In Nigeria, schoolchildren are being kidnapped and held for ransom by terrorists who use their lives as a negotiation tactic.
Parents feel helpless and paralyzed since they could never afford to pay the ransom to get their child back – and their despair has turned towards the government whom they feel has done nothing to solve the continued crisis.
But terrorists are not only targeting children, they’re also going after Christians with a vengeance and you won’t believe how dangerous Nigeria has become.
Terrorists are learning they can make a huge profit by kidnapping children and demanding a ransom.
When the government pays the ransom, the terrorists know they can get away with it over and over again with no consequence.
NPR reported on the harrowing stories of several kidnapped girls, many who kept secret diaries.
One girl even hid an old cell phone and had typed messages documenting her experience, not knowing if anyone would ever read them.
The young girl typed one message to her mom (knowing she may never see it) that said:
“Be patient …Pray that God shall touch the heart of Boko Haram terrorists so we can be set free.”
This amazing act of faith while enduring unthinkable horror shows just how deep the roots can be for someone who believes in the power of God to change hearts.
Instead of cursing God, she trusted Him.
As Christians continue to lose their lives at the hands of extremists, Nigeria has become one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian.
Faithwire reported:
“Nigeria was the country with the most Christians killed for their faith last year (November 2019-October 2020), at 3,530, up from 1,350 in 2019, according to Open Doors’ 2021 World Watch List. In overall violence, Nigeria was second only to Pakistan, and it trailed only China in the number of churches attacked or closed, 270, according to the list.
Nigeria also led the world in a number of kidnapped Christians last year with 990, according to the report. In 2021, Nigeria broke into the top 10 countries for the first time, where it is most difficult to be a Christian, jumping to No. 9 from No. 12 the previous year.”
While the situation in Nigeria seems bleak, we serve a powerful God.
Let us continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Nigeria who are being persecuted for being a Christian. May they hold strong and keep the faith during these unimaginably terrifying times.
In addition, let us pray for the sweet children who have been kidnapped and tortured, that every child will be brought home and reunited with their families.
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