In this brief video, Dr. Michael Lawrence, pastor of Hinson Church in Portland, Oregon, summarizes the biblical and historical reasons why Christians need to regularly pray for the persecuted church. In addition to making an appeal to join the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, pastor Lawrence explains how he leads his local church to pray specifically and regularly for the persecuted church year round.
Christianity.com:Why We Need to Pray for the Persecuted Church from ChristianityDotCom on Vimeo.
The following is a transcript of the video above, edited for readability.
I want to talk about the importance of praying for the persecuted church. This Sunday is the International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church and so some of you may be thinking about doing just that. And I want to encourage you to not only do it this Sunday, but to make it part of your regular practice. I think there are two reasons we should be praying for the persecuted church. One is biblical. Paul, in his letters, is constantly requesting prayer, prayer for other churches like the church in Jerusalem that was suffering and honestly prayer for himself. I mean, he was kind of the walking persecuted church. Wherever he went, he was being persecuted and he was often in chains for the gospel. I became convinced though of the importance of praying for the persecuted church not just for the biblical reason, but because of the example of church history.
It's often said that the seed of the church is the blood of the martyrs, and that the persecution actually does lead to the growth of the church. And that's true. But if it's sustained long enough, hard enough in a particular location, it leads to the end of the church. There was once a thriving church in North Africa on the Arabian Peninsula throughout the Middle East. There is now almost no church in portions of North Africa, no church on the Arabian Peninsula. Why is that? Because of sustained persecution. So I don't want us to have romantic ideas about persecution. We don't need to be afraid of it, but we should take it very seriously and we should be praying for the church.
I try and make sure that every single Sunday I am praying for the church in parts of the world where there is persecution going on. I'll pray for the president or the ruler of that nation by name and ask that God would turn him into a promoter and defender of religious liberty rather than a persecutor of religion. And then I'll pray specifically for the church in that particular location, the God would strengthen it, that God would make the church faithful there, would cause them to bear up under persecution and trial and cause the gospel to flourish. And in doing that, every single Sunday, different countries, different places, I'm trying to train my congregation to think about the church all the time.
Now you can do special events. I think one of the best things going on right now is what David Platt has done with the underground church, where he gathers his whole church and they experience for maybe 24 hours what it's like to be an underground church just like there are places in the world today. We need to not lose sight of the fact that there are brothers and sisters that we're going to spend eternity in heaven with, that are suffering right now because of the gospel. And we want to, at the very least, participate with them in that suffering by holding them up in prayer regularly, faithfully, so that God's gospel would go forth boldly, even under chains.
(Article first published November 12, 2010)
1. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)
2. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12)
3. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15:20)
4. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. (Revelation 2:10)
5. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (Romans 8:35)
6. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (Matthew 5:11)
7. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)
9. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (Matthew 5:11)
10. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
(Excerpted from "Bible Verses about Persecution" by BibleStudyTools.com)
1. We will face persecution
While imprisoned and awaiting execution, Paul wrote to Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). “All” is not a throwaway word in this verse. Paul means it. Everyone who publicly lives as a committed Christian will face some kind of resistance from the world.
This verse ought to recalibrate our expectations. We should be surprised when we don’t face persecution, not when we do, because God’s word promises us that at times we will. That doesn’t make experiencing opposition easier any more than knowing your due date makes giving birth less painful. But at least you can be prepared.
2. There is blessing in persecution
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encouraged his disciples with these words, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10). Jesus defines “persecution” as being reviled and having false things uttered about you. Could there be a better blessing than membership in the kingdom of heaven? Those who endure opposition in this world can be comforted by the fact that they belong to the world to come.
One caveat regarding this blessing is that it is for persecution for “righteousness’ sake.” Unfortunately, some Christians have acted obnoxiously, have been confronted about it, and have called it persecution. That is not what Jesus is talking about here.
3. God manifests his strength to those facing persecution
The Corinthians were looking down on Paul’s persecutions as a sign that God’s blessing was not upon his ministry, and that he was not an apostle to be followed. Paul corrected their thinking, telling them “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10).
It is common for Christians to define success in life as triumphalism and to equate strength with accomplishment. But Paul turns the common thinking on its head. Experiencing health and wealth is not the sign that God’s power is with you, but rather that you are enduring persecution through the strength he provides.
(Excerpted from "5 Promises for the Persecuted" by Eric McKiddie)
Further Reading:
How Can We Help Persecuted Christians?
Persecuted: Christians in a World of Trouble
How the Persecuted Church Prays
Why You're Needed to Pray for Our Persecuted Brethren
Were the Early Christians Really Persecuted?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/poco_bw
This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery
Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father