Libya (MNN) — In Libya, 97% of the population is Sunni Muslim, and religion is ingrained in the culture.

Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs, USA (VOM) says that in Libya, the Islamic faith makes religion is a common topic.

Because of this, Nettleton says that no matter the career, there are opportunities to have seed-planting conversations.

It’s also important that the unreached in Libya do not see Christianity as a Westernized or foreign thing and recognize that there are Libyans who are Christians.

“In the minds of a lot of people in that part of the world, that’s a pretty mind-blowing concept, that you could be a Libyan and be a follower of Jesus Christ,” Nettleton says.

“Certainly, it’s still an environment where you have to be very careful about overt kinds of gospel activity,” Nettleton says.

According to VOM’s Global Prayer Guide, Christian persecution in Libya primarily comes from friends and family and extremist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS).

“From the security standpoint, we do know of some Libyans who are currently in prison for their faith and have been sentenced to various lengths of time in prison,” Nettleton says.

Nettleton says the reason for imprisonment is likely not entirely due to their conversion but because the government saw a growing movement of Christians.

Like Libya, many countries in North Africa do not seem to receive media attention for the religious persecution.

To learn more about Christian persecution in different countries, Nettleton recommends using the Voice of the Martyrs Global Prayer Guide or the VOM app. These resources include information about persecutors, Christian life, and Bible accessibility.

Nettleton says that reading the entries equips people to pray for specific persecuted Christians in specific countries so that they may understand the situations and what they are praying for.

“The first step is to commit to praying, and however you’re equipping yourself or gaining more knowledge to do that, that’s great,” Nettleton says. “Voice of the Martyrs can help you do that, other ministries can help you do that, but it starts when we say, ‘Hey, I understand that I’m connected to these brothers and sisters who are suffering persecution, and I need to pray for them. That is a part of my responsibility as a member of the Body of Christ.’”

Some other strategic places to pray for right now include believers in northern Nigeria, Iran, and Eritrea.

“I always encourage people to pray for Eritrea. I think of seven pastors there who have been in prison there for more than 21 years,” Nettleton says.

Though religious persecution often goes underreported by secular media, it’s important to continue in prayer.

Nettleton hopes that the stories of what is happening in the world capture people’s hearts and make praying for others a regular part of their spiritual walks.

Please pray for Christians in Libya experiencing persecution for their faith that they will continue to show the love of Christ.

Pray that converts will find fellowship and encouragement in one another and that Libyans will witness to their families and friends despite the suffering it causes them.

Pray for Libya (Image courtesy of VOM USA)