The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is supported by International Christian Concern.

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

November 4, 2001

Imagine Living It!
"Remember those in chains and those who are ill-treated as though you were with them."  Hebrews 13:3

The stories you are about to read are all true. The characters are all real people suffering from present-day persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The narratives have been written in second person so you can put yourself in the position of these people and Imagine Living It!

Sudanese boy sold into slavery.

The recruiter's words keep running through your head: Report to military training by next week or face the consequences. You fear his threats, but you remember the government of Sudan (GOS) soldiers all too well. It was they who attacked your village and captured you. It was they who had sold you into slavery at the age of 7. Only after four years of beatings were you freed from bondage by a generous Christian man. Now this man and his family could be punished if you do not report to the jihad training center. You rest your head in your hands, agonizing. Can you return to the South as a soldier to fight your own people or should you risk endangering the lives of your new family? Caught between a rock and hard place you realize escape is the only solution.

FACT: With ICC's help, Sam and 20 other southern Sudanese orphans along with their caretakers were able to escape to during June of this year. They are currently seeking to immigrate to the United States. 

	Adel and her baby.

Your chest aches as you sob violently. It is difficult to write this letter, but your husband, your REAL husband must know that you still love him. You were forced to marry the Muslim man in order to save yourself and now, to make matters worse, you have given birth to his baby. Fresh tears stream down your face as you remember the brutal murder of your 8-year-old son by the hands of jihad warriors. At least you still have Tien. She always reminds you to serve God. If only you could escape from this place. If only you could be in your husband's arms again. But how can he forgive you for being so weak? How can he accept the baby that is not his? You can only pray that he will take you back and that you and your daughters will find a way to escape.

FACT: Adel and her Christian husband were reunited in July. Her 10-year-old daughter, Tien, was also rescued as part of ICC's ongoing project, Operation Rescue Maluku.

Mrs. Parmela Clemence.

It's been months since you've seen your 14-year-old daughter. The haunting memory of her screams still keeps you awake at night. You slip into the kitchen and pull out the certificates once again - the only communication concerning your daughter since she was kidnapped from your home by members of a local Islamic fundamentalist group. You glance at the papers for the millionth time. One is a certificate of conversion, the other a marriage certificate - both arranged against her will. You have pleaded your case to the police many times but in their eyes these certificates justify the kidnapping and rape. You remember your daughter's smiling face as she joyfully talked of Jesus. You know the certificates are shams, but the man who kidnapped your girl is a prominent Muslim who was angry because she had witnessed to his daughter about Jesus. You cling to the hope that one day you will see your daughter again.

FACT: Parmela Clemence's daughter, Naira Nadia, was kidnapped from her home in Pakistan on February 11, 2001 because she shared about Christ with a Muslim's daughter. Efforts continue to find Naira.

The cell is cold and dark yet familiar. You attempt to sing as you shiver uncontrollably. The guards don't like it, but what can they do? They've already put you in solitary confinement. They've already beaten you and given you mind altering drugs. What is left? For more than two years you've been in and out of solitary confinement, in and out of the infirmary - that is, when they'll allow you to be treated. Chronic medical problems plague you, yet you try to be at peace, knowing you're in this cell for the sake of the Gospel. You long to see the face of your wife and children, but they are rarely permitted to visit. As you begin to cough you wonder if you will survive the next two years.

FACT: Shagildy Atakov, a Muslim convert to Christianity, remains imprisoned in Turkmenistan. His 4-year sentence is scheduled to end in 2002. His wife and children are being pressured to return to Islam.

Want to help these and many other persecuted Christians?

Learn how at www.persecution.org.

The suggested donation is 25 cents each.

We're sorry.  We we have run out of bulletin inserts.  Our deepest thanks to all those who are getting information out to people and to all those participating in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

--International Christian Concern

Other information on: 
International Day of Prayer 2002 
International Day of Prayer 2001 
International Day of Prayer 2000 
International Day of Prayer 1999 
International Day of Prayer 1998