Praying for Persecuted Christians

Is it possible that a government would show favoritism to those who abandon God? Would a government of man destroy places of worship to God? Would one of us, a human being, flatter and praise godly people who forsake godly living? Would there be anyone to resist such corruption? Could deceivers infiltrate the godly and betray their trust? Could godly people die martyrs’ deaths?

Yes, there, will always be agents of the evil one in high places and with much power who seek to destroy God’s people.

The Lord gave Daniel a prophecy about Antiochus IV Epiphanes long before he rose to power. And, yes, he did carry out atrocities against people who were faithful to God.

“…therefore he [Antiochus IV Epiphanes] will be discouraged and turn back [to Israel] …and show favoritism toward those [Jews] who abandon (break) the holy covenant [with God].

Armed forces of his will arise [in Jerusalem] and defile and desecrate the sanctuary, the [spiritual] stronghold, and will do away with the regular sacrifice [that is, the daily burnt offering]; and they will set up [a pagan altar in the sanctuary which is] the abomination of desolation.

With smooth words [of flattery and praise] he will turn to godlessness those who [are willing to] disregard the [Mosaic] covenant, but the people who [are spiritually mature and] know their God will display strength and act [to resist]. They who are wise and have spiritual insight among the people will instruct many and help them understand; yet for many days some [of them and their followers] will fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder. Now when they fall, they will receive a little help, and many will join them in hypocrisy. Some of those who are [spiritually] wise and have insight will fall [as martyrs] in order to refine, to purge and to make those among God’s people pure, until the end time; because it is yet to come at the time appointed [by God].” [1]

Thankfully, Antiochus IV Epiphanes and his regime are no more. However, after the Romans defeated the Greeks, the Romans persecuted the people of God. Nero burned Christians alive to light his garden at night. He also fed them to wild animals. He forced Christians parents to watch their children suffer.

Let us pray for persecuted Christians: “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” [2]

When the Apostle Peter was imprisoned, constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. In response to the church’s prayers, the Lord sent His angel, and delivered him from King Herod and from the expectation of those who wanted him to die.” [3]

Pray that God would sustain their faith: “The one who endures to the end will be saved.” [4]

Pray for the spread of the Gospel: “…Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” [5]

Pray for pastors as they are primary targets of persecution: “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” [6]

Jesus invites us to continually come before God with prayers for justice. [7]

Pray that God will provide for their needs. “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” [8]

More information is available through Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors.

[1] Daniel 11:30-35 Amplified Bible
[2] Hebrews 13:3
[3] Acts 12:5, 11
[4] Matthew 10:22
[5] 1 Peter 3:15
[6] Mark 14:27
[7] Luke 18:1–8
[8] 3 John 1:2

Daniel’s Faithful Witness

The enemies of Daniel said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” They made a law that Daniel could not obey. Sound familiar? The penalty for breaking their anti-Biblical law was the death penalty. [1]

“God sent His angel to save Daniel because he did no wrong to God or to the king.” [2]

“No injury was found on Daniel because he believed in his God.” [3]

The men and their families who sought to destroy Daniel were destroyed by the very method by which they sought to kill Daniel. [4]

The king wrote to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth, saying, “I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” [5]

God’s faithfulness embodied via Daniel’s life-choices yielded great glory to God throughout the world. At first, it seemed that God’s will was against Daniel, but in the end, God was greatly glorified in him, and Daniel was also honored.

[1] Daniel 6:5-9
[2] Daniel 6:22
[3] Daniel 6:23
[4] Daniel 6:24
[5] Daniel 6:25-27

What a resume! Who would hire him?

In stripes above measure,
in prisons more frequently,
in deaths often...
5x I received 40 lashes less 1.
3x I was beaten with rods;
1x I was stoned;
3x I was shipwrecked;
24 hours in the deep [water];
in journeys often,
in perils of waters,
in perils of robbers,
in perils of my own countrymen,
in perils of the non-Jews,
in perils in the city,
in perils in the wilderness,
in perils in the sea,
in perils among false brethren;
in weariness and toil,
in sleeplessness often,
in hunger and thirst,
in fasting often,
in cold and nakedness—

Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

The Apostle Paul.

2 Corinthians 11:23-28

The High Priest Knows Our Pain

This morning as I read Psalms,
I thought of Jesus Christ.
He cared so much about people…
That He upset those who didn’t care.
Politicians and priests…
Wanted to destroy Him.
Those who followed Him…
Caved into the angry crowd’s…
View of Him.

When thinking of Christ,
We think of His miracles,
His teachings,
His wounds and death,
But what about His heart?
His closest friends…
Betrayed Him.
All He had left was…
His Father God.

But then…
When He took our sins…
Upon Himself…
He realized…
“My God, My God…
“Why have YOU forsaken me?”
It was for our sins…
That He suffered and died…
And rose again...
Triumphant over the grave.

He ever lives…
To intercede for us…
And to redeem us from…
Sin, Satan, and death…
All who will call…
Upon His Name…
Are SAVED!
We have a High Priest…
Who knows our pain!

“For it is not an enemy who reproaches me;
Then I could bear it.
Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me;
Then I could hide from him.
But it was you, a man my equal,
My companion and my acquaintance.
We took sweet counsel together,
And walked to the house of God in the throng.

As for me, I will call upon God,
And the Lord shall save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.

Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” [1]

“Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?

You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know because God is for me.” [2]

[1] Psalm 55:12-14, 16-18, 22
[2] Psalm 56:3-4, 8-9

From Self Insufficiency To Spirit Sufficiency

“’Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God. ‘Therefore turn and live!’” [1]

A prayer: “Holy Spirit of God please move in us and through us to bring us to repentance of crossing holy boundaries (transgressing) and of iniquity (being unfair). Please grant us repentance unto life.”

“We have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the SPIRIT gives life.” [2]

In the world, there is a culture of death and condemnation, but in the Spirit of Christ, there is LIFE... HOLY, meaningful, and productive LIFE. As the prophet Zechariah declared, “’Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” [3]

A prayer: “Heavenly Father, please forgive us for trying to live this difficult life in human strength and wisdom alone. Holy Spirit please live, move, and breathe in and through us. This I pray in the Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen.

[1] Ezekiel 18:30-32
[2] 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
[3] Zechariah 4:6