What's Your Excuse
The annual World Watch List of where it is hardest in the world to follow Jesus caught my eye this past week.
Since 1992, Open Doors US has been listing the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous and difficult to be a Christian.
Here’s the top 10 on the list this year:
Afghanistan
North Korea
Somalia
Libya
Yemen
Eritrea
Nigeria
Pakistan
Iran
India
Here are a few of the findings this year:
Afghanistan bumped North Korea out of the top spot for the first time since the list began (the takeover of the Taliban in Afghanistan sent the church underground).
1,000 more Christians were killed for their faith than the year before.
600 more churches were attacked or closed.
360 million Christians live in nations with high levels of persecution or discrimination (that’s 1 in 7 worldwide, 1 in 5 believers in Africa, 2 in 5 in Asia, and 1 in 5 in Latin America.
For the first time in 29 years of tracking, all 50 nations scored high enough to register “very high” persecution levels.
Islamic extremism continues to create the most persecution, and COVID-19 has become an easy way to tighten control and surveillance over religious minorities and worship services.
Myanmar moved up to #12 from #18, Qatar climbed to #18 to #29, Indonesia rose to #28 from #47, Cuba jumped to #37 from #51, and Niger moved up the list from #54 to #33.
Nigeria is ranked first in the subcategories of Christians killed, abducted, sexually harassed, physically or mentally abused, and in homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons.
18 are in Africa (6 in North Africa), 29 are in Asia, 10 are in the Middle East, 4 are in Central Asia, and 3 are in Latin America.
34 have Islam as the main religion, 4 have Buddhism, 2 have Hinduism, 1 has atheism, 1 has agnosticism—and 10 have Christianity.
The greatest number of Christians are martyred in Nigeria (4,650); Pakistan (620); Name withheld (*100); Burkina Faso (*100); Democratic Republic of Congo (*100); Mozambique (*100). *Estimate by Open Doors.
Churches were attacked or closed most in China (3,000); Nigeria (470); Bangladesh (200); Pakistan (183); Qatar (100).
Christians faced the most violence in Nigeria; Pakistan; India; Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of Congo; Mozambique; Cameroon; Afghanistan; Mali; South Sudan.
Three thoughts:
Remember to lift up your brothers and sisters who love and serve the Lord in these hostile anti-Christian countries.
Remember Jesus’ words: “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10–12).
Remember how comparatively easy it is for us to worship the true and living God freely, proclaim the good news openly, and live out our faith publicly with little opposition.
What is holding you and me back from taking full advantage of living for our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?
Read more about the Open Doors World Watch List.
Pastor Jeff