Some 215 million (source: Open Doors, 2017 World Watch List) Christians worldwide experience high to extreme persecution for practicing their faith. And their stories serve as powerful faith drivers for John and Monica Davis and others who pray for these embattled Christians as part of the Persecuted Church Ministry at Mariners.
“We go to church because we love God and we want to gather together with other believers and grow in our faith. But these people, when they go to church, they are literally taking their life into their hands. That’s a serious commitment,” John said. “It’s been life changing for me.”
The ministry at Mariners meets the last Sunday of each month between services to pray for Christians facing persecution in most every corner of the world and share updates on their needs. “We pray over these people to try to raise awareness and encourage one another to speak out when the situation arises, at coffee or over dinner,” Monica said.
For John and Monica, serving persecuted Christians has bolstered their own faith, which has been challenged severely at times as their daughter Noelle battles breast cancer. “These Christians have seen their fathers, children and wives murdered right in front of them, and yet they still call on the name of Jesus. They still have a passion,” John said. “For me, it’s kind of put things in perspective. I still have my daughter. And to me it just drives home the reality that God is in control.”
Monica believes in the power of collective prayer. Persecuted Christians “know that we are with them and they are not alone,” Monica said. The ministry “is an experience that I would never give up, just knowing the needs of others are out there suffering for Christ and knowing what he did to save souls.”
And the ministry also prays for the persecutors.
“We’re all God’s children, misguided or not. God loves them just like God loves me or the people they are persecuting. God came to save them just like the dreadful sinner that I am. They are in our prayers, too.”
By Dan Page, Volunteer Storyteller
