Pray for the Persecuted Church

As we sit on our couches in cool, air-conditioned homes eating bon-bons and watching television, there are many Christians around the world who suffer horrible persecution in the name of Christ.  Have we left our fellow believers along and without help while we enjoy all the comforts of free living?

Right now 200 million people face persecution for believing in Jesus and 60% of those people are children, according to Christians in Crisis International Ministry, a prayer advocacy ministry for persecuted believers.

1 Timothy 2:1 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.”

Ephesians 6:18 “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”

Hebrews 13:3  “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as - being yourselves also in the body.”

We have been given a royal decree directly from the throne room to get off our lazy-boys and onto our knees.  These men and women have given there very lives for the sake of the gospel, could we not give our measly 30 minutes to interceding for them in prayer?

Although we may seem to make no impact, do not give up hope.  You do.  Remember to claim the promises of prayer from Scripture.

J. Oswald Sanders said: "[Prayer] is fundamental, not supplementary… All progress can be clearly traced back to prevailing prayer."

Although you may not reap the rewards of your prevailing prayer on this side of heaven, when we reach that glory land and meet with those who have suffered bodily persecution in the name of Jesus, we will get to hear their stories and be blessed to know that we have helped to make a difference in their lives.

I feel like when praying for a whole lot of people, my temptation is to become really “general” with my prayer requests, like, “Lord Jesus, please bless those who are persecuted today.”  Although I believe God still hears that prayer, I encourage you to pray boldly and specifically according to Scripture. 

Pray for those who are persecuted by country.  (Voice of the Martyrs has some information about each country that might aid you in praying by country.)  You can also pray for those who are persecuted by name.  Icommittopray.com shares the stories of men and women who need our prayers.  It also features the prayers of others around the world so that you can agree with them in prayer and also learn from their prayers.  It is a great resource.  Open Doors has a monthly prayer calendar with a prayer request for each day:  https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/

You can make a difference.  You have been invited to participate in the kingdom’s work.  Let us join in praying for the persecuted church and their captors.  Let us pray for them in the name of Jesus.  May the name of Jesus be proclaimed to the ends of the earth!