On Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012 I attended an Open Doors event in Saltney. This event really opened my eyes to how our brothers and sisters in Christ are treated in the Arab world simply because they are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The reality of the lives of Christians in this part of the world is a wake-up call to us here in the United Kingdom. This also provokes us to ask the question of whether are we doing enough to share the gospel of Christ in this land where we are free to do so. The Christians in the Arab world risk their life just to worship Christ. Would you as a British Christian risk your life to worship Christ? Would you just say nothing and stay at home if the authorities were to prevent you from public worship?

In the United Kingdom, we have the privilege of the following

• Talking openly to people about our faith in Christ.
• Reading our Bibles in public spaces.
• Sharing the gospel message with others.
• Freely going to public worship on the Lord’s Day.
• Singing God’s praise.
• Wearing Christian symbols such as a cross necklace.

For many of God’s people in the Arab world, this is merely a dream in a distant land. Daily our brothers and sisters abroad are oppressed by unbelievable amounts of abuse and violence because they dare to confess their faith in Christ. Many believers gather in small groups in private worship. The believers do not sing hymns aloud but mentally sing them because the sound of the music and singing will give away the location of the secret church. If the Christians are caught in church groups, they are likely to be arrested by the authorities.  We ought to pray and consider our brothers and sisters who are subjected to this horrific treatment. The Christians in the Arab world put us Western believers to shame. When I learn the lengths, people go to in order to praise God it is very encouraging to know that even though their lives are in danger still they will follow Christ.

On the headstone of Archbishop Alfege is the words, “He who dies for justice, dies for Christ.” In many ways, this is very apt to our brothers and sisters in the Arab world who are being killed for truth. Christianity is going downhill in Britain today, let us spread the gospel of grace here when we are free to do so. In the name of Jesus let us bring Christianity to life again in the British Isles. Others are not scared of spreading a lie, why are Christians put off from spreading the truth? May the Lord bless the persecuted church. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake. I pray that the Lord will give you the courage to continue your quest in the land that God as placed you in.