They want prayer and support.
One of the main challenges in supporting persecuted Christians worldwide is that many in the West are unaware of the extent of the suffering faced by their fellow believers, according to the president of Global Christian Relief (GCR). GCR is a leading advocacy group focused on supporting persecuted Christians and spreading the Gospel in regions such as Central and East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. The organization aims to raise awareness about the persecution Christians face globally and encourages Western Christians to stand in solidarity with those suffering for their faith.
David Curry, the president and CEO of GCR, explained that there has been a rise in the persecution of Christians over the past 15 years, and he believes it is crucial for people to wake up to this reality and take action. Last Sunday, GCR hosted a livestream event for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, which featured stories from individuals who have overcome hardship, including a survivor of Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria and an advocate for the underground church in North Korea. The event also highlighted lesser-known cases of persecution, such as a woman from Nepal who faced discrimination for leaving Hinduism.
While the persecution of Christians in places like Nigeria is widely recognized, Curry pointed out that countries like Nepal, where Christians face significant challenges, often remain overlooked. While violence against Christians in Nepal may not be as severe as in Nigeria, Christians in Nepal still face daily hardships, such as the difficulty of practicing their faith openly and peacefully. Curry emphasized that raising awareness about these struggles is crucial, as many Christians in Nepal are persecuted for simply wanting to read the Bible or attend church.
In addition to persecution from family members and the government, Christians in Nepal also face obstacles due to high illiteracy rates. To address this, GCR has worked with local partners to distribute audio Bibles in Nepali languages, helping Christians access Scripture in a way that suits their needs. Curry stressed that one of the most important ways Western Christians can support their persecuted brothers and sisters is through prayer, acknowledging that this is a spiritual battle. He encouraged people to use their voices to advocate for persecuted Christians and urged Western governments to take stronger stances on religious freedom and speak out for those suffering for their faith.