As million of Christians worldwide are preparing to join the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church in November, a powerful new video resource has been released to help them focus their prayers for the persecuted church.
To help prayers and aid discussion, Release International has produced a DVD containing moving video reports and testimonies from persecuted Christians in North Korea and Nigeria.
The first highlights the plight of Christian refugees fleeing famine and persecution in North Korea along the so-called underground railroad.
The second report from Nigeria features amazing stories of courage and forgiveness from Christians suffering intense persecution. It goes on to address vexed questions - such as how can Christians forgive those who are determined to kill them.
'Flight from North Korea' describes the predicament of Christians whose entire families face imprisonment and even death for their faith.I believe God's plan to call me to China is to train me and send me back. Even though I may be put into prison and killed, I will go.
Korean Refugee in China
Those who evade the border guards with their shoot-to-kill policy face appalling hardship and exploitation in China. One woman describes how she was captured by traffickers and repeatedly bought and sold as a slave.
However, many are becoming Christians in China and some return to North Korea to share their faith and share the Gospel, despite the increased risk of death and imprisonment.
One refugee told Release International, "I believe God's plan to call me to China is to train me and send me back. Even though I may be put into prison and killed, I will go."
In addition, 'When Persecution Comes' reports from Nigeria, where militant mobs have burned down churches and killed Christians in their homes. This interactive report invites viewers to join Nigerian Christians in the struggle to answer tough questions like: "Could you forgive those who tried to kill you - even though they might try again?" And "Should Christians ever defend themselves against their attackers?"
Rev Augustine Aifuobhokan, whose family was threatened with death and whose church was burnt down told RI: "I pray that God will forgive them, that they may come to profess the faith they sought to destroy."
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is scheduled to take place on 19th November, and Release International's new DVD resource package 'Prayer Works!' includes scripts and a PowerPoint presentation to easily create a structured prayer time.
The DVD resource can be ordered from the Release International website www.releaseinternational.org
