Christian leaders across America joined other people around the globe on Sunday in praying for the Christian victims of persecution.
According to the Family Research Council (FRC), the persecution of Christians is now at an "unprecedented level" and is spreading widely "even in the United States."
"The call is to devote just a small portion of their time in their weekend services to pray and act on behalf of those around the globe who have been targeted for no other reason than their faith in Jesus Christ," FRC said in a statement issued before Sunday's "Stand with the Persecuted" event.
Apart from seeking prayers, the event was aimed to promote policies that protect persecuted Christians throughout the world.
"This past Easter, as we joyfully celebrated the resurrection of Jesus in our churches here in America, Christians elsewhere, like in Pakistan were targeted for death because of their Christian faith," said Tony Perkins, FRC president.
"As Christians here in American 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 said seven leading international religious liberty groups have come together to call on others to stand with the persecuted. They include Open Doors, the Institute on Religion and Democracy, The Voice of the Martyrs, In Defense of Christians, Christian Solidarity Worldwide-USA, International Christian Concern, and 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative.
Prominent Christian leaders James Robison, Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Senior Pastor of Cross Church (Springdale, AR), JC Church of Victory in Truth Ministries (Bucyrus, OH), Pastor Scott Craig of Big Horn Christian Ministries (Rapid City, SD), Senior Pastor Denny Stahl of Calvary Chapel Grants Pass, OR, Senior Pastor Robert Hall of Calvary Chapel Rio Rancho, NM, Senior Pastor Chuck Vizthum of Whole Life Christian Fellowship (Sturgis, MI), Pastor Jim Garlow of Skyline Church (La Mesa, CA) and Associate Pastor Kris Mineau of Trinity Evangelical (North Redding, MA) reportedly participated in the activity.
According to FRC, nearly 40,000 U.S. churches have been asked to participate in the activity where participants were called to view a brief, two-minute video, distribute a special bulletin insert and spend time in prayer for the "persecuted brothers and sisters internationally."
