Laws suppressing freedom of religion in Eritrea and Iran result in police raids, arrest and torture, sometimes martyrdom. Boko Haram, its offshoot Islamic State in West Africa Province, and other Islamist terrorist groups have killed at least 10,000 people in Nigeria since 2015. In Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger hundreds of Christians have been killed and thousands displaced by Islamist groups in recent years. Al Shabaab continues violent operations in Somalia and Kenya, and Al-Sunna wa Jama’a took control of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique’s far north in March 2021, subjecting the population to shocking violence, including the decapitation of a pastor in December 2021. Poverty and low social status make justice elusive for Christians in
Pakistan, where courts often uphold false “blasphemy” allegations or the police turn a blind eye when Muslim men abduct, forcefully marry and forcefully convert Christian women and girls.
Myanmar military set alight vehicles after shooting dead their 35 occupants near the village of Mo So, Kayah State, a predominantly Christian area, on Christmas Eve 2021 Cry out to the Lord on behalf of Christians living under the constant threat of violence or injustice for their faith. Pray that those bereaved and injured in such attacks will know the Lord’s comfort and healing and be able to entrust their future to the faithful Judge of the whole world and to forgive those who persecute them. Praise God for those who remain faithful when suffering unjust imprisonment, and ask that He will be a shield to them and their families. 5
