The following are some of the vital prayer needs of today's persecuted Christians, taken from various biblical passages.
From the Book of Psalms
Please pray:
- They will know that the Heavenly Father defends the oppressed and the fatherless (Psalm 10:17-18).
- They will rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd walks with them through this difficult time (Psalm 23).
- God will protect the children who are left without their mothers' care, and that the mothers will have the joy of knowing that the Lord is caring for them in their absence (Psalm 68:5).
- Bereaved families will know that God is the defender of widows and a Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5).
- God will either judge or bring to repentance those who afflict His people (Psalm 83)
- For the provision of Bibles and other Christian literature to reach the most remote and needy areas where they are in the shortest supply. (Psalm 119:42-43).
- God would bring verses of Scripture to mind that will comfort them (Psalm 119:49-56).
- God will bring about justice in an unjust world (Psalm 140).
From the Gospel of Matthew
Please pray:
- They will be enabled to rejoice in the fact that theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10).
- Their passion for Christ will be the light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).
- They will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).
- They will rely on the Lord to give them the words to say when they stand before accusing authorities (Matthew 10:19).
From the Book of Acts
Please pray:
- Increased persecution will result in increased boldness among the believers (Acts 4:29-31).
- Believers will echo Peter's sentiment and determine to obey God regardless of what man says (Acts 5:29).
- Those who oppress Christians may experience repentance and salvation, just as Paul did. (Acts 9:1-19).
- Everything they have and even their very lives will mean nothing in comparison with the joy of knowing Christ and sharing Him with others (Acts 20:24).
From the Book of Romans
Please pray:
- They will never be ashamed of the gospel because God’s power brings salvation through it (Romans 1:16).
- As they suffer, they will find peace in the fact that as they have suffered with Christ so they will be glorified with Him, being fellow heirs with him (Romans 8:15-17).
- The persecutors will know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of the Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).
- God would give them the patience to entrust true justice into the hands of God (Romans 12:17-21).
From the Book of 1 Corinthians
Please pray:
- That God will strengthen young believers to follow in the example that has been passed down to them by their leaders
(1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16). - That those who lose loved ones will find comfort in the fact that Christ is victorious over death, and their dead in Christ will be raised with Him. Pray that, in view of this promise, they will continue to give themselves fully to the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).
From the Book of 2 Corinthians
Please pray:
- As sufferings overflow, their comfort in Christ will be more than enough for them (2 Corinthians 1:5).
- They will rely on the Lord's strength and not on their own
(2 Corinthians 1:8-9). - Those who suffer tremendous physical pain and trials will be strengthened and delivered by the Lord (2 Corinthians 1:9-11).
- God would be glorified as they steadfastly fix their eyes on what is eternal (2 Corinthians 4).
From the Book of Ephesians
Please pray:
- That those who falsely accuse believers of forcible conversion will see that the message we bring is one of a free gift, not coercion, and respond in faith to Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- That the Lord would make them strong to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20).
From the Book of Philippians
Please pray:
- Like Paul, their imprisonment will result in the advancement of God's kingdom (Philippians 1:12-14).
- The Lord will be exalted, whether in life or in death
(Philippians 1:20). - They will abandon all glory for themselves in order to come into a deeper relationship with Christ as they embrace the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:7-10).
- God will fill the believers' hearts with peace beyond comprehension as they bring their needs to the Lord and rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:4-7).
From the Book of Colossians
Please pray:
- God will open doors of opportunity for those in prison for their faith to clearly share the gospel for which they suffer
(Colossians 4:2-3).
From the Book of 1 Thessalonians
Please pray:
- Those who lose loved ones will be filled with the joy that comes from knowing that they will see them again at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).
From the Book of 2 Timothy
Please pray:
- They will confidently entrust themselves to Christ so that they can preach the gospel without hesitation (2 Timothy 1:7-12).
- God will enable Christian parents to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Christ so that their children will be encouraged walk closely with the Lord as they grow up (Deuteronomy 11:18-20,
2 Timothy 1:5). - They will trust God to enable them to proclaim the Gospel even while suffering. (2 Timothy 4:16-18).
From the Book of Hebrews
Please pray:
- The believers will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25).
- They will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart. (Hebrews 10:32-39; Hebrews 12:1-3).
- They will know that, in the face of their property loss, they have "better and lasting possessions" (Hebrews 10:36, 37) that God keep you faithful to walk beside them in love, prayer and encouragement (Hebrews 13:3).
From the Book of James
Please pray:
- They will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).
From the Book of 1 Peter
Please pray:
- They will take comfort in the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good (1 Peter 2:20-21).
- They would follow Christ's example and entrust themselves to the One who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).
- They will set Christ apart as Lord without giving in to fear, always prepared to share Christ while living a holy life (1 Peter 3:14-17).
- Christians will rejoice in their afflictions knowing that they share in the sufferings of Christ, that He will be glorified and that theirs is the kingdom of heaven (1 Peter 4:12-13).
- The spiritual leaders will remain faithful to the task God’s given them, knowing that they will receive the crown of life (I Peter 5:1-4).
- They will maintain the attitude of Christ, entrusting themselves to God Who judges perfectly (I Peter 5:1-4).
- They will remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10).
From the Book of Revelation
Please pray:
- They will not be fearful but trust God. (Revelation 2:10).
