“10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.”
John 15:18-20 “18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. 20 Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.”
Reflecting on words of Jesus in Mathew 5 stated above, is a call for endurance just like Jesus did in his days on earth. In the Acts of the Apostles, we can see similar persecutions from the Jewish leaders and the Roman Empire who stood to oppose the teaching of the gospel. These verses are comforting to know that the current suffering is not the end. If the world hated Jesus who physically performed tremendous miracles, then we can only imagine what happens to us in our limitation.
Historically, missionaries have played a tremendous rule in spreading the gospel. Many have paid heavy prices such as death, sickness, and persecution and loss of property. From reading the testimonies of these missionaries, one can observe that they did not regret tragedies, because God has been gloried in their obedience. According to Open Doors website, over 340 million Christians internationally encounter extreme prejudice and persecution due to their faith in Christ (https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/2025). Recently in the news, Christians were batched in Northern Nigeria. The good news is that despite these persecutions, Christians have been standing strong. We can come along side and support them in the place of prayer.
Despite the persecutions, the goal of spreading the gospel can only be achieved by believers answering the call for missions and going out to share just like in the days of the Apostles. People will not hear the gospel if someone does not physically go to them and preach to them. Romans 10:14-15 “14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Prayer Points
Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers into the harvest field. Pray that many will answer the missionary call: Mathew 9: 36-38 “36When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
The church was in the season of fasting/prayer and worship when the Lord spoke about the appointed mission for Barnabas and Paul. Pray that the church will engage in such structured spiritual activity, during which they can hear the voice of God: Acts 13:2-3 “2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
Pray for the grace for the persecuted church to stand firm and hold onto firm in the midst of trial: 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 “3 so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this. 4 Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.” .” Acts 14:22 “strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.”
Pray that God will strengthen the persecuted church during their season of suffering and pain: Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life
Pray for the grace of steadfastness and resilience during persecution as the persecuted church continues to draw strength from Christ's own suffering and endurance: 1 Corinthians 4: “12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.”
Although persecution is expected for every believer in Christ, it’s unfortunate that some go through many forms than others. Pray for God’s divine intervention and protection upon the persecuted believers around the world: 2 Timothy 3:11-12 “11my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
Pray that despite persecution, they will continue to preach the gospel with boldness and not be intimated: Ephesians 6:19-20 “19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
Pray for the grace to love and forgive those who persecute them just like Jesus did on the cross: Luke 6:27-28 “27 But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 23:34 “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.”
In the book of Acts, when persecution rose up, the church was scattered in different directions. God used this opportunity to spread the gospel. Pray that even in the middle of the persecution we hear around the world today, the power of the gospel will not be hindered in any form, but will continue to penetrate nations and bring deliverance to those held captive: Acts 8: “4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.”
Pray that God will raise godly leaders and provide them with wisdom, discernment, and understanding to establish laws that protect the Gospel and the church: Psalm 2:10-11 “ 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.” Proverbs 8” 15 By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; 16 By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.”
The nations or people who are engaged in persecuting the church are being used by satan because of their blindness and lack of understanding of spiritual things. Pray that the Holy Spirit will penetrate these nations and convict their hearts to see the need of the gospel: 1 Corinthains 2:14 “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Pray for the physical, financial, and spiritual needs of the missionaries and persecuted church: Psalm 145:15-16 “ 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”