Pray for the Persecuted

Ken

Easy to say, when it’s not your body that was beaten. Or, when you are not bound up as a prisoner for Christ. Relieve, support, and give; but, by all means pray, like prayer is more effective than anything we can possibly do. “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:3 KJV). Prayer is not like a consolation prize we get for participating in a game. It is more effective than money, because Christ mingles His “intercession for them” (7:25) with all our prayers to accomplish all the good possible for the Kingdom of God. Allow the emotion of what comes over us for the suffering we see in our brothers and sisters to cause us to pray. LORD, we know You are watching over Your children, especially those being persecuted. Preserve them. Grant them courage. Bless them with confidence in You. Even give them joy for knowing they have been accounted worthy to suffer shame for Your name. Allow persecution to remind us, we do not simply wrestle with flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in high places. Return quickly, Lord Jesus, and deliver all Your children. In Jesus’ name, amen.