“All I do is sit in front of the television and cry,” says Ahmad (not his real name) from Saudi Arabia. “I was born and raised in an Islamic culture and didn’t know anything but Islam. However, I never found true peace in Islam.” Through a Christian satellite television channel, Ahmad became a follower of Jesus Christ.
“I feel great fear about declaring this. Until now I haven’t told anyone what has happened with me because the fear fills my heart that someone would discover that I have become a Christian,” he states.
Like Ahmad, more and more Saudis are responding to programs on Christian satellite television. Open Doors, partnering with national and international production companies, uses multimedia resources to train and disciple secret believers in the Middle East, and to encourage local Christians with professional Christian programs.
“God is clearly doing miracles in Saudi Arabia,” says Bruce, an Open Doors worker. “Sometimes people come to know God through a TV program, or sometimes God reveals Himself in a vision or a dream.”
One Saudi says, “I have completed my study of law and am working now. About a year ago I started watching the Christian TV channel, and day after day I found myself drawn to it. The programs are powerful and impacting. They taught me about the teachings of Christianity, which are about love and forgiveness toward others. I found that the message of Jesus gives assurance of salvation and eternal life. There are also important issues discussed on the channel. After my studies and my searching I decided to commit my life to the Lord Jesus Christ. I want you to pray with me.”
Another person who responded was a Saudi man with a Muslim background. “Since I was a child I was always asking questions about Islam in my religion classes in school,” he relates. “The teacher’s answer [to my questioning] was not convincing. And then I saw myself in a dream in a mosque; there was darkness. When I left the mosque I saw light, brilliant and strong.” After the dream he said that he became a Christian. He added, “I understood that I had been transformed from darkness into light. I am sure that Jesus is the true Light and I ask you to continue to pray for me.”
Saudi Arabia is ranked #4 on the 2011 Open Doors World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians. People who engage in public, and even private, worship risk arrest, imprisonment, lashing, deportation and sometimes torture. The seekers in Saudi Arabia need our prayers.
Father, thank You for the work You are doing in the hearts and lives of Saudi believers. Open the eyes of many to the truth and help them to stand firm so that in this land of spiritual darkness, a multitude will stand and praise Your name. Amen
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