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Christianity Today, March, 2009 |

Standing with the Desolate

The anguish of working for those who suffer for their faith.

Ziya Meral | posted 3/25/2009 10:09AM

On nights like this one, when I find myself enveloped in alien darkness in an alien hotel room in a faraway land, I hear crying that the silence carries. The faces of all the people I know who are suffering ...

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Frank

Posted: March 28, 2009 6:03 AM

As a missioanry for 22 yrs. in a country where evangelical Christians were persecuted even up to 30 yrs. ago, we are sensitive to the suffering of persecuted Christians and pray for them at our church almost every week. We've had special presentations from ministries who work in Muslim, Buddhist, communist and other countries where Christians suffer for their faith and our national believers have helped with special offerings and regular prayer. Last year when 3 Christians were murdered in Turkey 20 of us joined in a local demonstration in protest for such an atrocity. Thank you Ziya for giving us a renewed burden for intercession for these brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer so much for their faith. May God help them and strengthen you as you strive to serve them and alleviate their trial of suffering through your work in human rights.

tom s

Posted: March 27, 2009 5:10 PM


How unworthy it can feel to compare oneself with someone who gives so much. Humility, and selflessness, and courage. . . right up there with faith, and hope, and love. Reach clearly exceeding the grasp . . . what else are the heavens for?

robert barrett

Posted: March 26, 2009 7:13 PM


Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life, and NO one can get to the Father except through Him Jesus Christ. Anyone who suffers because they follow a false religion is a fool for the devil. To help them because they face persecution is also foolish. You should just share the Gospel and show them the arrorws of their ways.

Ross Campbell

Posted: March 26, 2009 11:31 AM

While we certainly deplore the abuse and injustices of Iranian authorities towards Baha'is,we consider that readers should be informed that The NSA of Baha'is,of the U.S.is acting with a similar attitude and plans towards Orthodox Baha'is in America as the attitude and plans of Iranian authorities towards Bahá'ís there.The NSA of Baha'is, of the U.S.is attempting to use U.S.Courts to force Orthodox Baha'is, to stop practicing their Faith, stopping them from identifying themselves as Baha'is,or using the name Baha'is, or the symbols of their Faith. The NSA failed in its Court Action to deprive Orthodox Baha'is, of their freedom of religion the NSA filed an appeal of Judge Amy J. St. Eve's decision in favor of the Orthodox Baha'i Faith. Here is the link to the the Court action: http://www.truebahai.com/court_case.html

Lois Hudson

Posted: March 26, 2009 11:03 AM

I, too, was immensely moved by this article. I have often felt overwhelmed at the extent of misery and suffering and evil in the world, feeling completely powerless to make even one bit of difference. I am not in the line of fire, nor can I be at this stage of my life. Where does one start? One doesn't, but The ONE does, and my participation can and must be in constant, fervent prayer. Thank you for this encouraging reminder that those of us at home in comfort are not without obligation and opportunity to stand with others in their pain. May that be encouraging to you as you stand in those lonely hotel rooms.

Dianne

Posted: March 26, 2009 9:22 AM


This touched and challenged me so much that I shared it with my family. I also looked up Bonhoeffer's poem that you reference. What a poem!

Philip

Posted: March 26, 2009 8:57 AM


God bless the ex-Muslims called out from Islamism. Only the Holy Spirit can comfort those afflicted for their faith.

donna bristow

Posted: March 26, 2009 4:53 AM


Thank you Ziya for this thoughtful article. You're right, we're not Jack Bauers (thankfully) and the small ways we help others makes a difference.

Maria

Posted: March 25, 2009 10:36 PM

An honest account of suffering without offering easy answers that oftentimes dilute the reality of how it is like to be in a situation of difficulty that threatens one's very life. Thank you for not writing with a triumphalistic tone but with authenticity and faith of God's presence in the midst of all the suffering. I am a 3rd world Christian who try to live out faith in the midst of everyday poverty and corruption. I also oftentimes struggle to make sense of it in the light of who God is. To read your account is deeply refreshing and encouraging. Thank you, Ziya. The world needs to hear voices like yours!

Gregory Peterson

Posted: March 25, 2009 7:53 PM


Genuinely moving. I can make a suggestion on where to begin with the "doing" part. Think specifically about the Golden Rule now and then. If I were my neighbor, how would I want to be treated...with respect, compassion and dignity, for starters.

Dana	Posted: March 25, 2009 6:12 PM


I, like Alison, want to know what can I do? What can I do? This is heartbreaking and I am warm and dry in my suburban home, far from persecution. I want ... to help.

alison

Posted: March 25, 2009 5:06 PM


What can I do? What can I do?

Karen DeGraaf

Posted: March 25, 2009 4:28 PM


thank you so much, Ziya, for your compassionate and honest account of what it's like as one person in the face of such persecution and suffering. You have not minced words, but have used them powerfully. i hope many will hear.

Chris Turner

Posted: March 25, 2009 4:01 PM


A powerful call to my complacent faith!!!! I am humbled. How God wants to use us!! How I keep Him at arms length. Thank you for hearing His call and responding. You are a voice calling in the wilderness.

Victoria

Posted: March 25, 2009 3:33 PM


Ziya, thank you for your heart of compassion. You are not alone in your struggle.

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