A former Muslim who was rejected by his father, beaten by his wife’s relatives and imprisoned after becoming a Christian continues to share his faith despite losing his home and much of his family life.
His experience features in this year’s International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians, observed on the first Sunday of November. The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), a Christian organisation supporting persecuted believers, is encouraging churches around the world to pray for Christians facing hostility because of their faith.
The organisation’s annual prayer video tells the story of Bassam, a Christian living on the Arabian Peninsula who faced serious consequences after leaving Islam and speaking publicly about Jesus.
Bassam said his conversion changed his life and made him determined to share the Gospel. However, when he told his wife about his new faith, she forced him out of their home and restricted his access to their daughters. He also said his brothers-in-law repeatedly assaulted him.
Despite these difficulties, Bassam has refused to return to Islam. He has given a Bible to his sister, and one of his daughters has also become a Christian.
“For many years, I was spiritually asleep. I didn't know the truth of who God is. But once I found Christ, I could not stay silent,” he said in the video.
He added that, whatever happened to him, he intended to continue telling people about Jesus.
Todd Nettleton, VOM USA’s vice-president of message and presenter of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, said the video was intended to give Christians a clearer understanding of the people they remember in prayer.
He told The Christian Post that it was easy for believers to offer general prayers for persecuted Christians without fully appreciating the hardships they experience. Bassam’s testimony, he said, helps show the reality of those struggles.
Nettleton said Bassam represented the kind of Christian whose courage and commitment should remain in the prayers of believers throughout the year, not just during the annual observance.
Churches are being encouraged to take part in the International Day of Prayer in whatever way suits their congregations. Some include prayers for persecuted believers in regular Sunday services, while others organise dedicated prayer meetings or focus on Christians who are forced to worship secretly.
VOM has made free materials available for churches, families and small groups, including Bassam’s testimony, prayer guides, discussion resources and materials for pastors. The organisation is also holding a 24-hour social media prayer event, publishing a new prayer request from persecuted Christians every hour.
Speaking about reports of Muslims converting to Christianity in different countries, Nettleton said some people described dreams and visions in which they encountered Jesus and were led towards the Christian faith or the Bible.
He also suggested that dissatisfaction with political and religious systems in some Muslim-majority countries could lead people to explore Christianity. Referring to conversations with Iranian Christians, he said some people had become disillusioned with the direction their country had taken under the Islamic Republic.
Nettleton also pointed to the impact of violence carried out by extremist groups claiming to act in the name of Islam. He said such experiences could prompt some Muslims to seek a different understanding of faith.
In India, meanwhile, Christian evangelism faces legal challenges in states that have introduced anti-conversion laws. Nettleton said 13 states had such legislation and argued that its broad provisions could make ordinary Christian activities difficult.
He referred to a pastor featured on VOM’s radio programme who was arrested under one of the laws and repeatedly beaten in prison. Despite his treatment, the pastor found opportunities to share the Gospel with other prisoners.
Supporters of anti-conversion laws say they are intended to prevent people from being forced or bribed into changing their religion. However, Nettleton argued that broad interpretations of what constitutes an inducement could leave Christians uncertain about which activities might attract legal action.
He cited examples such as offering refreshments before church services or allowing music to be heard outside a church building, saying such activities could potentially be treated as attempts to encourage conversion.
Nettleton urged Christians in Western countries to pray for Indian believers to remain courageous in sharing their faith despite the risk of arrest and other consequences.
He also addressed concerns about whether prayers offered thousands of miles away could make a difference to persecuted Christians. Recalling a conversation with a pastor from Vietnam, he said the pastor had told him that those praying for the country were working alongside Christians there.
Nettleton said prayer could unite believers across geographical boundaries and support Christians facing persecution in countries including Vietnam, China, those in the Middle East and Nigeria.
He urged Christians not to underestimate the value of prayer in strengthening and encouraging fellow believers enduring hardship for their faith.
Based on reporting by The Christian Post.
