As we observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, Sunday, November 3rd, we invite you to join us in prayer and reflection for our brothers and sisters facing persecution around the world. Their stories inspire us and remind us of the importance of faith in the face of unimaginable challenges.
Consider the story of a courageous woman who experienced severe persecution for her faith. Six months after being baptized in the Jordan River, her family discovered that she had left Islam to follow Christ. In response, they kidnapped her one-and-a-half-year-old son and sent him to live with his grandfather, believing that as a Christian, she was unfit to raise her Muslim child.
When her family realized she would not renounce Jesus, her father took her to Turkey, where they owned a textile factory. For fifty-two days, they locked her in a room, subjecting her to physical abuse, burning her skin with cigarette stubs, and withholding food.
This dear sister in Christ was eventually freed and now has an extensive ministry among Muslims and Muslim converts. This year, she attended a 4G3 Discipleship Institute to deepen her biblical knowledge and gain practical tools for her ministry.
As you pray for the persecuted, consider the resilience and bravery of those who continue to stand firm in their faith despite facing severe trials. Your support helps us equip and empower individuals like her to spread the love of Christ in their communities.
Here are the points follow the Lord's Prayer.
OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN
Our Father in Heaven, we thank You that through our faith in Jesus Christ we can call You, “Father”! We humble ourselves before You and magnify Your name! We join together as Your children to pray for the Body of Christ all over the world today, especially for those who are persecuted and oppressed. We declare that we are one in Christ!
HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME
May Your Name – Jesus – be a place of refuge and strength for Your people. We acknowledge the omnipotence and supremacy of Your Name in all circumstances. Help us to trust You so that Your Name will be glorified in all the earth. May the persecuted Church experience Your goodness, grace, love, protection and the eternal hope we have in You daily!
LET YOUR KINGDOM COME
Lord Jesus Christ, we pray Your Kingdom will advance in every place where persecution has occurred and the blood of Your followers has been shed. We pray the sacrifice of Your children and their willingness to forgive will break the strongholds of terrorism, extremism, racism and idolatry. Your Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and we acknowledge You as our King. Build Your Church, Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit in the midst of evil, violence, helplessness and hopelessness.
LET YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
Lord Jesus, we trust that You are in control and aware of everything happening to Your Church, even when we do not understand why it is happening. We cling to Your promise to be with us until the end; to strengthen us, equip us and comfort us. We pray Your prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying: “Father, let Your will be done and not ours.” Father, let this suffering bring great Glory to You and accomplish the purpose for which You have allowed it. We humble ourselves and submit to Your ways as Your Church. Help us to be obedient to Your will in all circumstances. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit to accomplish Your will.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
Father we come before You as our Provider and pray for the daily needs of our persecuted brothers and sisters. We pray for clothing, food and shelter. We pray for their medical needs; for healing of body, soul and spirit; and that You would comfort, counsel and care for them. Restore their dignity, remove their shame, deliver them from fear and anxiety. Provide for employment and protection against exploitation.
AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS
Lord Jesus, help us to forgive those who have committed merciless, dreadful and shocking acts of terrorism, murder, rape, exploitation, extortion and gross sin against our brothers and sisters. You showed how to pray on the cross saying: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Help us not to have bitterness and hatred in our hearts or to want to take revenge against our enemies. We pray You will enable us through the power of the Holy Spirit to fight evil with good and to find ways we can share the Gospel with our persecutors. Help Your children to endure hardship, persecution and oppression to the glory of Your Name.
AND DO NOT LEAD US INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE
Father God, we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, help us resist the evil one who is busy deceiving the whole world. Deliver the Church from the fear of death and empower us with Your Spirit to boldly preach the Gospel, even where it is forbidden to do so. Cleanse and purify the Church from all strongholds of the enemy. Sanctify and consecrate us to belong to You alone. Empower us with spiritual weapons to destroy all ideological strongholds in the minds of others that hinder them from seeing the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit give us Your words when we are arrested and brought to trial, so that through the blood of Jesus we may overcome Satan and all his power. Help us to endure hostility, to persevere in doing good, and above all, to love our enemies.
FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we bow before You and acknowledge Your goodness, mercy, faithfulness and love towards us. We love You and honor You as our God. To You belongs all glory, honor, power and praise, forever.
AMEN
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