Pressure for Central Asian Believers.

Believers living in Central Asia are facing a growing pressure and hostility against them and their families, as they seek to live out their faith in their predominantly Muslim communities.

In one Central Asian village, Brother Abdul faces a great dilemma. He is under pressure from local villagers, who constantly push him to renounce his Christian faith.

A group of young Muslims recently surrounded his home and tried to threaten him into renouncing his faith. He was told that he would “regret it” if he did not renounce Christ.

Brother Abdul is a courageous believer. He refuses to renounce Christ, and is willing to die for his beliefs. “I might be kicked out the village, I could be beaten, but Jesus went through it all. If my Lord faced persecution, who am I not expect the same treatment?”

Brother Abdul is not ashamed of the Gospel, yet he faces real danger in spite of his willingness to be a martyr for Christ.

Meanwhile in another area of Central Asia, a young mother faces a different dilemma.

The mother is married to a local house pastor, and they have a 6-year-old son who has a passion to sing very loudly.

Whilst most parents would love their child to be like this, because of religious restrictions in their Central Asian country, this behaviour is dangerous for the family.

Their son is also very keen to share the love of Christ with everyone he meets. The mother told Open Doors, “He recently asked me if his friend is going to heaven if he dies and I said, ‘If he doesn’t know Christ, then probably not’.” Her son then said “Then I have to tell him urgently about Jesus!”

The mother is concerned because her son’s zeal for Christ presents a danger to both the secret church and believers who gather together, and to their family. Yet, she does not want to tell her son not to share the Gospel, nor to quench his passion and joy for the Lord.

• Pray for Brother Abdul, and for this Central Asia family as they seek wisdom how to live as believers in an increasingly dangerous climate. Pray for their protection and for courage to share their faith with their communities.
• Pray for this young boy, that his passion for Christ will grow, along with his faith. Pray that this family will see ways to share the Gospel in ways that will not cause hostility but lead to much fruit for the Kingdom of God.
• Pray for protection over the Church in Central Asia, as it faces growing hostility from communities, as well as oppression from governments. Pray that it will g row strong, in unity and be a light and force for good in these countries.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to move across Central Asia, for many to encounter Christ and come to know His life, live and grace.

Romans 1 vs 16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes“

Source: https://www.opendoorsusa.org