Upendo Ministries

“And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” Acts 5:41

As you read this, there are hundreds of thousands of Christians in restricted and hostile nations who are fighting for their faith. Hundreds of our brothers and sisters have been falsley convicted of blasphemy against Islam and are now on death row. Some of them suffer beatings and interrogations every day. Young people and young adults are being shunned, beaten, and even killed by their families because they discovered the light, and decided to follow Jesus Christ as their savior.

Forty-nine countries in the world are majority Muslims. In each of those countries, there are Christians suffering persecution. For the past five months, I have taken a great interest in our persecuted brothers and sisters. I have read many books and done much research to find people who are currently struggling so I can specifically pray for them and their case. Today, my heart was broken when I learned that a man I was praying for had passed away.

Shahid Masih, 35, was a man living in Sheikhupura, Pakistan. He was accused by his brother-in-law of being an accomplice of the stealing of goats which belonged to Shahid’s employer, Muhammad Ijaz. Shahid was approached by Ijaz and other associates. With two of Shahid’s children, ages 13 and 12, present, these men forced acid down their father’s throat. This led to Shahid being taken to a hospital in Lahore and his oldest daughter and one of his sons being taken captive by Ijaz.

This is a statement by a journalist for Pakistan Christian Post: “Shahid’s ordeal is a stark reminder of the cruelty that Christians endure in Pakistan where they hold pariah status. No individual should ever endure such barbarity, particularly at the hands of employers they have served diligently. Our hearts ache for Shahid and his family, and our thoughts are fervently with them during this trying time.”

A week after being in the hospital, Shahid, a man counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus Christ, went to be with his Lord and Savior, after the acid deteriorated his esophagus and stomach. The most recent news article stated that two of his children have yet to be released. I can’t begin to imagine the distress his wife and children are facing in this time and I pray that they feel Christ’s arms around them during this tragedy.

There is a sixty-year-old woman who is imprisoned in Iran for at least six years because she converted to Christianity. She has an injury and is being denied medical care because she is a Christian.

A village that was home to three thousand Christian families in Egypt was attacked by Islamic extremists last month because they had obtained a permit to build a church. The extremists set fire to the houses and attempted to restrict them from exiting their houses. Thank God, there were no fatalities.

These are just a few stories of Christians who have been counted worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ. May we not forget our brothers and sisters around the world who are currently facing danger and persecution. As we pray for them, may we also take inspiration from their stand for Christ… even unto death.

Vanessa Smith ن

Sources: persecution.org and pakistanchristianpost.com