North Korean Christians Seeks Prayers for Peace Amid Country's War Cries

north-korea11111.jpg
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presides over an urgent operation meeting on the Korean People's Army Strategic Rocket Force's performance of duty for firepower strike at the Supreme Command in Pyongyang, March 29, 2013. The sign on the left reads, ''Strategic force's plan to hit the mainland of the U.S.'' Reuters/KCNA

Christians living in North Korea have verified the war-like atmosphere in the country, and are asking fellow believers worldwide to pray.

“The military army, navy, air force troops, strategic rocket troops, the red guards and the red youth guards are already in combat mode. Urgent meetings are being held everywhere, regardless if it is day or night. At those meetings, officials make decisions on what needs to happen in case war breaks out and everyone, including women, needs to be combat ready,” reported a local church leader of the situation inside of North Korea, according to persecution watchdog Open Doors USA.

A Christian leader summarized the “high command” that North Korean people received, “We are to meet the decisive battle with a gun in one hand and a hammer in the other.”

Despite Kim’s war rhetoric and commands, the North Korean Christians and citizens fear war and its consequences.

Many locals have been stockpiling what food and supplies they can afford, said a believer in the oppressive country.

One North Korean Christian expressed his gratitude to the fellow believers in the West for their continuous support and love and said, “We know that our journey will not be an easy one, but we are sure that our faith, desperate hope and passionate desire will someday bear many fruit.”

“No matter how difficult life is for us, we never blame or complain about our circumstances. God has promised us in the Bible that if we seek His Kingdom first, all other things will be given to us as well. Please pray for us,” the person added.

An estimated 200,000-400,000 North Koreans secretly believe in Jesus Christ, with 60,000-80,000 said to be living in the communist country’s notorious labor camps, according to Open Doors USA.

“North Korea is [the] ONLY country Pew Research cannot rate on religious freedom due to lack of on-the-ground observers in [the] secretive regmine,” wrote Senior Pew Researcher Brian J. Grim this week. It has also been the No. 1 persecutor of Christians for 11 years in a row, according to Open Doors 2013 World Watch List.

According to The Christian Post, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reported in its 2012 findings on international religious freedom that North Korea “remains one of the world’s most repressive regimes, with a deplorable human rights and religious freedom record.”

The U.S. government has significantly increased military presence on the Korean Peninsula and Guam as it has vowed to defend its allies, such as South Korea and Japan, should Pyongyang attacks.

Jerry Dykstra, Open Doors USA’s spokesman, said in his statement Thursday, ““We must respond now to the Christian leaders’ request to pray for them. Pray for Kim Jong-Un; that God will work in his heart and he will pursue peace and not war. Pray for wisdom for leaders in the United States, South Korea and China. Pray for Christians who are put in even more danger due to war preparations. Pray families will find food to feed their families. Finally, pray that no matter what happens Christians will remain strong in their faith.”

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.