‘Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.’
Matthew 16:18 (NLT)
In our key bible reference today, we see the first time Jesus refers to the Church, using the Greek word Ecclesia, a Spirit-formed, called-out people. Christ’s intention for the Church was never withdrawal, but engagement: a people empowered to influence culture and society.
At Pentecost, the Church became a Spirit-filled community, endowed not only with spiritual gifts, such as tongues, healing, wisdom, and deliverance, but also commissioned as a governmental body advancing the Kingdom of God on earth.
‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.’ Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
This Kingdom mandate mirrors the idea of occupation. In Jesus’ day, Roman occupation sought to reshape territories by embedding Roman customs and values. In contrast, Christ calls His Church to occupy with the Gospel, transforming lives so that people adopt the ways and culture of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said: ‘Occupy till I come.’ Luke 19:13 (NKJV).
Persecution Is an Expected Reality
As the Gospel spreads and territories are influenced, resistance and persecution increase. In many parts of the world today, Christians face hostility, discrimination, imprisonment, and even death for their faith.
Modern persecution takes both overt and covert forms – legal, social, economic, and violent. According to global monitoring bodies such as the Open Doors World Watch List, between 360–380 million Christians currently live under high levels of persecution or discrimination.
Scripture makes clear that persecution is not an anomaly, but a reality of the Christian journey.
▪ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. – Matthew 5:10 (NKJV)
▪ “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”. – 2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV)
The Good News
Persecution has never destroyed the Church. Instead, it has often made the Church stronger, purer, and bolder. As Christians watch and pray, they overcome.
‘In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.’John 16:33b (NKJV)
Some Global Statistics to understand the magnitude of persecution.
Recent global reports tell us the main types of persecution facing Christians in 2026:
1. Violence & Killings
This includes physical attacks, massacres, and murders of Christians because of their faith. A typical example is the armed groups killing Christian civilians in church settings. For instance, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kasanga and Komanda attacks), where dozens were killed inside or around churches. (Wikipedia)
Another example is the individual Christians murdered in Western countries due to extremist hostility (e.g., the stabbing death of a livestreaming Christian in Lyon, France). (Wikipedia)
2. Imprisonment & Detention
Christians are detained without fair trial, jailed for practising or promoting the faith.
All over the world, thousands of Christians have been detained for reasons related to their faith, including significant numbers in India under anti-conversion or public order laws (Open Doors UK & Ireland). There are reports of Chinese authorities detaining leaders and members of unregistered “house churches” under strict religious controls. (Wall Street Journal)
3. Church Closures & Legislative Restrictions
There are many accounts of extremist governments shutting down churches or forcing them to register, limiting worship. For example, in Algeria, authorities have closed nearly all Protestant churches, pushing believers into hiding. (Open Doors UK & Ireland)
Across China, house churches face intense pressure to register or be shut down under state surveillance policies. (Open Doors US)
4. Displacement & Forced Migration
Christians have been driven from homes by conflicts, extremism, or intimidation, and as a result are unable to live safely in their communities. There are conflicts in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, like Sudan and Nigeria, which has led to the displacement of Christian families, with large numbers fleeing to camps. (Open Doors UK & Ireland)
Christians in war-torn Yemen face closed house churches and unsafe conditions that force them into hiding or escape. (Open Doors US)
5. Discrimination & Social Hostility
Unequal treatment has been seen in the society, especially in corporate life, business etc. There has been reports of harassment, job exclusion, intimidation and hostile mobs. Christians in parts of India for example, face mob violence, arrests, and discrimination tied to religious nationalism. (Christianity Today)
In some Europe and Latin American contexts, Catholics and other Christians experience rising attacks or vandalism. (catholicnewsagency.com)
6. Extremist Laws & State Control
In some parts of the world, there are government policies or extremist ideologies that punish conversion, restrict religious expression, or elevate one religion over others. We see for example, radical Islam driven persecution, or in North Korea, Christianity is illegal and believers risk forced labour camp sentences or worse for being caught with a Bible. (Asia News)
In Afghanistan, conversion from Islam to Christianity can carry a death sentence under Taliban rule. (Asia News)
7. Kidnapping & Targeted Crime
This involves abduction and ransom or violent targeting, often for leverage or terror.
E.g., Large-scale kidnapping of hundreds of students and teachers from a Catholic school in Nigeria’s Papiri incident. Though all involved were later released, this is one of many incidents in the region. (Wikipedia)
Why we must pray:
▪ Prayer brings deliverance: The prayers of the Church led to Peter’s miraculous release from prison (Acts 12:1–5).
▪ Prayer strengthens the persecuted: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
▪ Prayer advances the Gospel: Even while imprisoned, Paul asked for prayer, not for escape, but for boldness to proclaim Christ. (Colossians 4:2–4).
Prayer Points:
1. Repentance within the church: That we repent of indifference and inward focus, recognising that when one part of the Body suffers, all suffer.
2. Christians in hostile territories or the imprisoned: We pray for strength, courage, comfort, health and endurance to withstand tumultuous life experiences.
3. Those unjustly imprisoned: For righteous judgment and release according to God’s will.
4. Those called to remain imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel:
▪ That they remain steadfast, hopeful, and bold, abounding in the work of the Lord(1 Corinthians 15:58)
▪ Continued Boldness to faithfully preach the gospel while imprisoned when the opportunity arises.
5. Families of the imprisoned, kidnapped, or martyred: For hope, comfort, and the enveloping love of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:9; Romans 8:35).
6. Christian humanitarians or advocacy groups on the front lines: Protection of key voices, guidance, courage to speak the truth. Pray for safety, supernatural provision and financial support to continue the work. (Philippians 4:6. Psalm 32:8)
7. Persecuted Christians in the Marketplace:
▪ Pray for the peace of God and the peace from God. For supernatural wisdom and boldness to operate boldly like Daniel did in the corridors of corporate and political power. (Colossians 3:15)
▪ An awakening of a new generation of marketplace and governmental apostles with mantles of Daniel, Joseph and Esther, to effect change through policy and strategy.
8. Our Children facing persecution in schools: That they stand above reproach as lights in the world, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. (Ephesians 2: 15)
9. Pastors and Leaders of underground or persecuted churches:
▪ Strength, courage, protection and encouragement; good mental, emotional and physical health to withstand the challenges they will face continuously.
▪ For strength, protection, sound mental and physical health, and divine partnerships—like those with the spirit of Obadiah. (1 Kings 18:13)
10. The Unpersecuted and free church: To prioritise intercession for the persecuted and raise intercessors who pray without ceasing and who take it ‘by force.’ (Matthew 11:12)
11. Captors, Persecutors:
▪ That God grants them repentance, revelation, and salvation. We bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14; 2 Peter 3:9)
▪ That Imams, Islamic clerics and other non-Christian religious leaders areconverted to hold fivefold ministry offices (evangelists, prophets, teachers etc.).
▪ That God replaces their heart of stone gives them a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 26:36. 2 Peter 3:9)
▪ We pray blessings for them, and we curse not. (Romans 12:14, KJV)
Martyrdom
In conclusion, though rarely discussed, martyrdom is the ultimate witness and remains part of the Christian calling. Every believer must be prepared to stand firm, even unto death ‘And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death’. (Revelations 12:11, KJV)
As the hymn reminds us– we all need to ‘Stand up Stand Up for Jesus…
