What about the Persecuted?

I had a funny turn of events today.  I received an email from Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) updating me on the Pastor Youcef, a pastor sentenced to die by the government of Iran.  They received information on Feb. 21 that "his death was imminent."  Here's his story as VOM describes it:

Youcef Nadarkhani, a 34-year-old pastor from Rasht, about 750 miles northwest of Tehran, was arrested in October 2009 after he protested a government policy that required children, including his 8- and 9-year-old sons, to study the Quran in school. Youcef told school officials that the Iranian constitution allows for freedom of religious practice. As a result of his protest, secret police called him before a political tribunal and arrested him for protesting. The charges were later amended to apostasy and evangelism of Muslims. Youcef was tried on Sept. 21–22, 2010 by the 1st Court of the Revolutionary Tribunal and sentenced to death on Nov. 13 for apostasy.

The pastor is imprisoned in Lakan prison, where authorities have used various methods, including medication, to convert him back to Islam. 

After Youcef refused to convert to Islam, his wife was arrested, put on trial without an attorney and sentenced to life in prison. She was later released after an attorney appealed her sentence. The Nadarkhanis’ children were cared for by a relative while they were both in prison.

Youcef Again Pressured to Recant
VOM contacts say the chief justice in Gilan province told Youcef's lawyers last week (Jan. 16, 2012) that if Youcef repents, he will be released. Youcef told his attorneys repenting means leaving Christianity to return to Islam. He said it was impossible for him to "return" to Islam, since he was never Muslim. 

Our contacts write, "Because of your prayers and concerns, the regime is afraid to issue a negative verdict, and yet they do not want to release him..."

Not long after that email, I was driving through downtown and noticed the hundreds/thousands of UK fans making their way to Rupp Arena to watch UK play.  I've been a part of that crowd before.  This same scenario is played out in cities and towns across our country whether it's a basketball game, people enjoying their day at a local shopping mall or attending a church event. 

None of those things are bad . . . UK games are good and right ways for people to have fun as is shopping.  What struck me about those things is the sheer contrast.  I often go about my day living in my own little world of job responsibilities, friendships, and hobbies while many of my brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted and killed for the faith.

Murdered.

Tortured.

Imprisoned.

So, where does that leave me?  What can I do?  Well, I think there are some things we can all do and I'm going to share a few of them.

We can pray.  I'd think that us praying for brothers/sisters in Christ would be the most important thing we can do.  Perhaps I begin to pray for one or two Christians who are imprisoned or facing martrydom.  Voice of the Martyrs is one ministry that helps inform us about those who are being persecuted.

We can write.  I am sure that someone sitting inside a prison cell would love to receive mail from their brother or sister in Christ.

We can share these stories with our friends, families and faith communities.  I think for a lot of people, this topic just isn't on their radar.  When was the last time you heard this topic addressed in your church?

We can give.  We can financially support organizations like VOM that exist to serve the persecuted church.

So, if you think of it, pray for Pastor Youcef and thousands just like him who are facing their own deaths all because of the faith they profess.

Other links you may be interested in:

White House's Statement regarding Pastor Youcef

Open Doors, a ministry to persecuted Christians