Resources To Help You Pray For the Persecuted Church
Right now the news is rolling in about the Christians who are facing persecution and death in Afghanistan. Many are wondering how to pray for the persecuted church.
Most of us are aware that we can’t do much to help with the physical needs that our brothers and sisters in Christ are currently facing. However, we do know that there is one thing every Christian can do.
We can pray for the persecuted church.
If you are anything like me, you want to pray for the persecuted Christians. Often we don’t know how or what to pray for! We set out to pray together as a family and I find myself at a loss for words. I don’t know what to say or even what they are facing so how can I effectively and specifically pray for the persecuted church around the world?
These questions led our family on a hunt for resources to help us know more. Be sure to read about the resources we have found. Our hope is that these resources will help guide you to become prayer warriors for persecuted Christians around the globe!
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Top Resources To Help You Pray For the Persecuted Church
While we know that we can pray at all times and that the Spirit intercedes for us, sometimes it helps prayer warriors to have some tools to help jump start their prayer life. Try these resources as you continue to grow in prayer ministry for the persecuted church.
Your Bible
Now I know this should sound obvious but sometimes we overlook the best resource we have as praying Christians. Our Bible!
Turn the Scriptures into prayers. This is beneficial to help you know not only know what to pray for the persecuted church but also ensures that we keep praying Biblically grounded requests.
As you read and study your Bible, look for verses that the Holy Spirit would nudge you to pray for those who are receiving persecution. Not only does this give your Bible study more meaning, it helps you read the Bible while focusing on others not just yourself.
Your Church’s Missionaries
Ask your pastor or a church elder if your church financially supports some missionaries. If they do, ask to see if you can join a mailing list from these missionaries. Often missionaries send out weekly or monthly updates where they list specific prayer needs. In some cases, they are facing direct persecution and need quick prayer action. Other times, they need more general prayer to do the basic work that God has called them to do.
Make sure to partner with Christian missionaries through your local church and stand with them in prayer often, especially as they face persecution and major frustrations and set backs on the mission field.
Operation World
My family and I love this resource book. We keep in on our shelf and once a week we set aside a day to pray for the persecuted church in one specific country. Before praying for them, we turn to the section about that country and learn what challenges they face, what the demographics are that the local church is made up of, and take in the prayer suggestions listed.
Not only does Operation World help us pray more specifically, it also helps us to know more about the various countries around the world. This has blessed us many times over as we grow in our knowledge of where other Christians live around the world and what they face in terms of differing types of persecution.
Keep a copy of Operation World and a world map on hand as you pray for Christians who are facing trials for staying faithful to Jesus.
Voice Of The Martyrs
When you want to know what Christians are facing around the world, you should check out Voice of the Martyrs. This organization was founded by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand. (You should definitely learn more about these dear faithful Christians!)
Voice of the Martyrs offers many resources for Christians to help the persecuted church. One of their best resources however is to give consistent updates on specific ways you can pray for Christians around the world. Be sure to bookmark the Voice of the Martyr’s Prayer Guide. It can be a wonderful resource to help you keep praying faithfully for the persecuted church.
Open Doors
Open Doors is an organization started by Brother Andrew (another Christian you should definitely learn more about!) Check out their website to find resources that bring relief to persecuted Christians. Also, they provide helpful resources to guide you in how to pray for persecuted Christians.
One great resource they offer is a prayer app. This regularly updated app gives you specific stories and prayer requests from persecuted Christians around the world. Add the app to your phone and take time each day to pray for persecuted Christians. What is even more cool is the app allows you to share these prayer requests on social media or in an email. If you want, you can not only pray for persecuted Christians but help others remember to pray for them too!
Final Thoughts
Life can get busy. We have our best intentions to pray for persecuted Christians but time often slips away. Or our minds wonder off because we just don’t have something specific to pray about.
Our Christian brothers and sisters around the globe face persecution. We should remember to keep praying for them always! Do the practical footwork of looking for the prayer resources that will work for your family to help you pray powerful, Biblical, specific prayers for our Christian brethren.
Your Turn
What is your biggest obstacle to praying for the persecuted church around the world?
Have you tried any of these resources listed in today’s post?
What are some Bible verses that you have prayed over the persecuted church? Please be sure to share them in the comments below!
Thanks for stopping by!
