VICAR

Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You are well and have enjoyed new year celebrations. Happy 2022!

This week as we get back to normality after this Christmas holiday season, please let us dwell on those persecuted Christians. Around the world, many believers are persecuted – imprisoned, even killed – for their faith. Since Jesus laid down His life, 43 million Christians have become martyrs. Right now it is claimed 200 million people face persecution for believing in Jesus and 60% of those people are children.

Because the New Testament was written to persecuted believers, it is filled with examples of how to pray for our brothers and sisters under attack.

Here are 5 examples from Ephesians:

• Please pray persecuted believers would know the hope God gives (Ephesians 1:18).
• Pray the Holy Spirit would strengthen them (Ephesians 3:16).
• Please pray persecuted believers would know how much God loves them (Ephesians 3:17)
• Pray they would know how to share the gospel (Ephesians 6:19).
• Please pray persecuted believers would fearlessly tell others about Jesus (Ephesians 6:20).

Along with the example prayers in the Bible, there are some practical needs persecuted believers would love your prayers for:

• Please pray persecuted believers would have access to a Bible.
• Pray they have the courage to remain in their homeland.
• Please pray for believers who have been rejected by family and friends. Pray that God would surround them with a new Christian “family” who loves them and supports them emotionally and physically.
• Pray for God to be an advocate for women who are socially vulnerable or have lost the custody of their children because of their faith.
• Please pray that God would provide persecuted believers with jobs and safe places to live.

Have a wonderful and peaceful Sunday. God Bless You all.

Sovereign God,
we worship You
and we acknowledge that You know all of those
who suffer in Your name.

We remember those who are imprisoned for their faith
and ask that they would join with the Apostle Paul
to see that even though they remain captive,
their chains have furthered the gospel,
not frustrated it.

May they inspire and embolden their fellow believers
to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

God of all comfort,
for those who are tortured both in body and mind,
give them the grace to endure
and to see their suffering as part of following in Christ’s footsteps.

Merciful God,
for those asked to pay the ultimate price;
who are martyred because of their love for You,
may they truly know Christ
and the power of His resurrection
and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings,
becoming like Him in His death.

Amen