Persecution in Northern Nigeria

In recent months there have been reports of Christian persecution in predominantly Muslim Northern Nigeria. This past week, Compass Direct News reported members of a church had been forced underground as a result of death threats and numerous other dangers. As I have been praying and thinking of the courageous believers who remain faithful in the midst of great persecution, I came across an inspirational devotional in the book, Extreme Devotion, written by The Voice of the Martyrs. As you read the devotional below, I challenge you to pray for Christians in Nigeria, especially in Northern Nigeria. Ask God to give them boldness and protection as they faithfully live their lives in the midst of danger. Pray that their lives will be a testimony that draws their persecutors into the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Extreme Bounty: Northern Nigeria (p. 351)

“In northern Nigeria, Muslims have instituted Sharia Law—the strictest Islamic legal code. Christians dominate the Nigerian population, so the Islamic leaders insist that the law only applies to domestic matters for Muslims. However, the Christians know better. Hundreds of their churches have already been destroyed. If they are rebuilt, they are burned down again. Many Christians are being martyred.

In the city of Kaduna in northern Nigeria, one church leader claims that Muslim extremists have placed a bounty on the head of all Christian leaders, offering one hundred thousand naira (about one thousand U.S. dollars) for each one killed. Likewise, there was also a bounty on Christ’s head, and he was betrayed for just thirty pieces of silver.

With the continued threat, some believers are contemplating fighting back. But one Christian leader recently challenged believers in Kaduna: “In the midst of this we need to remember our Lord’s teaching about turning evil to good and patiently suffering in the face of what is happening. And because Nigeria is a proclaimed democracy, there is a responsibility for Christians to make sure everyone is treated justly and fairly.”

Christ delivered a similar challenge almost two thousand years ago: “’Love the Lord your God’ …This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39).

To purchase Extreme Devotion go to www.vombooks.com