INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH IS ON NOVEMBER 3 AND 10
Toronto, Canada Jeffrey S. Ram, Editor November 2, 2024
Christian Unity: “If one member suffers, we all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.” -1 Corinthians 12:26
Several hundred million Christians globally will pray for the persecuted church on November 3rd and 10th, 2024, as part of the International Day of Prayer (IDOP). We will unitedly demonstrate our solidarity with the persecuted Christians by praying to God to strengthen and sustain the oppressed Christians who are victimized for practicing their faith.
However, prayer alone is not enough. We should also actively support the tyrannized Christians through advocacy, raising awareness, providing practical assistance, and lobbying for punitive actions, like imposing sanctions, against those evil victimizer nations. An Indo-Pak saying rightly states, “The demons of kicks can not be convinced with words” (Laaton key bhoot, baatons sey nahin maante).
THE DOUBLE ACTION PLAN
This dual approach of praying and lobbying provides spiritual support and seeks to hold oppressors accountable, promoting justice and building a law-abiding world. Prayer will provide strength and solace to tortured Christians by assuring them that they are not alone and that fellow Christians share their pain. Lobbying for sanctions will prove that religious persecution of Christians and other minorities is not acceptable. Economic sanctions like trade and aid boycotts and other diplomatic pressures on persecutor nations can hold the culprit nations accountable and stop their abusive, inhuman behaviour in the future.
PERSECUTION AGAINST CHRISTIAN IS WIDESPREAD
Christians face persecution in many parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. According to the 2024 World Watch List by Open Doors, an organization that monitors religious freedom, more than 365 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. 4,998 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons last year.
THE PRAYER POWER
Prayer is a powerful tool for Christians. It offers spiritual support not only to those suffering but also to those who advocate on their behalf. Moreover, prayer can unite individuals across geographical and cultural divides. Christians’ worldwide prayer for the persecuted church fosters global community and solidarity. This spiritual unity can stimulate actions of lobbying, advocacy, and help for the sufferers.
LOBBYING AND ADVOCACY FOR SANCTIONS CAN PRODUCE POSITIVE RESULTS
Prayer, accompanied by sanctions against those who persecute Christians, can force the guilty governments to change their policies and practices regarding religious persecution, thereby protecting Christian and other religious minority communities. Concrete actions like raising awareness through social media campaigns, organizing educational events, or participating in letter-writing campaigns to government officials may encourage others to join the cause.
In addition, sustained advocacy efforts that address the underlying causes of persecution may include:
Promoting religious freedom through international agreements.
Supporting local organizations that aid persecuted communities.
Engaging in dialogue with governments with a track record of religious intolerance.
Such initiatives can foster a culture that respects and protects religious diversity globally.
SOME EXAMPLES OF SANCTIONS
Sanctions include economic sanctions, international sanctions, embargoes, and diplomatic sanctions. The four main types of sanctions are:
Economic-commercial measures.
The arms embargo.
Financial measures.
Individual sanctions include the prohibition of entry into a State or the freezing of assets.
They pressure countries that endanger peace, implement harmful policies, or violate international law. Governments can also impose sanctions on specific individuals or organizations.
Since 1966, the UN Security Council, a key player in international relations, has established 31 sanctions regimes in Southern Rhodesia, South Africa, the Former Yugoslavia (2), Haiti (2), Angola, and other nations. Notably, sanctions played a significant role in bringing down the apartheid regimes of Southern Rhodesia and South Africa.
In recent years, the U.S. has also imposed sanctions on individuals and entities involved in religious persecution in countries like Iran, North Korea, and China. As of June 20, 2023, the U.S. Global Magnitsky Sanctions’ GloMag program has targeted 145 individuals, and entities for severe human rights abuses under the U.S. Global Magnitsky Sanctions’ GloMag program.
Canada has also applied export/import restrictions as part of its sanctions on many countries, including North Korea, Iran, Libya, Russia, and Syria.
Sanctions punish wrongdoers and signal to the international community that religious freedom is a fundamental right that civilized nations must protect.
THE DUAL STRATEGY OF PRAYER AND LOBBYING FOR SANCTIONS CAN BRING ABOUT MEANINGFUL CHANGE AND HOPE FOR CHRISTIANS AND OTHER RELIGIOUS MINORITIES GLOBALLY
The call to “pray for the persecuted church and lobby for sanctions on persecutors” are two complementary approaches that combine the power of spiritual solidarity with the necessity of political action. This dual strategy is crucial for creating lasting change and ensuring that future generations of Christians and other minorities can enjoy the freedom of religion.
Through prayer, advocacy, and a commitment to action, we can work together to alleviate suffering and promote a world where everyone can worship freely and without fear, regardless of their faith.
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