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American Christian Privilege and the Tribulation of the Saints

 Shalom, family. I want to take some time now to reflect on some harsh realities. Realities that should force us to think more deeply about our faith and pray more fervently. As much as I'm sure you probably aren't all too enthused about another article of bad news, let me tell you that very attitude within itself is a privilege to have. 

Lately, I've been watching video coverage of heart wrenching persecution in countries like Syria and Congo. If you haven't been informed, there has been a massive uptick in Christian persecution in these places. 

When I say persecution, I don't mean how many American pastors and citizens use the term. This is not about refusing to officiate gay weddings or not baking cakes for lesbians. I'm talking about what the Bible calls tribulation. Jesus states in Matthew 24:9 "They will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake."

This is something that is barely imaginable in the western American Christian mind. And while there have been Christian martyrs throughout American history, many of them were persecuted for racism or other reasons. Not exactly due to their faith.

Yet this idea of dying for Jesus's namesake is something happening daily in other parts of the world. Consider these facts:

The Christian Post reports "Christians and other religious minorities in Syria sounding the alarm as more than 1,000 people have been killed since last Thursday..."

In Genocide Watch's Feb 29, 2024, article Bhaswati Bhattacharjee writes "Since 2000, 62,000 Christians have been murdered in genocide perpetuated by Islamist jihadist groups including boko haram, islamic state west Africa province (ISWAP), and Fulani militias..."

OpenDoorsUs.org reports "On February 13, 2025, militants rounded up 70 Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, took them to a church, and then killed all 70 of them."

I could fill pages with stories like these yet seldom do these headlines make it to mainstream American news media. Culturally, there is a large pocket of America that sees Christians as socially regressive and antiquated. In America, Christians are the supposed persecutors and tyrants punching down on other social groups. I don't exactly agree with this assessment. If anything, the fact that we can outwardly profess our faith in Christ to those who criticize the validity of the Gospel and live to tell about it should be reason to pray and thank God for. No, the Chruch doesn't always get it right when trying to spread the Gospel, but I thank God that we can. 

Our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering and dying. And we American saints should be more mindful about that. If you can pray this with me in solidarity for our family overseas in Christ:

Heavenly Father,

As we come to learn more about the hardships, suffering, and martyrdom of our brothers and sisters in the faith we pray that you are a comfort to all survivors and refugees of these tragedies. We pray you comfort their hearts, minds and bodies and that your truths speak loudly in their minds during times of doubt and fear. Father, we pray for shelter and safe haven for our persecuted brothers and sisters. We understand what your son Jesus Christ told us in Matthew nevertheless we intercede for the saints in the Congo, in Lybia, in Syria, in North Korea, in China, in Iran, in Iraq, in Yemen, in every place your saints are being targeted Lord. And we pray for our enemies that you change their hearts Lord and turn them toward your one and only Son Jesus Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.

If you want to donate and help those Christians in suffering, please follow the link: Donate Now  · Serving Persecuted Christians Worldwide 

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