14 June 2018

2018 World Cup: Pray when they play

The 2018 World Cup is here! Russia is hosting the month-long tournament to decide which country’s football skills come out on top, with 32 countries set to compete. But before we get caught up in all the hype, let’s not forget that seven of those countries are also on another list – the Open Doors 2018 World Watch List, which ranks the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian.

Joshua
Open Doors Team

Followers of Christ in Colombia, Egypt, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia are not free to live out their faith without facing many different kinds of persecution – rejection, isolation, denial of rights and freedom, and even violence. During the football season, let’s not forget the plight of our brothers and sisters in these countries, and continue to raise our voices on their behalf.

Pray when they play
Why not pledge to pray for the Christians in these countries every time they play a match? You'll find the dates of the fixtures for each country below.

Iran (#10) – Group B

The government is committed to Islam and important hardliners are very anti-Christian. House churches for believers from Muslim backgrounds have been raided and leaders given long prison sentences. That has led to many converts leaving abroad or keeping their faith a secret. The government has approved Armenian and Assyrian churches, but those who reach out to Muslims face harassment, physical abuse and imprisonment. Four Christians are just about to begin ten-year prison sentences for nothing more than exercising their faith.

Pray when they play: Friday 15 June (Iran v. Morocco) | Wednesday 20 June (Iran v. Spain) | Monday 25 June (Iran v. Portugal)

Saudi Arabia (#12) – Group A

The government is committed to a strict Islamic system that treats Christians as second-class citizens. Churches are not allowed, and migrant Christians (from India, Philippines and Africa) who meet for worship or share their faith with Muslims may be detained and deported. Saudi believers from a Muslim background face even more pressure, including death threats, mostly from extended family and Islamic leaders. But, numbers are growing and they are sharing their faith publicly, despite the serious consequences.

Pray when they play: Thursday 14 June (Saudi Arabia v. Russia) | Wednesday 20 June (Saudi Arabia v. Uruguay) | Monday 25 June (Saudi Arabia v. Egypt)

Nigeria (#14) – Group D

Nigeria is split between a largely Christian south and a largely Muslim north. Twelve states in the north are governed by Sharia law and radical teaching is common. Believers experience discrimination, exclusion and violence from militant Islamic groups, resulting in the loss of property, land and livelihood, physical injury, or even death; this is spreading southwards. Converts from a Muslim background face rejection from their Muslim families and pressure to give up Christianity.

Pray when they play: Saturday 16 June (Nigeria v. Croatia) | Friday 22 June (Nigeria v. Iceland) | Tuesday 26 June (Nigeria v. Argentina)

Egypt (#17) – Group A

Egypt has seen a rise in violent and deadly attacks against Christians; 128 were killed last year and many others were injured. The so-called Islamic State targets Christians and the government offers little protection.

Muslims who convert to Christianity face enormous pressure from their families and communities. Official recognition of conversion is almost impossible. Building new churches is becoming more difficult and church leaders are monitored by the state.
• Copts face discrimination in football

Pray when they play: Friday 15 June (Egypt v. Uruguay) | Tuesday 19 June: (Egypt v. Russia) | Monday 25 June (Egypt v. Saudi Arabia)

Tunisia (#30) – Group G

All Tunisians are registered as Muslims, and those who decide to become Christians face persecution from militant Islamic groups, the government, and even their families and friends. Christians have been arrested, beaten and evicted by their families. It is illegal for Muslims to marry non-Muslims, and no new church has been granted registration since 1956.

Pray when they play: Monday 18 June: (Tunisia v. England) | Saturday 23 June (Tunisia v. Belgium) | Thursday 28 June (Tunisia v. Panama)

Mexico (#39) – Group F

Corruption is rife in Mexico and those Christians who call it out will be in danger. Many pastors face intimidation and death threats because they offer an alternative to gang life and won’t pay bribes or protection money. Christian converts in indigenous communities are punished for leaving tribal religions. They can be expelled from their homes, while non-traditional denominations are discriminated against.

Pray when they play: Sunday 17 June (Mexico v. Germany) | Saturday 23 June (Mexico v. South Korea) | Wednesday 27 June (Mexico v. Sweden)

Colombia (#49) – Group H

Crime and corruption, led by criminal groups dominate Colombian life. Christians who stand against these gangs receive death threats. Many Christians are forced to pay a ‘protection tax’ against assault.

Violence is particularly intense when former gang members convert to Christianity. Persecution also comes from leaders of indigenous communities who perceive Christians as wanting to impose their world view.

Pray when they play: Tuesday 19 June (Colombia v. Japan) | Sunday 24 June (Colombia v. Poland) | Thursday 28 June (Colombia v. Senegal)

And one more...

North Korea is currently number 1 on the World Watch List – where it’s been for the last 17 years in a row. The country is currently engaged with summits and meetings with other world leaders – most recently, the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump.

In North Korea, Christians are enemies of the state. People, including children, are taught to report any suspicious activities amongst their family and community to the authorities. If Christians are discovered, they are deported to labour camps or killed on the spot; their families often share their fate.

Meeting for worship is also impossible, so it is done in secret. Despite this, there are an estimated 300-400,000 secret Christians in North Korea.

North Korea may not be playing in the World Cup tournament, but South Korea is. Why not pray for the North when the South is playing?

Pray when they play: Monday 18 June (South Korea v. Sweden) | Saturday 23 June (South Korea v. Mexico) | Wednesday 27 June (South Korea v. Germany)

Blow the whistle on extreme persecution

Open Doors Youth have produced some amazing resources to help you remember to pray for your persecuted family during the footy season – download them from the Open Doors Youth website.