Every day, all around the world, Christians are persecuted for their faith. They are imprisoned, tortured, and even killed because of their beliefs. As Christians, it is our duty to pray for them. We must intercede on their behalf, asking God to give them strength amid their trials.
We must also remember that we are not immune to persecution. As the world becomes increasingly hostile to Christianity, we could find ourselves facing the same kinds of trials as our brothers and sisters in other countries. So let us pray not only for them but also for ourselves that we may be able to stand strong in the face of persecution.
We might picture Christians living in hostile foreign countries when we think of the persecuted church. However, believers can be persecuted right here in America too.
Experts say that religious persecution is on the rise globally, with Christians being the most targeted group. This is why we need to pray regularly for our brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith. And thankfully, the Bible has a lot to say about persecution and how to respond to it. Below you’ll find a few prayers and verses to help you stand with the persecuted church worldwide.
Prayers for The Persecuted Church
Prayer for Our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters
Father God, we come to you today with heavy hearts, lifting up our brothers and sisters facing persecution for their faith. We pray for those who have been jailed, tortured, and even killed because they refuse to deny your name.
We ask that you would give them strength, Lord. Strength to endure the suffering they are facing. Strength to stand firm in their beliefs. And strength to know that you are with them always; that you will never leave or forsake them.
We also pray for those who are causing this persecution, Lord. We pray that your Spirit would convict them of their error and that they would turn from their wicked ways. We pray that they would come to know you as Lord and Savior and find peace and forgiveness in you.
Father, we know that nothing is impossible for you. We ask that you work mightily in this situation, bringing an end to the persecution of your people and bringing many to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
Prayer for Ourselves
Lord, we pray that we will never take our freedom to worship You for granted. We are so grateful for the ability to gather in Your name and sing praises to Your glory. And we know that many people worldwide face persecution simply because of their faith in You. They are denied basic rights and freedoms and have to live in fear daily just because of their religious beliefs.
But even as we give thanks for our freedoms, we must remember those who do not share them. So help us to be ever mindful of those who struggle simply for the right to believe in You, O Lord. Give us a sense of urgency when it comes to standing up for religious liberty, and grant us grace and strength if we should ever face persecution ourselves. Above all, help us always proclaim Your greatness and Your love, despite the risks involved. For it is only through Your name that anyone will truly find salvation, Lord. Amen.
Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Prayer for Safety
Lord, we cannot even imagine the fear and pain our brothers and sisters facing persecution must be going through. It must be so difficult to cope with this daily onslaught of hatred and brutality, especially when they have done nothing to deserve it. But we know that You are a God of justice, a defender of the innocent, and we pray that You would shield them from harm in this time of great uncertainty.
May their enemies be filled with fear, Lord, so that they will not dare to raise a hand against these precious souls. May You keep them safe from those who seek their harm, and may You protect them even in the darkest hour. And when they are running out of strength and courage, may Your presence fill them with hope and peace so that they can face each day with renewed determination and faith.
We lift up our brothers and sisters who are facing persecution to you today, Lord. We pray that You would end this injustice, bringing Your heavenly light of love into the midst of darkness. Amen.
Acts 8:1
And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Prayer for Strength
Lord, we lift up our brothers and sisters who are facing persecution worldwide. Whether they are targeted for their race, religion, nationality, or political beliefs, we know they must feel frightened and helpless. We pray that You would give them the strength and resilience to endure these trials and persevere through these difficult times.
Furthermore, we ask that You be with our brothers and sisters every step of the way, offering them peace in their hearts even as the world around them seems to be tearing apart. We ask that You would surround them with Your soothing presence and fill them with hope for the future. And finally, Lord, we pray that You would use this experience to draw them closer to You; may they come to know Your love more profoundly than ever before. Amen.
Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Prayer for Faith
Lord, we pray for our loved ones who are struggling in this world. They face many challenges every day and need your guidance and support more than ever. We ask that you give them the faith to believe that you are always with them, watching over them and guiding them no matter what obstacles they may face.
We pray for hope in times of despair, for the strength and courage to move forward no matter what hardships they must endure. Above all, we ask that you shower our loved ones with your boundless love and compassion, filling their hearts with healing and joy even when things seem dark and hopeless. We trust in you, Lord, and know that you will never abandon those we hold dear. Amen.
Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
No one should have to suffer for their faith. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, being a Christian comes at a great cost. As we pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world this week, let us also remember to give thanks for the freedom we have to worship openly.
And let us commit ourselves to doing whatever we can to support our brothers and sisters who do not enjoy that same freedom.
Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Bible Verses for The Persecuted Church
Corinthians 12:10
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.
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Luke 11:49
Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’
Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Peter 4:16
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
Acts 9:5
And he said, “Who are You, Lord? And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
Peter 4:19
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Peter 3:17
For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
Corinthians 4:9
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
Hebrews 10:33
partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated.
Prayer Points for The Persecuted Church
- Pray for the safety of Christians who are being persecuted for their faith.
- Pray for strength and courage for Christians who are facing persecution.
- Pray for wisdom for Christian leaders working to protect and support persecuted Christians.
- Pray that God would change the hearts of those who are persecuting Christians.
- Pray that God would provide for persecuted Christians’ physical and emotional needs.
- Pray that God would give persecuted Christians hope during their trials.
- Pray that God would use persecuted Christians to advance His kingdom.
- Pray that God would bring an end to Christian persecution around the world.
We also have prayers for persecuted Christians, specifically if you know someone (or yourself) is under attack.
Have Your Prayer Shared
Let us share your prayer for the persecuted church around the world.
