International (MNN) — When you look back at this year’s Christmas, what memories do you have? For many Christians around the world, it was a tense day.
Authorities in several countries, including Poland, Türkiye, and Germany, reported stopping planned attacks on Christmas markets. Meanwhile, believers in persecuted countries stayed on high alert, taking extra precautions to remain safe during the holiday.
“We know that Christians are at extra risk at Christmas time,” says Todd Nettleton from The Voice of Martyrs USA. “And in recent years, we’ve seen attacks in Nigeria, in Iraq, in Egypt, in DRC. There were threats last year in one particular district of Bangladesh.”
This year in India, a children’s carol choir was attacked. In Indonesia’s West Java province, Muslims blocked Christians from celebrating Christmas. Attackers choose the Christmas season intentionally.
(Image courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs, USA)
“Those who hate Christians and hate the gospel, Christmas is a great opportunity for them,” says Nettleton. “If you want to make a statement about how much you despise Christians, then what better day than the day they are celebrating the birth of Christ?” he adds.
He explains that during celebrations, large numbers of Christians gather in one place, making them a ‘soft target’. Both church leaders and congregants are exposed to potential attackers, and worship services and community events can be disrupted.
Even so, believers try to take precautions. Sometimes they assign someone to watch outside in case danger appears. However, their main hope is on God.
“At the end of the day, they’re relying on the Lord to protect them,” says Nettleton.
In many persecuted countries, Christians live with the awareness that an attack could come at any time. While Christmas and other Christian celebrations can bring heightened risk, the danger isn’t limited to special occasions. Any day could be the day they suffer an attack.
That’s why the prayers of the global Church matter so deeply. For believers living in tense communities, prayer is not abstract — it is a lifeline, a source of courage, and a reminder that they are not forgotten.
Pray for the persecuted church, and visit VOM’s website at persecution.com to learn more.
Header photo courtesy of VOM USA.
