As Christian persecution across the globe reaches levels never before seen, churches throughout the U.S. will devote time during Sunday worship services to pray for victims by taking part in "Stand With the Persecuted Sunday."
Eight prominent religious liberty organizations — Open Doors USA, the Institute on Religion & Democracy, The Voice of the Martyrs, In Defense of Christians, Christian Solidarity Worldwide USA, International Christian Concern, 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative and the Family Research Council — are calling on over 40,000 American churches to designate a small portion of their services this weekend to pray for those around the globe that have been persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
Besides prayer, the initiative also calls on churches to show a brief video highlighting the plight of Christians across the world, distribute a special bulletin insert, participate in practical ministries and promote policy and legislation designed to protect the persecuted.
According to the 2016 Open Doors World Watch List, 2015 proved to be the worst year for Christian persecution the organization has ever recorded. As over 7,000 Christians were killed for their faith, more Christians were killed during Open Doors' 2015 reporting period than any previous reporting period.
"As Christians here in America, we have an obligation to pray for and act on behalf of our brothers and sister in Christ who are being persecuted for their faith," FRC President Tony Perkins said in a statement. "The persecution of Christians is at an unprecedented level and we are even seeing it here in the United States, but the hostility that Christians here in America are facing pales in comparison to the mistreatment, displacement, violence, rape, crucifixions, and beheadings experienced by followers of Jesus in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Pakistan, and other parts of the Middle East and beyond."
A number of churches have already indicated that they will take part in "Stand With the Persecuted Sunday."
Among the churches that have indicated thus far that they will participate in the initiative are the Cross Church megachurch in Arkansas headed by Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd and Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego headed by Pastor Jim Garlow.
"I think many churches are aware of the rise of persecution across the globe, but as to praying for them and taking action, calling upon leaders to intervene, this could be improved upon dramatically," Floyd stated in an email to The Christian Post. "Yet, this is why we educate them through Sundays like this."
According to Floyd, standing with the persecuted means to become "their voice for religious liberty" and call "upon national and global leaders to intervene on their behalf."
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
