The Persecuted Church

There was an AP report this week of a 33 year old woman in North Korea who was publicly executed for sharing her faith in Jesus Christ - she handed a Bible to someone. Her husband and children were sent to a labor camp and will likely never be heard from again.

Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of South Koreans pray and fast regularly for the people of North Korea, that the Spirit of God would break through the bondage of evil and the chains of darkness that grip North Korea. The South Koreans have a prayer mountain where they can look into North Korea and pray.

This Sunday is the International Day of Prayer for the Church in Pakistan. Christians are regularly killed and imprisoned and mistreated without any justice or recourse in Pakistan. Church leaders in Pakistan have asked Christians around the world to collectively intercede before the throne of God on their behalf. Will you plan on participating?

There are many other countries where persecution of the church is increasing, but the fields continue to be white for the harvest, so continue to pray for these faithful, courageous brothers and sisters in Christ who give up everything in this life to follow Jesus.

The Scripture is clear in calling us to pray for these God-exalting brothers and sisters:

Heb. 13:3: "Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body."

How are you doing? Are you remembering these brothers and sisters in Christ as though you are there with them?

Matt. 5:10-12: Blessed are those persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who are insulted and persecuted and spoken evil of on account of Jesus. They are to rejoice and be glad for great is their reward in heaven.

Eph. 6:18: "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints."

Eph. 19-20 and Col. 4:2-3: Praying for those in prison (Paul) that the Lord would open doors for sharing the Gospel of Christ.

Col. 4:12: "Laboring earnestly" in your prayers for one another.

Thanks for joining me in laboring for these saints.

Some ideas on what to pray:

That the chains of evil and the scourge of darkness would be lifted so that the light of Christ fully covers these nations.

That there would be transformation in the hearts of the government leaders. Daniel Chapter 4 is an encouraging example of the transformation of one of the most pagan kings on the face of the earth.

That the followers of Jesus would be courageous, encouraged, have their needs met, be full of hope and joy, reflect the supernatural presence of Christ, and be rescued from their suffering.

That those of us living in freedom would understand how best to minister to and encourage these saints.