Call to Worship God, to Gather Together
Exodus 15:2
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation; this is my God and I will praise him, my father's God and I will exalt him.
All Christian power springs from communion with God and from the indwelling of divine grace.
~ James H Aughey
Prayer
Christ Jesus, you see all things. It is a joy to know you and follow you as Lord. Regardless of the type of persecution we may face, let us not resort to personal vindication but trust that you -- living in us – are greater than he who is in the world, and that we are blessed to be in the kingdom of your world here on earth and in heaven. Amen.
Prayers for the Persecuted
The following four prayers are from the Knowing Jesus website, built for those in the throes of the persecution experience. Consider praying them as the Spirit moves.
For The Children Of Persecuted Christians
Oh Lord, we bring before You all persecuted Christians in so many parts of the world, and we particularly lift up their children, knowing that children can be so abused and ill-treated and used as pawns to cause their parents to falter in their faith.
Guard and protect all these little ones. Keep each one from any long-term psychological harm, emotional pain or feelings of bitter revenge that can result from the atrocities that they have had to go through and witness.
Protect every single life we pray, and we ask that You would intervene in any attempts to abduct the children of Christians and expose them to forced “corrective teaching” or “child labour” camps.
Lord, You were the one that said, "let the little children come to Me and forbid them not." I pray that each and every child that experiences some form of persecution against their faith, will be kept and protected by You, and brought at last into Your everlasting kingdom, where every tear and all pain will be wiped away, forever.
Amen.
For Those Suffering Intolerance For Their Faith
Our Lord and Heavenly God, Who suffered and bled and died under shocking conditions and rose again into newness of life, we lay before You all the believers in Christ who for Your sake, are going through acts of hate and intolerance, that are ravaging the lives of so many Christians today, and in so many different parts of the world.
Comfort with Your grace, all those who are experiencing the hatred and intolerance of their fellow men, and give them the grace and strength to face whatever evils are being perpetrated against them.
Move I pray, those that are oppressing our brothers and sisters with compassion and mercy.
Let all who are suffering, know Your special closeness in all the struggles they are going through. Provide for their bodily needs, and sustain their spirit with Your heavenly grace. Fill their hearts with hope, knowing that You are with them in all things and will never leave them nor forsake them. In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen.
Prayer For Individual Persecuted Christians
Loving Lord, we live in an evil world and know that You are coming back soon for Your Church. Be with all those who are suffering persecution at the hands of so many that would destroy the truth of Your Word.
Help every man and woman, boy and girl that is going through some form of persecution today. May You guard and guide and encourage each one, no matter where they are.
Give them the strength to remain firm in their faith, despite any physical, emotion or psychological pain they may have to endure for the sake of Jesus Christ. Protect and keep each one from harm and danger that stalks their path. Hide them under the shadow of Your wing, and support and strengthen them in the ordeals that they will be subjected to.
Let Your peace and joy and love reign in their hearts, and help them to walk humbly before You, as they identify with the sufferings that the Lord Jesus endured for them. And Father, may their lives, and possibly their deaths, be a fruitful witness. May the seed of Your love be planted in the hearts of their persecutors, so that their life may produce much fruit. In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen
Prayer For New Converts To Christ
Loving Lord, we lift up our brothers and sisters that are being persecuted in so many places in our world and in so many inhumane ways. Lord, we lift up all new converts, all those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, knowing that they will have to face possible rejection and even persecution from family, friends and the communities in which they live.
Guide and protect them we pray, from all assaults of the enemy, in body soul and spirit. Lord, we ask that You would keep them from harm, and provide all that they need to sustain their lives. And Father, please provide the spiritual food that they need to grow in You and mature in their faith, so that their trust in You becomes strong and they are able to withstand the fiery darts of the enemy.
Give them the courage to face the future, knowing that You are with them and in them, and Father we thank You that You are growing Your church with the dear new converts to Christ. Be with them always I pray,
Amen.
Prayer For Persecuted Christians In Prison
Loving Father, I lay each and every one of Your children that are suffering as a result of persecution in prison or hard labour camps. Father God, please be very close to every single one that has been confined to prison for their faith, and pour out Your life-saving grace into each life and heart.
May Your Holy Spirit permeate their being with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, and may Your sustaining hope warm their aching hearts, knowing that they can draw near to you and that You are with them in the terrible ordeal that they are going through. Infuse them with a sense of Your closeness and presence, and may Your holy angels be ministering spirits that surround and support them every moment of the day and night.
Lord, I am sure that the doubts and fears that flood their minds during their capture must be shocking and far beyond what we, who have never had to taste such atrocities, can imagine. But in Your great love and mercy, pour in Your strength and support them with Your loving kindness and tender pity. May each one find in You the depth of peace and rest that their soul needs. Father, they are Your children and our brothers and sisters. Hold them closely in the palm of Your loving hands. In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.