Persecuted Brother

This story begins three years ago in a small, impoverished village within Syria. OM partners with the local church to reach out to the village, providing food packages and Christian literature to an area that has been suffering drought for many years. On one of these outreaches Ali*, a devout Muslim received a copy of the New Testament and began to read. Over the course of the following two years the Lord pursued Ali through the Scriptures and the witness and love of the local believers, until last year, he committed his life to Jesus! In the last year, Syria has destabilized significantly. Fighters ransacked Ali's village, captured most of the villagers and took them to a military camp. The men and women were separated and Ali was sent to buy food for his family. On his return, all of his food was taken from him, except the milk, which was for his youngest daughter. The following day Ali was thankful to be reunited with his family, but the joy was short lived. He learned that his wife and children had been severely beaten and one of his son’s arms had been broken. The next day they were woken at 5 a.m. to pray in Muslim tradition. Ali refused, explaining that he was a Christian, a follower of Jesus. He says that it is nothing short of a miracle that he was not killed for this act of defiance. The fighters were confused and asked to see his identity card; it showed him to be a Syrian and a Muslim. Ali explained that he had committed his life to Jesus a year ago so they decided to take Ali to the sheik. The sheik ordered Ali to bow and pray according to Muslim tradition: “You will pray.” Ali refused, but instead took the opportunity to tell his testimony to the sheik and all who were present. The sheik, unable to weaken Ali's resolve sent him away and deemed him insane. The only way that Ali and his family would be released from the camp is if they pay off the fighters, but they have not money to do so. Ali was allowed to ask for help and so contacted his pastor, who gave him what money he had and listened to all that had happened. Please pray for our brother Ali and his family, that the Lord would protect and rescue them from their captors, that they would not fall ill and that the money that the pastor gave for their release would be enough. Also pray for all those who have heard Ali's testimony and seen his courageous acts, that they might be convicted of the truth and power of the Gospel. Pray for continued endurance and wisdom for Ali in the face of persecution. Praise God for his miraculous hand of protection on Ali’s life. *Name changed