In a world that crucified the Son of Man and to this day rejects his name, we as believers in Jesus Christ will also face rejection, hatred and persecution from the world to some degree.
Why is the church of Jesus persecuted?
In the gospel of John chapter 15, verses 18-25, Jesus spoke to the disciples saying,
““If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’”
Once Jesus, the Word of God and Saviour of the world came to earth, His presence alone confronted sin and death. Being the ‘light of the world’ (John 8:12) he exposed what was once hidden in darkness, which was the sin & iniquity of men. So out of the pride in their hearts, his very own people, the Israelites crucified Him instead of humbling themselves, repenting of their sins, turning & believing in him.
So, as believers, born again, made in his likeness, as the ‘salt and light of the earth’, how much more will we face persecution than our own Master?
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” 1 Peter 4:12-14 (NIV),
Today we are praying for the persecuted church.
Reported in 2022, according to ‘Open Doors‘ (an advocacy group that serves the persecuted) at least 360 million Christians experienced “high levels of persecution and discrimination”. A figure which increased by 20 million since 2021.
They have recorded that as many as 4,761 Christians were killed because of their faith in 2021. The number rose in 2022 up to 5,898 deaths.
They released the ‘World Watch List 2022’, listing 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution (see www.opendoors.org)
Right now, around the world, there are Christians being attacked, falsely accused, imprisoned, robbed of their possessions, comfort and dignity, killed, forced into conversion and harassed because they profess the name of Jesus. And though we may face persecution of our own, (as 2 Timothy 3:12 says, we all will), let us pray for our brothers and sisters who are facing extremely bad treatment because of their faith.
Prayer:
Father, in Jesus’ name we pray for your provision, protection and guidance over our brothers and sisters who are being treated wrongly. We thank you because in Matthew 5 you promised that blessed are the persecuted, for there is the kingdom of heaven: that great is their reward in heaven.
By your Spirit that dwells within them, empower them to endure through all persecution. Remind them to focus their eyes upon the joy set before them like Jesus did, so they would not give in when facing opposition.
We pray that the fruit of longsuffering would become manifest through them and be proof of who’s children they are. And that their testimonies and victories would be so powerful that they would be able to sow seed even in a drought, to cause new life to spring forth and many souls to be saved.
Though their enemies would try to steal their peace, we thank you Father, because what you have given them no man can take again. So may that peace that surpasses all understanding rest upon them through all trials and tribulations. May their hearts forever be filled with your love and we pray that every day they will continue to take upon them the yoke that is easy and the burden that is light,
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer points:
Galatians 4:29-31, those who are not born of the Spirit of God will always persecute those who are, just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac.
Galatians 4:6-7, Pray that those persecuted would be encouraged that their persecution is a sign that they are sons of God, and therefore have an inheritance in heaven.
Psalm 103:13 & 17, God’s compassion and love is with those who fear Him. Pray that His children will fear no one or thing more than the Lord God Almighty for “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” (Proverbs 1:7).
James 1:5, Pray that those who need wisdom in difficult situation and times of distress would ask it of God and receive it.
Proverbs 8:35, in finding wisdom may they also receive the favor of God.
Romans 8:17-18, Matthew 5:11-12, Pray that the Spirit of jubilation would heal any anguish that the persecuted may be feeling, as their current suffering is NOT WORTH comparing to the glory that will be revealed in them and their reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:44-45, Let’s pray for those who persecute our brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for God to transform their hearts, that they would be delivered also from the world and adopted into God’s chosen people.
- there are 52 countries where the Bible is dangerous to obtain, highly restricted or strictly illegal (according to www.persecution.com)
Pray that those who cannot access the scriptures would be able to do so through the sacrificial & high-risk work done by Christian organizations to smuggle and deliver the Bible to those that cannot get it otherwise.
Revelation 12:11 AMP, Pray that no matter what persecution or opposition we as believers face, that we would not renounce our faith but prevail in testifying of our God.