In some countries political battles aren’t fought through elections and legislation, they are fought in the streets through lethal force.
And in one country, a simple grazing law caused opponents to retaliate and murder 23 Christians with bullets and machetes.
But despite over thousands of Christians slaughtered each year in this country — Christians still faithfully praise Jesus and are willing to not only serve Him but die for His name.
And despite persecution, still they press on.
In fact, one of the local pastors in this persecuted country even boldly claimed “we know our God will never disappoint us.”
The power of the Holy Spirit living in believers is what enables this pastor to speak so boldly with conviction. He knows God is sovereign and is in control even through persecution.
And without this faith and trust in God, these entire villages would be crippled with fear and paralyzed with grief.
The recent attacks on the villages in Benue State by the Islamic Fulani herdsmen point to an overreaching theme of persecution some claim is politically motivated.
Those living in the Benue State primarily make their living through farming. Sounds simple and peaceful, right? After all, how threatening can farming be?
But a passing of a law that restricts cattle grazing to certain areas apparently outraged the Islamic Fulani herdsmen who saw this as a direct attack on their culture of open grazing, reports Faith Wire.
And so to retaliate, they started slaughtering these Christian farmers.
International Christian Concern reported:
“The law has caused some of the herdsmen to claim that it was deliberately aimed at upturning their generational lifestyle and culture of nomadic cattle breeding, as well as a deliberate attempt to expel them from the state and deny them their constitutional right of freedom of movement. However, Taraba State, which shares a boundary with Benue, has also instituted a similar law, given the years of violence between the Christian farmers and Fulani militants.
“Until this incident, the situation had been relatively calm in Benue State for almost a year, and the majority of citizens were hopeful that the peace could be sustained. But with the resurgence of attacks, some local community leaders now believe that the Fulani militants likely refrained from confrontation to allow for a peaceful presidential election, having shown support for their kinsman President Buhari.”
We may take our political environment for granted here in America – sure, things get heated – but generally speaking people aren’t killed for their political beliefs.
But this attack goes deeper than politics, and points back to the Islamic Fulani militants’ desire to slaughter Christians.
Things have gotten so bad in Nigeria; Nigerian Christians have even reached out to President Trump asking him for help.
And according to Open Doors, persecution and violence against Christians in Nigeria remains at an all-time high and is ranked #12 on the World Watch List as one of the most dangerous environments for Christians.
However, despite suffering and persecution and even though churches and villages are burned to the ground, the Christians in Nigeria continue to praise God!
Imagine the testimony these Christians are sending to the non-believing world and to the Muslims who are literally slaughtering them.
The fact that Christians in Nigeria are willing to stay true to their faith no matter the cost speaks volumes.
And it’s not just Christians in Nigeria who are praising God, as Christian Life Daily previously reported, thousands of Fulani herdsmen are leaving Islam and converting to Christianity!
Let’s continue to pray for Christians in Nigeria to remain strong and faithful and continue to be salt and light to the world.
And let’s pray for more Islamic Fulani herdsmen to internalize the truth of Jesus and leave behind Islam for good!
The best news of all is nothing is impossible for God. Furthermore, we are called to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world and for those who don’t know Christ. So, let’s continue to do our part and stand in solidarity through prayer, and watch God continue to break the strongholds of darkness.
Were you surprised to learn about the recent attack on Christian Nigerians? What are your thoughts on the persecution taking place around the world? How has the pastor’s faith in trusting God even through persecution inspired you?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with your friends and family to enlist their help in praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Nigeria and around the world!
And be sure to check out this prayer video from Open Doors which encourages continued prayer for our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria.
