N. Korea Freedom Day Rally Features Persecuted Church
The rally on Friday echoed the calls of abductees, defectors, human rights advocates, and congressmen to achieve human rights for North Koreans and return abductees. It also spotlighted the issue of the persecuted church.
WASHINGTON – As one of the most anticipated events planned for North Korea Freedom Week, the rally on Friday not only echoed the calls of abductees, defectors, human rights advocates, and congressmen to achieve human rights for North Koreans and return abductees, but it also spotlighted the issue of the persecuted church.
Open Doors USA president and CEO, Dr. Carl Moeller, was one of the speakers during the North Korea Freedom Day Rally held Friday at the U.S. Capitol. In his speech, Moeller addressed the severe persecution of the church and those who suffer because of their Christian faith.
“It is believed that thousands of Christians are currently suffering in North Korean prison camps,” said Moeller in the article On North Korea, a Country Spotlighted During the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, handed out during the rally. “The country is suspected of detaining more political and religious prisoners than any other country in the world.”
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“The government will arrest not only the suspected dissident but also three generations of his or her family to root out the bad influence. Kim Jong Il is the ‘Dear Leader’ and has been exalted and revered as a god to be followed with unquestioned obedience.”
Reports have indicated that Koreans and tourists are expected to bow to the portraits and statues of Kim Il Sung. Moreover, the Communist government has created its own “trinity” – Kim Il Sung (the father), Kim Jong Il (the son) and the Juche ideology, according to Open Doors USA.
In the 2006 Open Doors World Watch List, North Korea was ranked the country with the world’s worst persecution of Christians for the fourth straight year.
As a result of the severe persecution in the totalitarian state, Open Doors has launched a Prayer Campaign for North Korea. The goal of the campaign is to pray for North Korea twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
“The power of prayer has made a difference around the world and we need Christians to unite in powerful, consistent prayer for North Korea,” noted Moeller, referring to the Prayer Campaign for North Korea. “According to an Open Doors co-worker, many people in the underground church in North Korea are aware of the Open Doors international prayer campaign. The fact that other Christians know about them and pray for them gives them so much strength and hope, he says.”
Open Doors requested prayers for specific topics such as child beggars, guards/prisoners, and underground Christians.
“On behalf of the suffering Christians, I ask you to continue to pray, because without prayer support they can’t spread the gospel and do not find the strength to remain faithful. Without prayer, the North Korea church can’t survive.”
For more information about the North Korea Prayer Campaign visit:
www.opendoorsusa.org
