Evangelical Christians in the San Cristóbal municipality of Chiapas State have faced opposition from other villagers for several years. In May 2016, 84 homes in the area were looted and partially destroyed, forcibly displacing 350 evangelicals. A year ago, these believers were prevented from constructing a church building and again forced to leave.
In the latest incident, the homes of five Christian families in the community of Mitzitón were destroyed on 10 January, and 30 people were expelled.
Many of the Tzotzil people, who practise a combination of traditional Aztec beliefs and Catholicism, have been strongly opposed to the growth of evangelical Christianity in their community. Sometimes they have blamed neighbouring followers of Christ for the misfortunes they themselves encountered.
The expelled Christians now must wait for a decision to be made by local leaders, determining if or when they will be allowed to return.
Sources: Evangélico Digital, Christian Post
- Pray that the Lord’s provision and protection will be upon all these persecuted Christians, including those who have been driven from their homes.
- Pray they will be allowed to return and live peacefully within their community.
- Ask God to soften the hearts of their opposers, that they may come to realise the hope and saving grace that are available to them through faith in Jesus Christ.
Post your prayers in the comments below.
Praying for their strength, being allowed back home, and perseverance and trust in Christ
Father God, bless Your persecuted children today. Thankyou that You see all their troubles and that You care. Protect and provide for them. Comfort them with Your word which calls them blessed and gives assurance that the kingdom of heaven belongs to them (Matthew 5:10). Help them to continually entrust themselves to You, the just Judge (1 Peter 2:23), so they are free to do good and know Your peace. Amen
Lord we bring you these persecuted christians before you today. We thank you for their strong belief and trust in you.Lord please protect each one, from the fiery darts of the enemy. May those who are doing the persecution come to know you as a result of these people too. Lord please bring those who have been driven from their homes back to where they belong, and may you soften the hearts of the local leaders,so they can see these christians mean no harm to them or others, and that they are worshipping you in Spirit and Truth.
In your mighty name Yeshua we pray
Gracious God and Father, amen to the prayers above. We pray for the nation of Mexico, for its leaders and peoples, millions of whom are enslaved to superstition, materialism, poverty, lawlessness and violence. We beg you to pour out your Spirit upon the nation. We ask you to raise up labourers for the harvest and to see your gospel grow throughout the land. We thank you for the many faithful servants seeking your glory. Please enable them especially these Evangelical Christians in the San Cristóbal municipality of Chiapas State to respond with grace and love to the persecution and discrimination they are suffering. May they be a true and faithful witness to the work and person of Jesus Christ. Lord have mercy.