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The eyes of the world will be on South Korea this week as the Olympics unfold in this beautiful country. But their neighbor to the north, North Korea, was named the worst persecutor of Christians in the world for the seventeenth year in a row by Open Doors. The conditions for Christians inside this politically closed, spiritually dark country are considered “extremely harsh,” with untold thousands imprisoned for their faith, many of them tortured and some used as human guinea pigs for testing biological and chemical weapons.
While the international community is legitimately concerned about North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, the world seems to be overlooking the ongoing and serious human rights violations being carried out by the repressive regime of Kim Jong Il.
Among the many atrocities taking place in North Korea is one of purposeful neglect. Though the leaders of the nation live in opulence, millions of citizens have died in famines that have ravaged the population since the 1990s. One study estimated that in 2006, 37% of the nation’s children were undernourished and more than 24% were underweight.
The national religion of North Korea is an ideology called Juche, developed by former leader, Kim Il Sung. Juche is a form of emperor worship that “centers on the worship of the country’s leaders.”
“Every religious activity,” notes Open Doors, “is recognized as an insurrection to the North Korean socialist principles.” The government has been especially zealous in its attempts to eradicate Christianity. “The people have been taught that Christians are ‘crazy people.’” Those who follow Jesus must worship underground. If they are discovered, they face arrest, torture, imprisonment and, often death.
Untold thousands of Believers are currently languishing in dozens of North Korean labor camps located throughout the nation. Along with torture, some are subject to chemical and biological weapons testing.
“In spite of these inhuman circumstances,” reports Open Doors, “Christianity is growing and the chances to hear the Gospel are growing especially for those who live in nearby China.”
North Korea is listed as the number one persecutor of Christians in the world on the Open Doors World Watch List 2018 of the top countries that are the worst persecutors of Christians in the world.
PRAY FOR:
the heart of Kim Jong Un and the other leaders of North Korea to be transformed by a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. (The Bible, II Corinthians 5:17)
an immediate end to the barbaric treatment of Christians and other citizens considered to be a threat to the repressive government. Pray for this mistreatment and abuse to be made public, capture the attention of the media, and for international governments to call for it to cease right away. (The Bible, Hebrews 4:13)
the Light of Christ to shine throughout this darkened nation. (The Bible, I Peter 2:9)
the Lord to be present with Believers who have been imprisoned, those being tortured, and with families who have lost loved ones. Pray for the Lord to comfort, strengthen, and encourage them. (The Bible, II Corinthians 1:3-5)
the Gospel to continue to spread in North Korea. Pray for Christians to share their faith with boldness, seeking to honor the Lord, despite fierce resistance. (The Bible, Ephesians 6:19,20)
Pray Christian Believers will be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (The Bible, Ephesians 6:10)
the Kingdom of God to come to North Korea with great and awesome power. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among the people, drawing multitudes into relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord today. Pray they will be discipled in the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven. (The Bible, John 6:44)
Sources: Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs, Barnabas Fund, Window International Network
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