Pray For Persecuted Believers Believers in Jesus Christ are still being persecuted for their faith today. The Bible clearly tells us not to ignore them.
HEBREWS 13:3 NRSV
3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.Certainly, this requires us to pray for them -- and to do more when we can.
Paul, the apostle, is an example of a godly believer being imprisoned. Don't think it only happened in the past -- experts say more believers are being imprisoned and killed today than ever before.
COLOSSIANS 4:3-4 NRSV
3 At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison,
4 so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.Just as Paul did not ask first for his release from prison, but for the ability to proclaim the message of Christ clearly, so we should not just automatically pray for the immediate release of prisoners for Christ.
Pray for their:
The purpose of persecution is to steal the Word of God from the believers' heart. So pray also that those being persecuted for their faith in Christ will remain strong in faith.
MARK 4:17 NKJ
17 "and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.2 TIMOTHY 3:12 NIV
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,Be careful not to condemn or criticize those persecuted. Even if they have done wrong, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses them from all sin if they are believers. And often, they are guilty of nothing more than faith in Christ.
MATTHEW 5:10-12 NKJ
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.Learn More
MATTHEW 25:37-40 NKJ
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, `Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 `When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 `Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
40 "And the King will answer and say to them, `Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
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