The 2022 Open Doors “World Watch List” of the 50 countries where Christians are persecuted the most makes for sober reading. And while 68 percent of these countries are Muslim-majority nations, a recent Pew report showed that globally Muslims suffer harassment in almost as many countries as Christians, often from followers of other faiths.
Christianity is no stranger to persecution. Imagine the heartache of early followers of Jesus’ teaching when Stephen, a model Christian “full of faith and power” who “did great wonders and miracles” (Acts 6:8), was stoned to death.
Although his loss was such a blow, there was a silver lining. Despite the brutal injustice, Stephen had held his ground spiritually and lived the Christian love he had professed. His final act was a prayer for his persecutors, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60).
