Freedom To Worship God Without Fear
“Pope Leo XIV Condemns Brutal Machete Attack That Killed 49 Christians During Prayer In DR Congo
Jihadis Burst Into Sunday Service In Democratic Republic Of Congo As Part Of Campaign To Establish Islamic Caliphate
The Pope, the State Department, the United Nations and a leading Christian group have all condemned a new major attack on Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which the U.N. says left at least 49 dead.”
Many of you likely saw this headline or a similar report near the end of last month. You can read the full article published by Fox News at the following link: Fox News Article
The details are deeply disturbing. The attack was marked by unimaginable brutality and a complete disregard for human life. These heartless terrorists seem to be driven by a singular, sinister goal: to eliminate Christians at any cost. As we’ve seen in other parts of the world, they are often willing to sacrifice even their own lives in pursuit of their evil mission.
Unfortunately, these reports are becoming all too frequent. Though we rightly condemn the violence and may even pause to pray for the families of the victims, many of us quickly return to our daily routines. It’s a sobering reminder of how easily we can become numb to such evil when it feels far removed from our own lives.
As Christians in America, do we truly comprehend how blessed we are to worship God freely—without fear of arrest, torture, or death? The freedom to attend church, pray, and share our faith openly is a profound gift that we should never take for granted.
Take time this week to reflect on this as a family. Talk about it. Pray about it. And specifically lift up missionaries who live and minister in regions where the name of Jesus Christ can cost them everything. These men and women share the Gospel daily, fully aware that they may be arrested, dragged from their homes, beaten, imprisoned—or even killed—for proclaiming the Good News.
Please pray not only for missionaries but also for the countless Christians around the globe who worship under the constant threat of violence. Undoubtedly, the believers in the DRC that day were praying and worshiping with courage and faith, knowing the risks. And yet, they stood firm.
May we never forget their sacrifice. May we honor it and others who will make the same sacrifice with our prayers, our awareness, and our commitment to stand for truth no matter the cost.
Robert Stringfellow, Publisher
