One of the few promises regarding life in this world is made in the New Testament. It is the assurance that until Jesus returns, people will suffer. Some people have been lucky enough to live in countries where their struggles have nothing to do with their faith. For many over the centuries and even today, identifying with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ can lead to political oppression, social persecution and martyrdom.
As a unified body, Christians around the world sympathize with their brothers and sisters who experience persecution and pain because of their walk with the Lord. They want to help, but don’t really know what they can do for people who live on the other side of the world or are inaccessible behind political ideologies and borders.
Although ultimately all Christians must rely on God, Paul calls believers to respond in this way:
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we must also love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:10-12). From prayer to evangelism, there are things Christians can do for their persecuted brothers.
The persecution began shortly after the Ascension of Jesus Christ. The first martyr was Stephen, who preached a sermon in the streets. The Jews around him stoned him to death for blasphemy.
“Now when they heard these things, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God… And while they were stoning Stephen, he cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” » And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them. And having said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:54-60).
Sometimes we may feel hopeless, as if there is nothing we can do to support our brothers and sisters who are suffering. God assures his people that he loves them and sees them, but he also encourages Christians to love and support one another. Even remotely, there are ways to support persecuted believers through prayer and practical action.
Prayers for persecuted believers
Here are four things Christians in safe countries can pray to support persecuted believers.
1. Pray for political change in their area
The prophet Daniel said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he overthrows kings and establishes kings” (Daniel 2:20b-21a). We can pray for Christians in a country where political leaders oppose the free practice of Christianity. We can pray for a change in leadership to alleviate their suffering and for God to bring about this regime change.
2. Pray for comfort from the Holy Spirit
Sometimes people are born into persecution and spend their entire lives there. One of the names given to the Holy Spirit is Comforter. This person of the Trinity is the one whose presence inhabits every Christian and can give him the assurance that he is not alone. God hears the prayers of those who love him and can help make people more sensitive to the workings of the Spirit. Praying that persecuted Christians would be more sensitive to the comfort of the Holy Spirit is an important thing to lift up to Him.
3. Pray for evangelistic opportunities for persecuted Christians
One of the great mysteries of our world, especially in the 20th century, is that persecution can actually lead unbelievers to be saved and come to Christ. In the Soviet Union, the underground church was strong and growing. Pray that God will use this momentary suffering to save souls from hell and for His glory.
4. Pray for the salvation of persecutors
While the flesh instinctively wants to hurt people, take revenge, and not forgive, the Bible shows time and time again that God’s will is to forgive, to see everyone repent and turn to Him. One of the greatest missionaries of the early Church was Paul, called Saul. He was full of anger and persecuted Christians. But he repented and began to love God and his fellow believers, and it is believed that in the end he himself was martyred. To be like Christ is to desire to see persecutors turn from their sin and wickedness and become Christians too.
3 Practical Ways to Support Persecuted Christians
Here are three things Christians in safe countries can do to concretely support persecuted believers.
1. Support missionaries
There are many ways to support missionaries who minister to persecuted Christians. Whether it is supporting a missionary you know personally, supporting their businesses, giving through your church, giving through a private mission organization, or through a faith-based cooperative program, giving back to missions can provide missionaries with resources to continue their work supporting persecuted Christians.
2. Purchase items to donate to nonprofits that work with persecuted believers
Although Christians should not focus on material possessions, providing relief from material needs can sometimes be a true blessing. Whether it is clothing, food, dug wells or other items, providing this assistance can make a difference in their lives and let them know that they are loved by brothers and sisters far away.
3. Look for ways to promote meaningful change in your country
Sometimes it is possible to get involved in a political movement or issue to try to make a difference in a country or region where Christians are persecuted. A petition can make a difference, as can voting for a politician whose agenda aligns with changing geopolitical approaches. We can advocate for change and ask God to show us how we can work to implement meaningful change. However, we must also understand that true persecution will not cease until Jesus returns for the millennial reign.
Bible verses about persecution
There are many Bible verses about persecution, including:
Matthew 5:10 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. »
Luke 6:22 – “Blessed are you when people hate you and exclude you and revile you and despise your name as evil, because of the Son of Man! »
John 15:18 – “If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you.”
2 Timothy 3:12-13 – “For all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, but the wicked and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
1 Peter 4:12-14 – “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial which comes upon you to test you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share in the sufferings of Christ, that you may also rejoice and be lightened when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
Revelation 6:9-11 – “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice: ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers was complete, who were to be killed like themselves.
While all believers are called to endure and some will experience greater hardship than others, Christians are united as the body of Christ. Keeping suffering brothers and sisters around the world in our prayers and finding opportunities to change or alleviate their situation are ways we can provide support. One day we will all rejoice together in Heaven, free from persecution forever.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/franckreporter
Béthanie Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading and writing to glorify God. She and her husband lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog at graceandgrowing.com.
