Protecting Religious Freedom 

“As President, protecting religious freedom is one of my highest priorities and always has been. Last year, our Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, hosted the first-ever Ministerial to Advance International Religious Freedom.

“In this year’s ministerial, Secretary Pompeo announced plans to create the International Religious Freedom Alliance — an alliance of like-minded nations devoted to confronting religious persecution all around the world.

“I’ve appointed a special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism. We’re standing up for almost 250 million Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith. It is estimated that 11 Christians are killed every day for the following — I mean, just think of this: Eleven Christians a day, for following the teachings of Christ. Who would even think that’s possible in this day and age? 

“With us today is Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was imprisoned in Turkey for a long period of time. Last year, my administration was thrilled to bring him back home after a very short and respectful negotiation with a very strong man — and a man who has become a friend of mine, fortunately — President Erdoğan of Turkey.

“I called the President, and I said, ‘He’s an innocent man.’ We’ve been trying to get Andrew out for a long time. ‘But I want to thank President Erdoğan, and I want to thank you, Pastor, for being here with us today. We did a good job with that negotiation, Andrew. You got back. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t pretty. But you got back. And we’re proud of you. You have a great family. And the love — when Andrew came back, the love from so many people, it was — actually, I hadn’t seen anything quite like it.” (President Trump)

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36; NKJV)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

  • Pray for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and establishment of the International Religious Freedom Alliance. Pray that many nations of the earth will desire to commit to setting standards of religious freedom in their nations.
  • Pray against anti-Semitism in America and the nations of the earth. It is the root of racism and many other evil things done to man.
  • Intercede for the persecuted Church. You can find stories and tools to help you here.
  • Thank the Lord for the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkey last year. Pray for his grace, strength, relationships, and livelihood to be restored. Ask God to move on President Erdoğan’s heart to let every religious captive in Turkey go free.

A prayer you can pray:

Father, I thank You for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the idea he had to begin the Ministerial for the Advancement of Religious Freedom. How moving it was to be in that room and hear the stories of those around the world who have been persecuted for their faith. What a shock to know this is happening all over the world in this day and age! I pray that all of the heads of state who heard the testimonies were moved to go back to their respective nations and work to enact legislation to end religious persecution in their nations. Let them join their nations to the International Religious Freedom Alliance. Lord, end ant-Semitism. Almost every nation has some form of it. Hatred for Your people must stop. Jealousy, envy, and every other emotion against them must stop. Racism and all kinds of other evil practices can be found where the Jews are persecuted. We pray also for the persecuted Church worldwide. People like Pastor Andrew Brunson are held in prisons around the world for no other reason than some country’s laws don’t want them worshiping Jesus. Or, they don’t want them talking about Jesus or sharing His Life and Light with others there. Thank You for bringing Pastor Brunson home. Thank You for convicting President Erdoğan and moving on him to set Pastor Brunson free. Give us more opportunities to share the gospel message. Protect our freedom of religion across the world, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today’s decree:

Jesus, set the persecuted Christian captives free!
Excerpted from “Remarks by President Trump at the United Nations Event on Religious Freedom | New York, NY”, 09/23/2019.