Christians are being killed by their own countrymen in Egypt. Not altogether a surprise in the Muslim controlled Middle East (even though Egypt is in Africa). The military denies killing the peaceful Christian protesters or at least doing it on purpose.
When it comes to persecution of Christians I always have mixed feelings. I mourn their deaths but celebrate their faith. I pray for peace but wonder if a little hardship wouldn't do the Western Christian Church some good. Jesus warns us that persecution is going to be part of our lives, we are blessed when we are persecuted, and tells us that we are to bless the ones who persecute us. The author of Hebrews praised the people who joyfully accepted persecution.
The greatest movements in Church (numbers and discipleship) have included being persecuted. The early church and now the church in China.
I pray for peace in lives that are living under persecution, but I also pray that the West will have the faith to withstand the trials that may come upon us.
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