According to most estimates, “more than 365 million Christians worldwide suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.” That means 1 in 7 believers around the globe live under constant threat simply because they confess and believe that Jesus is the risen Lord. While persecution has been a reality for the Church since its birth, it has been on the rise for at least the last three decades. To honor and support our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world and to help bear them up as they face untold trials and hardships, Christians will join together to pray on the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Nov. 3).
Though we may be many thousands of miles removed from most of these Christians and have limited access to aid them directly or tangibly, prayer is the one thing we can always do. And it’s the only thing we can do from halfway around the world that can open prison doors, unfasten shackles, and draw to repentance those who are persecuting our brothers and sisters (Acts 16:25–30)—because God hears us when we pray to him. And as the apostle John wrote, “If we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from him” (1 John 5:15, NASB).
Five ways to pray for the persecuted church
On Nov. 3, Southern Baptist churches around the world will “unite in prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters” in the faith. Consider joining with us as we pray in the following ways.
- Ask God to comfort and strengthen persecuted believers who “are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8–9).
- Pray for the Church to be confident in Christ’s ultimate victory on the cross, remembering John 16:33: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
- Pray that God will give persecuted believers the perspective and grace to “count it all joy” and trust “that the testing of [their] faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2–3).
- Pray for believers around the world who endure persecution to continue speaking God’s Word “with all boldness” (Acts 4:29). Ask God to use their witness to draw many people to Himself.
- Pray that God will give marginalized and mistreated believers relief from their sufferings, granting “release to the captives” and “set[ting] free those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).
For those of us with the freedom to worship Christ as we please, praying for marginalized Christians is a privilege, a responsibility, and a joy. And when we do, “God glorifies Himself through their steadfast faith and our persistent intercession. He uses their witness to reveal the surpassing power of Christ and transform lives through His gospel.”
Continue steadfastly in prayer for the persecuted church
For millions of Christians around the world, following Christ is a dangerous undertaking. They risk being mistreated, marginalized, discriminated against, or imperiled simply for placing their faith in him. But they’re willing to endure whatever persecutions come their way “because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ” (Phil. 3:8).
“When we pray for persecuted believers,” God uses our prayers to strengthen them, he “uses their witness to inspire gospel transformation among the lost,” and he even uses our prayers to shape us into the likeness of his Son.
So, may we not grow weary of praying for these dear brothers and sisters. May we not forget them or grow calloused to their plight. May we not offer half-hearted “thoughts and prayers” but “contend for [them]” from our knees (Col. 2:1). “As [their] persecution persists,” may our prayers persist. And by God’s grace, may those prayers empower them not only to endure but to prevail over the mortal ills that threaten them.
To receive more resources about the persecuted church, visit IMB’s site.
