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Published: 00:01 GMT Daylight Time - Friday 06 April 2012

Lent Prayer - Martyrs

Project(s): 00-345

Country/Region: Egypt, Middle East and North Africa, Nigeria, Africa

In October 2011 a 17-year-old Christian, Ayman Nabil Labib, was beaten to death by Muslim classmates at his school in Egypt. His Muslim teacher told him to remove or cover up the cross on his wrist, but Ayman bravely refused; instead he revealed that he wore another cross under his clothes. Incited by the enraged teacher, some of the students then beat him savagely, and he died at the scene. At the time of writing two of the students have been arrested and charged, but not the teacher or any other staff. Ayman was described by other Egyptian Christians as a “Martyr of the Cross”.

martyrs-4x3.jpg
Ayman Nabil Labib was beaten to death by his Muslim classmates in Egypt when he refused to conceal his cross

Every year many Christians are killed because of their faith in Christ. And throughout the Christian centuries, many of God’s people have been called to follow their Lord in the way of the cross, even to violent death at the hands of others. Good Friday, when we remember the suffering and death of Christ for our sins, provides an opportunity to give thanks for these martyrs and to reflect on their example.

The Biblical word for “martyr” can also mean “witness”. Those who give their lives for the sake of Christ bear witness to their Christian hope, of vindication through His blood and resurrection through His power. When Muslims asked Nigerian pastor Isma Dogari and his travelling companions in April 2011 “Is there any pagan among you?” he replied, “I am not a pagan, but a servant of the living God. You need Jesus in your life.” They told him to renounce his faith, and when he refused they beat him and gouged out his eyes; but he persisted in his testimony: “You need Jesus.” Finally they stabbed him and burned him to death. Other Christians, who were with him, described him as a great hero of faith.

As we praise God today for the sacrifice of Christ for us, let us also give thanks to the Lord for the faithfulness and bravery of those who have died for Christ in the past year. Pray that their example may inspire us in whatever pressure or persecution we may experience because of our faith. Pray especially for the families of Ayman and Isma as they face the future without their loved ones; may they find comfort and strength in the Lord at this difficult time. Pray that those who persecute and kill Christians will be prompted to believe in Christ by their victims’ patient endurance.

Barnabas Aid projects include:

  • Victims of Violence Fund (Ref. 00-345)

This article is taken from

“Praying for the Persecuted Church in Lent 2012” - Download.

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Lent Prayer - Martyrs

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christian, persecution, charity, church, persecuted, sookhdeo, Islam

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