Dr. David Anderson

THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: REMEMBER, PRAY, AND FOLLOW CHRIST On this International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, we remember our brothers and sisters who suffer, are imprisoned, displaced, and even killed for the name of Jesus Christ. From Pakistan to Iran and across the world, their witness reminds us that persecution has never silenced the Gospel. The blood of the martyrs has become the seed of the Church. But let us approach their suffering with humility, never romanticising pain or injustice. Persecution is not a badge of superiority; yet, when faithfulness to Christ becomes costly, suffering can lead us into a deeper communion with the crucified and risen Lord. To the comfortable Church: do not let freedom make you forget the cross. To the persecuted: you are not forgotten, you are not alone. You belong to the one universal Body of Christ. As one who has served the Church in Iran and now in Pakistan, I carry you in my prayers and am grateful to have been carried in the prayers of the saints around the world. I remember this day the prayers of my dear friend and mentor Brother Andrew, committed stalwart and giant for the cause of a persecuted church being a strengthened Church. May we have the grace to say with Job: "Blessed be the name of the Lord." The Church may be persecuted, but the Gospel cannot be imprisoned. May our suffering brothers and sisters strengthen our resolve to walk more humbly, courageously and faithfully with Jesus Christ. Amen. — Archbishop of the Church of Pakistan and Former Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Iran #RFI #USCIRF #ADFInternational #IRF #ChristianSolidarity #ACNA #LambethPalace #AnglicanCommunion #GAFCON #PersecutedChurch #ReligiousFreedom #StandWithThePersecuted #FaithUnderFire #ChurchWithoutBorders #Article18 #JohnnieMoore