You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”(Isaiah 14:13-14,NIV)
Satan, who rebelled against God, has enslaved humanity through sin and death, using rulers and authorities in this world to manifest evil. Yet God has already judged Satan through the cross of Jesus Christ and delivered sinners from his dominion. Before his final judgment in hell, Satan seeks to destroy sinners through lies and wicked deeds. Even believers who have been saved through the gospel are persecuted, deceived by falsehoods, and targeted by heresies, as Satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
According to the 2022 World Watch List released by Open Doors International, persecution against Christians worldwide has steadily increased in recent years. Research shows that one in seven Christians globally—out of an estimated 2.5 billion—faces persecution for their faith. This marks the highest level since Open Doors began publishing its persecution index 29 years ago.
The number of persecuted Christians rose from about 214 million in 2018 to around 300 million in 2020, and by 2022 the figure had reached approximately 360 million. Afghanistan ranked as the most extreme persecutor of Christians in 2022. For decades, North Korea had consistently held the top spot, but after the Taliban takeover in 2021, Afghanistan became the most hostile country, conducting religious searches to target Christians. Men discovered to be Christians in Afghanistan face execution, while women risk being trafficked or forced into marriage.
As a result, North Korea dropped to second place, though religious freedom there has not improved. On the contrary, under the Enforcement of the Reactionary Ideology and Culture Rejection Law, arrests of Christians and closures of house churches have increased, pushing the regime’s persecution score to 96, the highest ever recorded.
Overall, 360 million Christians live in 76 countries where persecution or severe discrimination is common. This means one in five believers in Africa, two in five in Asia, and one in fifteen in Latin America face persecution or oppression.
Additionally, the number of Christian martyrs worldwide was reported at 5,898, an increase of more than 1,000 from the previous year. Nigeria accounted for 79 percent of these deaths, followed by Pakistan with 11 percent. In Nigeria, four out of five Christian martyrdoms occurred, and in China, three out of five churches were attacked.
》Prayer Point
1. On the cross of Jesus Christ, all the power of Satan was utterly broken. Let us proclaim in faith that the church has already won the victory, even in the face of persecution, surveillance, and punishment meant to instill fear and cause believers to abandon their faith. Let us pray that the church, which has received the unseen yet real presence of God and the gift of His eternal glory, may follow the Lord boldly without yielding to the worldly powers that oppose Him.
》Scripture Prayer
Psalm 2:1-12 (NIV)
1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.
8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. All authority comes from God, and the use of that authority as well as the responsibility that comes with it belongs to those entrusted with it. Let us pray that all leaders would fear God, who holds supreme authority, and exercise their power in alignment with His will.
2. Let us declare among the nations that the Lord and His Anointed Jesus Christ are the King of kings. Let us pray that the evil schemes of rulers who oppose God and resist His reign and authority will be destroyed. May the Lord send messengers to rulers and authorities so that they may hear the gospel, repent, kiss the Son, and submit to Christ.
3. Let us pray that believers who stand firm in faith despite persecution and suffering will be strengthened all the more. As they boldly bear witness to the gospel and to prayer, the powers of this world will lose their grip, the kingdom of God will come, and more will be saved. Let us also pray that people of unshakable faith will be raised up in every sphere of politics, economics, culture, arts, education, sports, and media so that each area may be sanctified.
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