And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

What to Pray

You may be wonder what you can do to help your brothers and sisters in Christ around the World. Stand for Faith encourages all Christians to pray for those around the world who experience persecution for believing in Jesus Christ.

You may also be wondering what to pray for. We’ve included some prayer ideas below, courtesy of ReleaseInternational.org.

Individuals – Pray that they:

  • remain strong in faith and trust despite physical and psychological abuse
  • will be able to forgive those who persecute them or who fail to support them
  • will experience and know love, joy and peace from God (Romans 8:28-39)
  • will walk humbly in their identification with Christ’s sufferings
  • will be fruitful witnesses to others
  • will be able to balance standing up for their rights, yet responding in grace and love

Spouses – Pray that they:

  • cope with the sense of loss and isolation
  • cope with caring and providing for children alone
  • remain full of faith and hope
  • overcome any intimidation from police or other aggressors

Children – Pray that they:

  • are protected from long term psychological/emotional harm and bitterness
  • are protected from abduction or the “corrective teaching” some States try to impose
  • might know and experience the love of God

Converts – Pray that they:

  • receive help to grow spiritually
  • are protected and provided for should their family or community turn against them
  • will have the courage to lead others to know Christ

Sample Prayer

Father in Heaven, you make your sun shine
on good and bad alike.
Your Son Jesus Christ died for us all
and in his glorious Resurrection
He still retains the five wounds of his Passion.
With his divine power he now sustains
all those who suffer persecution and martyrdom
for the sake of their fidelity
to the faith of the Church.
Merciful and mighty Father,
do not allow Cain to return again to murder
helpless Abel, innocent Abel.
May persecuted Christians around the world
remain, like Mary, their Mother,
together at the foot of the cross
of Christ the Martyr.
Comfort those menaced by violence
and those oppressed by uncertainty.
May your Holy Spirit of love
make fruitful the witness and the blood
of those who die forgiving.

Amen.

Scripture to Reference

Romans 5:3, Romans 8:17-18, 1 Corinthians 12:26, 2 Corinthians 1:5-11, Hebrews 13:3, Colossians 4:18, Philippians 1:12-13, Philippians 1:14. Romans 15:5-6, 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, 11-12, Philippians 3:10, Deuteronomy 31:8, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 16:10. Hebrews 13:3. Revelation 12:11