5 Things to Know about the Persecution of Christians

Jay Sekulow is regarded as one of the foremost free speech and religious liberties litigators in the US, and said America needs to do more to protect Christians here and abroad. “Christians face more persecution today than at any time in history, from jihadist regimes, to Muslim mobs, to genocidal terrorist armies. America can and must do more to protect these persecuted Christians around the globe.” You don’t have to go overseas to witness persecution of Christians. We see it on American soil. Schools ban prayer from football games. We hear about crosses being taken down since its offensive to people. In 2014, a mother was forced by the courts to take down a memorial cross honoring her son on the road side, as an atheist was offended by its meaning. Another incident happened in a Colorado high school. The board banned a group of students from singing Christ-centered songs after complaints were lodged by parents.

Persecution is Getting Worse

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Islamic terrorists are killing Christians, American Christians, and journalists. American Pastor Saeed remains prison in Iran, and we negotiate a deal with Iran before his release? It’s “unconscionable” Sekulow wrote. Saeed was taken three years ago by authorities in Iran where he’s been starved and beaten in Evin Prison. Saeed penned the following letter to his wife and supporters:

"I know that so many of you have felt that I have been left behind after a deal was reached with Iran and I am still not home. I want you to know that as I wrote the thank you letter to President Obama after he had visited my family in January of this year (which he read at the national prayer breakfast), that God is in control of all countries and leadership in the world when the body of Christ comes together in united prayer. He is in control and He is the One who beautifully writes the history over all governments, presidents, and any P5+1 negotiating team. We are all looking for a safer, more friendly world and because of this desire many of us are happy and others un-happy about the deal. Please join me in using these emotions that have been awakened to give fervor to united prayer for God’s chosen nation, for America, and for the whole world."

Pastor Saeed in chains for Christ and chained together in unity.

In this modern era people and countries are more hostile towards Christians than ever before. Animosity towards Christianity reportedly reached record numbers in 2014, according to Open Doors USA. China reached a 300 percent increase in abuses towards believers in 2014, and the president of Open Doors said the trend is expanding at an alarming rate.

Freedom to Pray

The separation of church and state started over 50 years ago when parents sued the state of New York on the mandatory prayers cited in public schools. The US Supreme Court later ruled to end state sponsored prayers, but many were free to pray on their own time. No more. Students were able to pray at a West Virginia school, but complaints from Religion Foundation forced the board to stop any form of student prayer in school, or school event. A Gallup poll found that 61 percent of Americans support prayer in school. Prayer is a form of expression and gives people the freedom to find peace. But it remains a hot button topic for many, despite if it is done in a student's free time.