Praying for the Persecuted Church
Hi everyone! As mentioned at our November Powerhouse prayer gathering, this Sunday 6th November is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted church. This is appropriately placed on the Sunday nearest to All Saints Day. What follows are some ways in which we can be praying during this time.
As we prayed at Powerhouse, all around the world today, God is doing a new thing. Stories of revivals and incredible signs and wonders are coming out of some of the most darkest and difficult places to be a follower of Jesus - places where just 5 words can lead to imprisonment, abuse or death - “I believe in Jesus Christ”. For 360 million Christians around the world, this is their daily reality. Despite this, it is important to remember that Jesus is building his Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. As the body of Christ, this is a special time for us to come together to pray for those who are persevering in the face of hardship, letting them know they are not forgotten and that we are praying for them.
Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea appear on the Open Doors world watch list as being some of the most challenging places to be a follower of Jesus, much less to meet with others and worship him. Let’s be praying that as well as comfort for the broken and the hurting, justice for the oppressed and a strengthened witness of Jesus - that God will do a new thing in those places that will be an unstoppable revolution of his love, his power and his salvation. Please do visit the Open Doors website though for more information on these and other places.
IRAN
There are an estimated 800,000 Christians in Iran. Despite the extreme persecution facing the church in Iran, the church continues to see strong growth - the fastest growing church in then world by some accounts.
• Pray for Iran, especially in relation to the safety and protection of women and men who bravely protest the death of Mahsa Amini. Pray that the authorities would back down from confrontation and choose engagement over hostility.
• Thank God for such strong growth and that Christians would continue to grow in number and maturity. Pray also for safety for muslim converts and the dangers they and their families often face.
• Pray for believers who are suffering for Christ to stand strong in his love and power – and that this love and power would extend to those who oppose them.
• Pray for protection for Christians from harm, and keep prying eyes from house churches. Pray that these gatherings be places where believers are transformed into Christ’s likeness and equipped for everyday service to him.
Afghanistan
No one knows for certain how many Christians are in Afghanistan - Open Doors considers it to be the most dangerous place in the world to be a follower of Jesus. Persecution has increased since the Taliban took control in August 2021. However, some reports state though it is the second-fastest growing church in the world - as many Iranian Christians are becoming missionaries to the Afghan people.
• Pray that the suffering of the people of Afghanistan under the Taliban would come to an end.
• Pray for those Christians (and all people) who are forced to flee to other countries - that they would find safe passage and refuge.
• Pray for protection for Christians who remain - by choice or necessity - and all others who face terrible human rights abuses in Afghanistan. Pray that God would work miracles in the life of this nation, and that the church would continue to grow and flourish.
• Pray that this nation would turn from one of despair and cruelty to one that resounds with the praises of Jesus’ name.
North Korea
Once again, It’s hard to know exactly how many Christians there are in North Korea, because they must keep their faith so well hidden, but Open Doors estimates it is 400,000. About 50-70,000 of these Christians are in horrendous prisons and labour camps.
• Pray for the people of North Korea, in their suffering, pain and long wait for freedom. Pray that food, water and resources would get to all people.
• Pray that God would powerfully be at work, even in the prisons and labour camps, where secret churches are known to operate. May the light shine even in the darkest places.
• Pray for a glimpse of God’s light to his people in North Korea, and inflame the hearts of all believers who risk everything to follow Jesus.
• Pray for a new thing to begin in the life of that nation - even amongst the leadership and oppressive government - for freedom, for justice, and for hope.
A prayer for the Persecuted church
Ever-living God,
whose Church is strengthened by the blood of the martyrs,
we thank you for the witness of the Church in Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea - and all other places around the world where your people are oppressed and persecuted. and we pray for the faithful remnant who endure.
In suffering, sustain them;
In fragility, nurture them;
In isolation, surround them with your love.
Do a new thing in and through both them and us.
May we see your presence in the small and vulnerable,
for the bruised reed you do not break, nor the smouldering wick snuff out.
Renew us, and the persecuted Church, in the message of hope
shown in the death and resurrection of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Jon Tattersall
Associate Vicar