Orissa Christian Girls Sold into Slavery

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Two years ago over 50,000 Christians in Orissa state, India were forced from their homes. In the aftermath of this persecution, it appears as if Christian girls were being rounded up and sold into slavery. Just this week came the story that a few of them were rescued. Roughly 60 girls were taken from the same area and sold into slavery. I thought how easily we forget our persecuted brothers and sisters when some new tragedy comes along. Two years later and our brothers and sisters in Orissa are still suffering. We must not stop praying for those persecuted around the world. Those of us who have not had to face this sort of suffering should cherish the freedom we currently have. Beatings, imprisonment, rape and death are part of every day life for some of our fellow Christians. Today we can celebrate the 3 who were saved, but we must remember the others who were not.

“Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.”

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The above quote is from Robert Pierce the founder of World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse. This prayer was found written in his Bible after one of his missionary trips. This quote has stuck with me since I read it several weeks ago. Is this the attitude of the church in America? I wish it was, but I fear we have forgotten those far away. Out of sight, out of  mind is more the attitude we see. In fairness, it is easy to forget the suffering and lostness happening in other places because we have been blinded by busyness. We have become so self-centered and self-focused that we  have blinders on when it comes to other nations. As I have been praying for which region of the World God would send our church to, some things have really stood out. The vast amount of lostness in India is mind-boggling. The great multitude of people in this country guarantees that you can turn in any direction and encounter millions of people who have never heard of Jesus. North Korea is the country ranked number 1 in persecution of Christians. North Korean Christians face persecution on a daily basis. Yet in the face of that persecution they remain faithful. Does your heart break for the lost in India and the persecuted in North Korea?  If not, why not? Jesus died for the lost and persecuted because he so loved the world. Should we as Christians not love and sacrifice for them in the same way as Jesus?  Lord, let our hearts be broken by the things that break your heart.