Courageous Christians Living in Frightening Times
“Standing in the Fire” is a captivating account of the untold stories of Christians facing severe persecution in the heart of the Middle East. In his fascinating narrative, Doyle takes readers behind the headlines and statistics, delving into the lives of eight courageous individuals who refuse to bow to the flames of adversity.
From Osama and his miraculous escape from the Syrian firing squad to Sami, a native Palestinian from Gaza, bringing Jews in Israel to the feet of Jesus, Doyle paints vivid portraits of those who stand resolute in their beliefs despite the frightening and life-threatening circumstances that surround them.
Doyle, drawing on personal experiences and interviews, offers a perspective on the human cost of faith in regions where Christianity is a minority. The book provokes you over and over again to consider the sacrifices made by these individuals and prompts a renewed commitment to supporting persecuted Christians worldwide and praying for them.
In one amazing account from “Standing in the Fire,” readers are introduced to Farid, a Syrian believer, who never ceases to pray for Rashid, the man whose death threats fill Farid’s every day. However, Farid doesn’t succumb to these threats and fear they would want to bring but trusts God for his and his family’s lives.
Following is a short excerpt from Farid’s story:
“I don’t have time anymore for your threats,” Farid stood up and faced Rashid. “I’m tired of reading your death wishes for me, Rashid. I come tonight in the name of Jesus, and I want this to stop! If you want to kill me, now’s your chance!”
Color drained from Tima’s face. She grabbed her husband’s arm. “No, Farid!”
Farid pulled away from his wife and walked to the middle of the living room. His knees bent slowly as Farid lowered himself into the execution position. Bowing his head, he spoke again, “Go ahead, Rashid. Get your knife – the one you promised to kill me with. I’m ready to die for Jesus.”
Farid’s narrative is a testament to the unshakable spirit of those profiled in “Standing in the Fire.” His story illustrates the harsh realities faced by Christians in regions of turmoil and underscores the extraordinary courage required to stand firm in the face of persecution.
In conclusion, “Standing in the Fire” is not just a book—it’s a call to witness, understand, and champion the cause of those who refuse to be consumed by the darkness that seeks to extinguish their faith.
Additional Note
We highly recommend including this book in your high school reading list. It will help your student understand the price of following Christ and will call him or her to sincere prayers for the persecuted church.
This book can be purchased from most second-hand online bookstores (for example, Thriftbooks, or AbeBooks). New copies can be found on Amazon.
