Three Men Martyred in Turkey

The details were grisly and shocking. The brutal murder of three Christians has the attention of many people in Turkey and around the world.

Susanne, the wife of the German missionary, told reporters, “Oh, God forgive them, for they know not what they do,” quoting Jesus’ words on the Cross.

Her words are powerful in a world where revenge is the norm.

Martyrs: The Seed of the Church

We do not know at this time what the impact of the murders and of her forgiveness will have on Turkey. Throughout the centuries, wherever martyrdom occurs, the church grows. As Tertullian, the historian, wrote, “in the blood of the martyrs lies the seed of the Church”.

I am impressed today that I need to be praying. I am going to start a page in my prayer notebook to write the names of martyrs in order to pray for the good that God will bring.

The first ones I am adding are: Tilman Geske, Pastor Necati Aydin, and Ugur Yuksel.

Will you join with me in praying that the seed sown in Turkey will grow to bring many Turks into God’s kingdom? God will make sure their deaths were not in vain.

Source: This illumination of martyrs is from an 11th century Byzantine manuscript and is the public domain on Wikimedia Commons.