How to Pray for the Persecuted Church

In this month’s Ministry Update, we met Naima (name changed) and heard her incredible story of sharing the Gospel despite tremendous persecution. Naima is not alone. According to Open Doors, over 360 million Christians around the world suffer “high levels” of persecution, and an estimated 5,621 believers were killed for faith-related reasons last year alone. 

It is essential that we remember our persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer on an ongoing basis. For this month’s Prayer Focus, we highlight 5 ways to pray for the persecuted Church, not just this month, but beyond as the Holy Spirit leads. 

1. Pray for ENCOURAGEMENT. 

For most of us, especially those living in Western or predominantly “Christian” nations, it’s difficult for us to even fathom the weightiness and emotional toll of daily persecution. Intense pressure, threats, ostracization, imprisonment, violence, and other forms of persecution can come from family members, friends, co-workers, communities, and governments. It is easy for our brothers and sisters to grow weary and discouraged.  

Pray for them to be encouraged to remain steadfast, experiencing the joy of the Lord despite hardship. Verses to consider: Matthew 5:10-12, Romans 8:35-37 

2. Pray for BOLDNESS. 

When believers face the very real possibility of losing their family, job, freedom, or even their life for the Gospel, the enemy wants to use fear to paralyze and silence God’s children. Naima shared her story with us of her father locking her in her room for days on end without food or water. She spoke of the fear she felt as he put a gun to her head and said he would kill her if she didn’t renounce Jesus. Yet the Holy Spirit gave her boldness, and she never wavered! Even though her life was miraculously spared, Naima was ready to give her life for the Gospel. 

Pray for those facing persecution to have this kind of boldness, no matter what the cost may be. Verses to consider: 1 Peter 3:14-16, Rev 3:11 

3. Pray for WISDOM. 

When speaking about persecution, the Bible reminds us to be as “wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) This means that even in Spirit-led boldness, all believers must be wise and discerning in the way we conduct ourselves and bring the Gospel into dark places. This is easier said than done! 

Pray that those living and sharing their faith in difficult places will have wisdom in every context, conversation, and decision. Additional verses to consider: Colossians 4:5-6, Ephesians 5:15-16 

As the Body of Christ, we must stay faithful in praying for our brothers and sisters facing persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

4. Pray for PROTECTION. 

Like Naima, many believers in persecuted or underground Church settings report being miraculously delivered from violence and death, often at the very moment they later find out others were praying for them! Because of the righteousness of Christ, our prayers have great power (James 5:16), so let us approach the throne with confidence on behalf of our brothers and sisters! While God does not promise that He will always deliver us out of harm’s way, He does promise to turn His ear to our prayers (1 Peter 3:12), and to answer within His perfect plan. 

Pray for protection and deliverance from harm for those in danger for the sake of the Gospel. Additional verses to consider: Psalm 5:11, Isaiah 54:17

5. Pray for the PERSECUTORS. 

As we pray for those experiencing persecution, we must also remember to pray for those inflicting it. We must remember that they are in the grip of the evil one, and we can storm those gates through prayer! We have the greatest example of this in Jesus, who even as He was dying on the cross, prayed for those persecuting Him (Luke 23:34). 

Pray for those who persecute believers in Christ, that they may come to saving knowledge of the Gospel. Additional verses to consider: Matthew 5:43-45, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

In closing, may we all remember that trials and persecution should come as no surprise to any of us, because Jesus assured us that this would be the case. In fact, He told us the world will hate us because of Him (Matthew 10:22). But He offers us great encouragement in this: 

“In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33