“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”
International Christian Concern (ICC) reported on the 21st that at least 72 Christians are imprisoned or missing in 4 out of 5 communist countries around the world. According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), 52 Christians are currently imprisoned in China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam, and 20 are missing.
An ICC official in Asia said, “These numbers are staggering but not surprising,” adding that the actual number of prisoners is likely much higher. He explained, “Communism is a dangerous and destructive system for Christians today, just as it was for previous generations.”
The 72 persecuted believers listed in the document are being imprisoned for various crimes related to their Christian faith, including “undermining national unity policies” and “inciting subversion of state power.” Yang Jianxin, a Chinese man arrested in 2021, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison for illegally operating a business and printing and purchasing illegal publications after asking a local printer to print Bibles.
In 2001, Jeong Yong-cheol, a North Korean Christian, was arrested in China for studying the Bible, deported to North Korea, and sentenced to ten years in a political prison camp. Jeong Yong-cheol’s current status is unknown.
In Vietnam, Y Min Ksor was sentenced to 14 years in prison for undermining national unity after Vietnamese authorities arrested him in 2018 on charges of “spreading false information” about religious freedom and human rights abuses in the country and persuading others to “establish an independent state.”
In Cuba, Pastor Curosales Fajardo was charged with indecency, public disorder, incitement, and assault and sentenced to seven years in prison. In June 2024, it was alleged that Pastor Fajardo was again brutally beaten while in custody.
Laos, the fifth communist country after China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam, also persecutes Christians. According to a U.S. State Department report, Laotian officials discriminate against Christians. In October last year, authorities in Samui forcibly relocated more than eight families from three villages that had converted to Christianity and destroyed their homes.
Communism is rooted in atheism, and this influence is still felt today among Christians who are persecuted under communist rule. Another worrisome reality of communism is its influence beyond national borders. For example, many Vietnamese Christians who fled to Thailand to escape harsh religious persecution are still harassed and pressured by Vietnamese communist officials upon their arrival in Bangkok, who bring these refugees back to stand trial. (Source: Gospel Prayer Newspaper)
And giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:12-14)
God, we praise You for those who were rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son You love as they heard and believed the Gospel even under the communist regimes where the doctrines of atheism deceive souls. May You rebuke those who give hard times to Christians and try to knock over them and even chase them over to the neighbouring country. May Your protection be over the believers and rescue them from injustice and suffering. May the strongholds of communism collapse through those who stand firm in their faith as they hold on to the love of salvation and the glory of their inheritance so that many souls will be rescued and worship You.
Prayer 24·365
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