What Persecuted Christians Want More Than Anything Else

Last year was the worst year for persecuted Christians in contemporary history as beatings, rapes, kidnappings and killings all increased.

The situation has only worsened in 2015. Even Christian-majority countries are seeing increases in discrimination, exclusion and violence.

The advancement of the Islamic State group and totalitarian governments like North Korea has contributed to the rise in persecution.

Nov. 1 marks the annual International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. In preparation, Open Doors USA is hosting a live webcast Friday, Oct. 30, 5-7 p.m. PST (8-10 p.m. EST).

CBN News will livestream the webcast at cbnews.com.

During the live webcast, Open Doors USA will provide expert commentary and give viewers the chance to ask questions of persecuted Christians from Iraq and Kenya through a live chat.

There will also be a rare interview with a North Korean woman who spent several years in a prison camp for her faith in Christ.

According to Open Doors President and CEO David Curry, the greatest need expressed by the persecuted may surprise most American Christians.

“Time and time again, those living under persecution and those who are refugees from it tell us that their greatest need is hope—hope found in their faith and hope born of the knowledge that Christians in the free world are remembering them in prayer,” Curry said.

For more than 60 years, Open Doors has worked in the world’s most oppressive countries, providing Bibles, training prayer and support for persecuted Christians.

“We need to be praying every day for the persecuted church. We need to take action to find where your passion lies and connect in ways to serve the persecuted church like you’ve never done before. I believe, I really believe that this is going to be the issue that we’re really challenged within the next decade,” Curry said.