LETTER: Prayer needed to overcome persecution

During the month of Ramadan, the Voice of the Martyrs sponsored 30 days of prayer for the one-fifth of our planet that follows the Muslim faith and ideology — about 1.5 billion people. The purpose was and is to educate people about this faith and guide followers of Jesus Christ in how to pray effectively for them. People in the Muslim world have increasingly been reporting personal meetings with Christ, and converting to faith in Him.

Now it is time to pray for the Christians and people of other minority beliefs that are the target of radical Islam. The Oct. 25 guest column titled “Rape as Theology” underscores the critical need for us to know what is happening in other parts of this small world and respond accordingly. This report is too horrifying for us to easily be able to contemplate a people that follow this ideology. But don’t ignore this.    

Pick an area of Africa, eastern and southern Europe, Malaysia, Turkey — and hold them up in prayer as they are persecuted, beaten, murdered, homes destroyed, and livelihoods taken from them. Don’t stop praying for them. Pray and actively support with real money the pastors and families of Christ followers, and other minorities. It isn’t “just” prayer. Prayer changes the world.

“What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). —Glenda D. Brown, Kalispell