“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,” begins Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church. “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (1:3,5 NIV).
When Christians are persecuted, they experience the sufferings of Christ and also the comfort he pours out on them. By others’ enduring examples, believers are inspired to persevere in the troubles brought about by following Jesus. By others’ faithful prayers, believers are strengthened in the power of God and reminded of the hope set before them. Paul refers to this when he explains to the Corinthian church that the hardships he and Timothy suffered were almost unbearable. About God, he relays, “On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers” (1:10b-11a). One in seven Christians worldwide are persecuted. One of them is Amani in Egypt. A convert from Islam, her family discovered her reading the Bible and proceeded to beat her, confine her, and force her into an unwanted marriage. Thankfully, she is now being comforted by Christians at various safe houses, but still needs God to provide for her.
Let’s pray for Amani and fellow believers experiencing persecution:
Holy God, you are worth living for and dying for. Our hope is in Jesus, who gives us eternal life with you. Those who are suffering on your behalf depend on your strength to endure and your comfort as they cling to the hope you give. Through our prayers, remind them that they are “hard pressed on every side, but not crushed… persecuted, but not abandoned” (2 Corinthians 4:8a,9a NIV). May our sister Amani experience your strong, fatherly love as you protect her and meet her daily needs. Be her comforter as she endures trouble and separation from her family. Nourish her soul with your truth and love, and may her eyes be fixed on you. May all of us keep our eyes on Jesus.
Pray for our persecuted Christian family as you work through a Heart Training book.
2 Responses
Thank you, I am blessed reading this. Reminds me of what true hardships others face, whilst I have the freedom to worship and get to know God, yet I fail everyday letting daily toil, worries deter me from studying, praying and worshipping without persecution. Praying for Amani and others. Thankyou
Thank you for joining in prayer, Wilma! I appreciate you sharing your perspective – so relatable. The persecuted Christians are such good examples to us of keeping Jesus in focus.