The Persecuted Church

Jeremiah 20:11 But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.

Psalm 9:13 John 15:18 & 20 Romans 8:35

PRAYER:
Sovereign God, we worship You and we acknowledge that You know all of those who suffer in Your name. We remember those who are imprisoned for their faith and ask that they would join with the Apostle Paul to see that even though they remain captive, their chains have furthered the gospel, not frustrated it. May they inspire and embolden their fellow believers to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

God of all comfort, for those who are tortured both in body and mind, give them the grace to endure and to see their suffering as part of following in Christ’s footsteps. Merciful God, for those asked to pay the ultimate price; may they truly know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.

Father God, for those who are widowed and orphaned may they know the comfort that comes from Your promised presence even when they walk through the valley. May they be strengthened by Your Spirit, enabling them to rejoice with the psalmist as they proclaim that the Lord will not abandon them in death.

Heavenly Father, we ask that You make us ever mindful of our brothers and sisters around the world who need us to stand with them as they suffer in Your name. Teach us what it means to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony; we pray that we would not love our lives so much as to shrink from death.

O Lord hear our prayer. Lord have mercy on our brothers and sisters in Christ, may we be aware of the situation they are facing and to never forget them in prayer, or in any other way we can be of help to them. May You send them angels from heaven to comfort them and assure them of Your constant care and love!!

*And now, Lord, in my own life and faith, help me to endure persecution with faith and grace. Help my soft answers to turn away wrath. Help me to be strong and of good courage. Help me to bless and pray for my persecutors and for those I know who are undergoing persecution. Let me not shrink away in fear, but let me face my persecutors with gentleness, courage, and even love. In the Name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen