As I read today’s headlines “Sudan Judge sentences Christian Woman to Death for her Apostasy,” I was appalled. According to the article on MSN, after a hearing in which she was accused of leaving the Islamic faith and after being asked to recant her faith, Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag  “calmly told the judge: ‘I am a Christian and I never committed apostasy.””  http://news.msn.com/world/sudan-judge-sentences-christian-woman-to-death-for-apostasy

Her sentence: Death

The 27-year-old pregnant woman, is married to a Christian from South Sudan.  Her father is Muslim.

As I read this article I had to wonder how many American Christians would calmly state “I am a Christian” under penalty of death.  I suspect it would be far less than those who claim to be Christians.

While some of our freedoms as Christians are being challenged in the United States, and there is a definite media bias against Christianity, we can state we are Christians without fear of death.  I suspect some day in the future there will be a worldwide persecution of Christians. It is already happening in many countries, with North Korea at the top of the list, followed by Saudi Arabia.  ” According to the United States Department of State, Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution from their governments or surrounding neighbors simply because of their belief in the person of Jesus Christ.” ¹

We need to pray for Meriam.  Pray that she remains strong in her faith in the face of death.  Pray that she will be a witness for Christ to those who are surrounding her.  Despite the fact that other countries have intervened, asking for her freedom, this verdict was given.  I suspect she may die for her faith, as many have before her. She will see her Savior face-to-face.

Take time to think about your faith.  As an ordinary person,you may be challenged to remain faithful in trying circumstances, just like Meriam. Only faith in an Extraordinary God will see you through.

Matthew 10:32-37

1 Open Doors, About Christian Persecution, https://www.opendoorsusa.org/persecution/about-persecution