Persecution

[Estera]

Please forgive me if this is the wrong place to talk about it, but my heart is really in pieces.

Our King has had me working with persecuted believers in the Islamic world for 6 years now… lately specifically with some scattered ones in Afghanistan.  I know Jesus told us to expect persecution… and especially in these days leading up to His return.  Last year, when the US left the country, there were some who managed to escape, but there are believers hiding all over the place, living under the shadow of death daily.  I’m talking with them every day, but there is so little I can actually do to change the situation… and it’s a horrific situation.  I think most of the Western world is oblivious… and that hurts too because these are our brothers and sisters… and they are so alone.

im not sure even what I’m trying to say here, except perhaps to ask you to please pray? They are hanging on by a thread.  It’s like they are standing on the edge of the Red Sea with no way to cross, and Pharaoh and his armies are closing in on them.  
 

I don’t know if this forum is a place to ask for support, but I could really do with some extra strength. We need a miracle.

[Selah7]

Thank you for sharing, @Estera Gently I ask you to remember that they are not alone.  The LORD is with them. …praying

. . .
Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. 

- Malachi 3:16

Selah 

    

Edited October 5, 2022 by Selah7
Malachi 3:16

[Estera]

Thanks Sela

yes you are right, they are not alone.  What I mean is they really feel alone.

It’s hard because we in the West truly have no comprehension of what they are enduring.  They are relatively new believers, were  abandoned by their western missionary pastors when the situation changed last year (understandably… but with a big impact on them). 

[kwikphilly]

1 hour ago, Estera said:

Please forgive me if this is the wrong place to talk about it, but my heart is really in pieces.

Our King has had me working with persecuted believers in the Islamic world for 6 years now… lately specifically with some scattered ones in Afghanistan.  I know Jesus told us to expect persecution… and especially in these days leading up to His return.  Last year, when the US left the country, there were some who managed to escape, but there are believers hiding all over the place, living under the shadow of death daily.  I’m talking with them every day, but there is so little I can actually do to change the situation… and it’s a horrific situation.  I think most of the Western world is oblivious… and that hurts too because these are our brothers and sisters… and they are so alone.

im not sure even what I’m trying to say here, except perhaps to ask you to please pray? They are hanging on by a thread.  It’s like they are standing on the edge of the Red Sea with no way to cross, and Pharaoh and his armies are closing in on them.  
 

I don’t know if this forum is a place to ask for support, but I could really do with some extra strength. We need a miracle.

Blessings Estera

It's perfectly fine to post here but please do post a Thread in our Prayer Request Forums- our Brothers & Sisters do go there specifically to pray for one another & others- so you will get many prayers there

Here is a discussion Forum & it's an important Topic that really should be shared with others- many have no idea what our Brothers & Sisters suffer for Christ---- they need our support,our prayers,our awareness- if no one knows them nothing can change.I don't know what we could do to help from here but we can certainly pray

God Bless you,Youve got a very difficult calling - Surely many crowns await you!

Thank you so much for sharing- you might want to post your Testimony as well- I'm sure you will inspire &: encourage many ( ha,we think we have problems.... Hmmm)

Glad you are here Sister - May God Bless you bountifully & continue to keep you safe and keep all His Children out of harms way,in Jesus Mighty Name

With love in Christ, Kwik

[BibleStudent100]

Good morning Estera,

If one keeps God’s commandments as a Christian, it is impossible to escape persecution, for “all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.” (2Ti 3:12) Your friends and fellow servants of God are indeed undergoing severe trials, but we in the "Free World" have our spiritual moments of anguish and persecutions as well (e.g. health decline, family members who have fallen away from the faith, financial difficulties and tests resulting from our fallen flesh, etc.) Yet true Christians are able to endure all manner of wicked persecution and still maintain a happy attitude free of malice and hatred of the persecutors. This is because we understand the issues involved—the source of the persecution and why it is permitted. Instead of being puzzled and worried over such experiences, we and our fellow Christians in Afghanistan rejoice to share with Christ in the test of loyalty under persecution:  "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified" (1 Peter 12:12-14).

 

[Who me]

2 hours ago, Estera said:

Our King has had me working with persecuted believers in the Islamic world for 6 years now

 

Please let us know which organisation you are working with?

 

That way we can not only pray for you, for perscuted Christians but supply cash to help them.

[Estera]

5 hours ago, kwikphilly said:

Blessings Estera

It's perfectly fine to post here but please do post a Thread in our Prayer Request Forums- our Brothers & Sisters do go there specifically to pray for one another & others- so you will get many prayers there

Here is a discussion Forum & it's an important Topic that really should be shared with others- many have no idea what our Brothers & Sisters suffer for Christ---- they need our support,our prayers,our awareness- if no one knows them nothing can change.I don't know what we could do to help from here but we can certainly pray

God Bless you,Youve got a very difficult calling - Surely many crowns await you!

Thank you so much for sharing- you might want to post your Testimony as well- I'm sure you will inspire &: encourage many ( ha,we think we have problems.... Hmmm)

Glad you are here Sister - May God Bless you bountifully & continue to keep you safe and keep all His Children out of harms way,in Jesus Mighty Name

With love in Christ, Kwik

Thanks so much Kwik, yeah it’s a heavy calling, but all for His glory. I’m just a bondservant.

I agree, so many have no idea what our brothers and sisters are suffering.  I hope this isn’t an offensive thing to say, but sometimes it feels like believers in the West think they are somehow more valuable than those being persecuted and killed in other parts of the world.  Let me explain what I mean.  Many times when I have shared with others what’s going on, they don’t want to hear it, or respond with platitudes or even hostility.  I’ve heard too many people say things like “Jesus would never put me in a position where I’d get beaten… he isn’t a wife beater, He wouldn’t allow His bride to get beaten up… so I’m not worried about persecution coming to me.  He will remove me before I have to suffer.”   

Honestly, that kind or response is so devastating.  Because Jesus said if we follow Him we will be hated and persecuted… this is reality now for these believers… but somehow Western believers are exempt some how too special to suffer life threatening persecution?  I realize I’m generalizing and also that of course many of us do suffer hardships in the West.  But this level of persecution I think is hard for many of us to connect with.

These guys have been betrayed by friends and family.  Handed over to Taliban, beaten and tortured… fled from place to place, living every day in fear of being put to death.  Watched friends being beheaded and tortured.  One family has two teen daughters… if the family is found the parents will be killed, younger brother would be killed and the girls raped and forcibly married.  All because they believe in Jesus.  They can’t go outside, the walls have ears, raids frequently happen, which they live in dread of… they aren’t allowed to work, so they have no money for food, and there’s no way out.  There are too many stories to tell you.

 

Anyway I share these things because as you say it’s important for us to know about… and honestly, these guys are relying on prayer cover. He is their only protection …but they are also keenly aware that some will be required to lay down their lives.  It’s so painful day by day living like this though.  Thanks for your suggestion of the prayer requests place, that’s a great idea! 
 

sorry I wrote so much.  I’ll also try to share some of my testimony… He is faithful, and my life can bear witness to that. 

[missmuffet]

7 hours ago, Estera said:

Please forgive me if this is the wrong place to talk about it, but my heart is really in pieces.

Our King has had me working with persecuted believers in the Islamic world for 6 years now… lately specifically with some scattered ones in Afghanistan.  I know Jesus told us to expect persecution… and especially in these days leading up to His return.  Last year, when the US left the country, there were some who managed to escape, but there are believers hiding all over the place, living under the shadow of death daily.  I’m talking with them every day, but there is so little I can actually do to change the situation… and it’s a horrific situation.  I think most of the Western world is oblivious… and that hurts too because these are our brothers and sisters… and they are so alone.

im not sure even what I’m trying to say here, except perhaps to ask you to please pray? They are hanging on by a thread.  It’s like they are standing on the edge of the Red Sea with no way to cross, and Pharaoh and his armies are closing in on them.  
 

I don’t know if this forum is a place to ask for support, but I could really do with some extra strength. We need a miracle.

Yes, there are people suffering all over the world. God is with them and our prayers are with them. 

[Estera]

5 hours ago, BibleStudent100 said:

Good morning Estera,

If one keeps God’s commandments as a Christian, it is impossible to escape persecution, for “all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.” (2Ti 3:12) Your friends and fellow servants of God are indeed undergoing severe trials, but we in the "Free World" have our spiritual moments of anguish and persecutions as well (e.g. health decline, family members who have fallen away from the faith, financial difficulties and tests resulting from our fallen flesh, etc.) Yet true Christians are able to endure all manner of wicked persecution and still maintain a happy attitude free of malice and hatred of the persecutors. This is because we understand the issues involved—the source of the persecution and why it is permitted. Instead of being puzzled and worried over such experiences, we and our fellow Christians in Afghanistan rejoice to share with Christ in the test of loyalty under persecution:  "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified" (1 Peter 12:12-14).

 

Absolutely spot on.  And keeping God’s commandments makes us targets even from other believers too many times… it’s a hard and narrow walk, and certainly not one for gaining popularity! 
 

You are quite right that believers in the free world also have hardships to endure and overcome… but at least we aren’t threatened with death and torture on a continuous, daily basis.  It’s on another level tbh.  Though, of course it’s all relative and I’m not trying to minimize what others have had to endure.  But I do sometimes think the Western church needs a bit of a wake-up call. 
 

Persecution, suffering and hardships are blessings in disguise if we allow Him to have His way.  Some of the deepest works and the greatest times of Faith purification and strengthening comes during those times.  And that sure is something to rejoice about! But we all need support in the depths of it.

If one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers with it. 

[Estera]

5 hours ago, Who me said:

 

Please let us know which organisation you are working with?

 

That way we can not only pray for you, for perscuted Christians but supply cash to help them.

Thanks Who Me, I appreciate that.  I’d rather not write it publicly though as we do have to be careful about security.