At the close of WWII, Korea was left divided. The North was communist and the South was not. Then came the Korean war. The North was trying to assimilate the South into it's communist state. The United Nations (pardon my french) still had balls then. They responded quickly, swiftly. In three years the aggressors were beaten back and peace returned.
South Korea has a thriving Christian community. A community they could not have under North Korea's rule. South Korea has citizens, Christians who bravely and boldly went to minister in war torn Afghanistan. There the Taliban has captured 23 of these dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Two have been murdered because the demands to release Taliban bad guys held by the Afghan government have not been met. More are likely to follow, without intervention.
Some are calling to give into the demands. These terror minded ones making the demands are as opposed to freedom as any communist ever was. I pray no concessions are made with them. But at the same time I pray even more fervently for the comfort and Peace of Christ to be with all those held captive. I pray for their freedom to be accomplished without compromising with terror. Whether Divine intervention or the might, skill and intervention of the military. I pray for their home churches, their families, their country men.
Persecution goes on elsewhere. In China. In the Philippines. In various African nations. It won't get the media coverage drunken stars and deranged pop idols get. But it's going on. Persecution is alive and well. If you are a Christian, these are your brethren. Please join me in praying for them.
I do pray with you Barb. Important entry. Paula
ReplyDeleteVery thought provoking, and I agree a reality! I used to pray more often when my friend's daughter was a missionary in Africa. I should never have stopped though, and thanks for reminding me that we need to be praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Even stateside - where sometimes persecution takes a more benign form, but they do suffer just because they hold to their personal beliefs. We are made fun of and rediculed. It goes on everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI join you in prayer Barbara. Helen
ReplyDeleteI do get tired of Britny and company and their latest screw ups when there is real new out there. Good post!
ReplyDeleteTraci
Thanks Barb, this is a very important mission, I have been praying will continue to pray, and hope that I can help to get the message spread. gg/Jackie
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you informed of this. It has not been in the news. In days of old this would have been a top story. Reagan would have gotten them out. I will pray. Hope you and your family are all well. God Bless,
ReplyDeleteLisa
We was told that they were going to be executed last Thursday at 9pm uk time but we have heard nothing since. We are praying for them and all the others imprisoned because of their love of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteJenny <><
I did not know of this .. I really appreciate your e-mail to inform me!! Thanks and I will pray!!!
ReplyDeleteTheresa
I didn't know of this either! THanks for telling us... most certainly I will pray for their release, for their comfort and peace in Christ, for strength as they deal with their inhuman, torturous, murderous captors who terrorize them, and others. bea
ReplyDeleteBarbara dearest, again not only a great lesson in history (when did the UN loose it's balls??? and why the heck can't they seem to manage to grow a new pair???)
ReplyDeleteAnd a wonderful call to prayer in a cause well worth our time.
I do believe in my heart of hearts The Great One sometimes asks each of us to give up all the is dear to us in order to be his soldiers. These wonderful Christians who went over there knew the chances of giving up their lives for Christ. It certainly doesn't seem fair that they should have to though, and my prayers are with them.
Lynda
Excellent entry Barbara. I'm saddened too by all the persecution even though Jesus told us it would happen more frequently. I have been praying for these brothers and sisters of ours too, and that the Holy Spirit will enter into the hearts and minds of those who are persecuting them. I hope no one gives into their demands either- as it will only make them more bold to do it again in other areas. In Gaza, Christians are being forced to convert to Islam, and all "citizens" are considereed free, unless they are not Islam. Christian Women are being kidnapped and forced to marry muslim men. It is happening in Iraq too with the Assyrians who are being murdered for their faith in Christ. I pray fo them all- and those in Sudan, Somalia, too, and all over the world- it is happening everywhere! God Bless you for getting this message out how improtanat it is to hold up our brothers and sisters around the world in prayer! God Bless you- and them. Carolyn
ReplyDeleteHead bowed.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this... I will pray. Linda
ReplyDeleteAMEN BARBARA,
ReplyDeleteMAKING CONCESSIONS SEEMS TO BRING ON MORE OF THE SAME.
I PRAY FOR THE CAPTIVES TO BE FREED.
CHRISTIANS HAVE BEEN PERSECUTED DURING AND SINCE THE TIME JESUS WALKED THE EARTH THOSE FEW YEARS.
FAITH IN GOD ASSURES US THAT HE IS AWARE OF THE HORRIBLE EVILS OF THESE DAYS.
BEST WE PRAY FOR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE TO FIGHT AGAINST EVIL.
TERRORISM IS BECOMING WORLDWIDE AND SHARING SHAME WITH ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICING, CHILD PROSTITUTION, CORRUPT JUDGES AND MISGUIDED HATERS OF AMERICA, BORN HERE AND POSSIBLY A LAWMAKER. SHAME.
GOD WILL CORRECT THINGS AND THE SOONER THE BETTER. sam
my prayers are with you and with these people Barb.
ReplyDeleteloveyou!
natalie
Absolutely... they are just as important in His Kingdom... Very well stated Barbara!
ReplyDeleteMik
Hey Barb,
ReplyDeleteJust returning the comment back :)
Thanks for stopping by,
Happy Blogging,
Christopher
http://journals.aol.com/cmarlow330/ChristophersJournal/
Ps.. South Texas eh? I am in East Texas ! ^_^
Amazing what the media does feel is new worthy isn't it? I have had these people in my prayers on the smoke, since I first heard of their plight. Sooner or later I'm hoping a public outcry for what people are being fed through the media will bring about some changes. Somehow I wonder though.....more and more people are turning a blind eye to anothers suffering. (Hugs) Indigo
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great weekend!
~D
http://journals.aol.com/heavenlybama/journey-to-success
Persecution IS indeed going on, far more than we realize. I, like you, am praying for all those standing TALL for CHRIST. May each of us be as strong, is my prayer.
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Barb- http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/LETTERSTOHEAVEN
http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/FROMBARBSSPIRITUALJOURNALS
It's always inspiring to see people unafraid to defend their faith, no matter the cost, no matter the name given to that faith. Good entry! xoxo CATHY
ReplyDeletehttp://journals.aol.com/luddie343/DARETOTHINK/
I definitely understand the persecution of Christians in the foreign countries. The lady I am dating is a mssionary every summer to the Philippines. She goes to the island of Mindanao. I pray often for her safety there. And I have heard of these missionaries and they have been on my prayer list also. John http://journals.aol.com/dymphna103/one-more-time/
ReplyDeletePS BTW I am in the national guard and I was activated during Katrina and rita.
You are very right. Just a year ago, all these young stars were parading around like they owned the world. They made the news with their selfish, greedy, immoral behavior, setting horable examples to young girls all over the world. Today, they are in rehab, divored, doing drugs and alcohol. Still the media follows them like anyone really cares where they were last night or how they dress.
ReplyDeleteThen on the other hand, we have a war going on and young people are risking their lives and dying everyday. It's candy coated by the press and the true tragic stories are covered up. We have people dying of starvation right here in America and children being ripped out from under their mothers because the law says it's their rights and homeless and suffering and yet, that does not make the news.
I pray for everyone who is suffering in any way. God have mercy on this world.
oops, make that 1975
ReplyDeleteSee, prayers are answered, since they released the rest of the people yesterday or so.
ReplyDelete