Christians were targets for terror this Christmas. Here are 4 ways we should respond

From Bangladesh to Nigeria to New Orleans, hundreds fell victim to Islamic inspired terrorism over the Christmas period, says Tim Dieppe. Jesus’ instruction to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” continues to be relevant

In the week leading up to Christmas, 46 people were killed in various attacks across Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Open Doors. Some of these Christians were attacked on their way home from church on Christmas Day. 

In Sudan, a congregation of 177 Christians was attacked during a Christmas prayer service, with soldiers threatening to kill all Christians in the area. In Bangladesh, there were death threats for those attending Christmas services. In Turkey, there was an armed attack on a church on New Year’s Eve. In Syria, a Christmas tree was set on fire and a church was attacked.

These attacks serve as a reminder that many Christians around the world live with the very real threat of persecution on a daily basis.

In the West, we are fortunate not to suffer such brutal threats and persecution, but nonetheless Islamic terrorism is sadly not uncommon. The attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day killed at least 15 people and wounded dozens more when the attacker, Shamsud-Dun Jabbar, drove a rental truck into a crowd. An Islamic State flag was found in his vehicle, and Jabbar is know to be a convert to Islam who was growing ‘increasingly devout’ in his religion.