2.21.2014 PERSECUTED CHURCH PRAYER LIST

-this is taken from the voice of the martyrs (vom) website.
-VOM also has a prayer calendar and a persecuted church global report and map that can give more info.
-writing to prisoners (currently there are 17 on the list to write to) is a great encouragement to them
and a testimony to their captors! the prisoners often say that they are so greatly encouraged to hear that
so many of their brothers and sisters in Christ around the world care for and think of and PRAY FOR them.

HOW TO PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH (i have adapted this a bit here and there for my own use; for the original list go to vom's site

prayer is
the most necessary action
the greatest gift
the hardest spiritual labour as well as
the simplest cry of the living, loving heart.

the time that you spend in prayer has an eternal impact on the lives of men and women,  boys and girls
throughout our world.

through prayer
our world  is changed
closed doors are opened
resistant people are made receptive
leaders are put down and raised up
and the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ is extended.

no matter where the VOM ministers, the first request of persecuted christians is always the same:
PRAY FOR US!

the word of God remains the best guide for knowing how to pray for our persecuted sisters and brothers
worldwide.


1. THAT THEY WOULD BE GIVEN THE RIGHT WORDS AND THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST AND
THAT THEY WOULD BOLDLY MAKE HIM KNOWN.
(paul asks for prayer from prison, but not for release.

EPHESIANS 6.19-20 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth,
to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel
for which i am an ambassador in chains;
that in proclaiming it i may speak boldly
as i ought to speak.

COLOSSIANS 4.2-4 -devote yourselves to pray, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.
PRAYING at the same time for us as well, THAT GOD WILL OPEN UP TO US
A DOOR FOR THE WORD,
SO THAT WE MAY SPEAK FORTH THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST,
FOR WHICH I HAVE ALSO BEEN IMPRISONED;
THAT I MAY MAKE IT CLEAR IN THE WAY I OUGHT TO SPEAK.


2. THAT THEY WOULD SEE GOD'S GRACE AS SUFFICIENT
AND THAT GOD'S POWER WOULD BE PERFECTED THROUGH THEIR WEAKNESS.
(II CORINTHIANS 12.9-10
for those left behind (family),
sometimes the wife must feed her husband..
when both are in prison...the children left alone.)


3. THAT THEY WOULD LOVE CHRIST'S APPEARING MORE AND MORE.

II TIMOTHY 4.5-8 -but you, BE SOBER IN ALL THINGS,
ENDURE HARDNESS,
DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST,
FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY,
FOR I AM READY TO BE POURED OUT
AND THE TIME OF MY DEPARTURE HAS COME.
I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
I HAVE FINISHED THE COURSE,
I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH
IN THE FUTURE THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, WILL AWARD TO ME ON THAT DAY,
AND NOT ONLY TO ME BUT TO ALL WHO HAVE LOVED HIS APPEARING.

HEBREWS 11.35-9 - women received back their dead by resurrection
and OTHERS WERE TORTURED, NOT ACCEPTING THEIR RELEASE,
SO THAT THEY MIGHT OBTAIN A BETTER RESURRECTION;
AND OTHERS EXPERIENCED MOCKINGS AND SCOURGINGS,
YES, ALSO CHAINS AND IMPRISONMENT.
THEY WERE STONED, THEY WERE SAWN IN TWO.
THEY WERE TEMPTED,
THEY WERE PUT TO DEATH WITH THE SWORD;
THEY WENT ABOUT IN SHEEPSKINS, IN GOATSKINS,
BEING DESTITUTE, AFFLICTED, ILL TREATED
(MEN OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY),
WANDERING IN DESERTS AND MOUNTAINS AND CAVES AND HOLES IN THE GROUND.
AND ALL THESE, HAVING GAINED APPROVAL THROUGH THEIR FAITH,


4. THAT THEY WILL REJOICE IN SHARING THE SUFFERINGS OF JESUS

HEBREWS 10.32-6 - but remember the former days, when, after being enlightened,
YOU ENDURED A GREAT CONFLICT OF SUFFERINGS,
PARTLY BY BEING MADE A PUBLIC SPECTACLE
THROUGH REPROACHES AND TRIBULATIONS
AND PARTLY BY BECOMING SHARERS WITH THOSE WHO WERE SO TREATED.
FOR YOU SHOWED SYMPATHY TO THE PRISONERS
AND ACCEPTED JOYFULLY THE SEIZURE OF YOUR PROPERTY,
KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELVES A BETTER POSSESSION
AND A LASTING ONE.
THEREFORE, DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR CONFIDENCE,
WHICH HAS A GREAT REWARD.
FOR YOU HAVE NEED OF ENDURANCE,
so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

MATTHEW 5.10f BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PERSECUTED
FOR THE SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN men cast insults at you
and persecute you
and say all kinds of evil against you falsely
ON ACCOUNT OF ME.
REJOICE AND BE GLAD FOR YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN IS GREAT,
for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I PETER 1.5-9 - you who are protected by the power of God through faith
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
in this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary
YOU HAVE BEEN DISTRESSED BY VARIOUS TRIALS,
SO THAT THE PROOF OF YOUR FAITH,
BEING MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD WHICH IS PERISHABLE,
EVEN THOUGH TESTED BY FIRE,
MAY BE FOUND TO RESULT IN PRAISE AND GLORY AND HONOR
AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him
and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him,
you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.


5. THAT THEY WOULD ENDURE.

HEBREWS 5.8 -although He was a son
HE LEARNED OBEDIENCE FROM THE THINGS WHICH HE SUFFERED.

HEBREWS 11.13 - ALL THESE DIED IN FAITH, WITHOUT RECEIVING THE PROMISE
but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance
and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.


6. THAT THEY WILL LOVE CHRIST MORE THAN THEIR LIFE

ACTS 20.24- but I DO NOT CONSIDER MY LIFE of any account AS DEAR TO MYSELF,
SO THAT I MAY FINISH MY COURSE
AND THE MINISTRY WHICH I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD JESUS,
TO TESTIFY SOLEMNLY OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.

PHILIPPIANS 1.21- FOR ME TO LIVE IN CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN.

REVELATION 12.10-1 then i heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,
our God and the authority of His Christ have come,
for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down,
he who accused them before our God day and night.
and THEY OVERCAME HIM BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB
AND BECAUSE OF THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY
AND THEY DID NOT LOVE THEIR LIFE EVEN WHEN FACED WITH DEATH.


7. THAT THEY WILL LOVE THEIR ENEMIES

LUKE 6.27-8;36-8 but I say to YOU WHO HEAR,
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU
BLESS THOSE WHO  CURSE YOU
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY ABUSE YOU
...BE MERCIFUL...

(note: here not the common greek word for mercy but oiktimonAs which means something akin to
LAMENT AND REGRET THE MISFORTUNE AND DEATH OF EVERY PERSON
WHO DOES NOT OBEY GOD)

as your Father in heaven is merciful (oiktirmonAs again)
and DO NOT JUDGE (ie. saying, thinking , feeling 'that is bad!, you are bad!' rather than encouraging,
wishing, praying that the person does what God says and never what God prohibits)
and you will not be judged,
and DO NOT CONDEMN (ie. something like putting a person in a dungeon (in your heart) and locking
the door and throwing away the key and saying i will never, from my heart, care for or help you again...
GO TO HELL!) and you will not be condemned,
PARDON (ie. Lord help me wrestle and labor to immediately, completely forgive every sin against me
and every hateful remembrance of offensive behavior toward me A.S.A.P.....so that at any time i can
with delight pray, 'our Father which art in heaven...forgive us AS we forgive those who sin against us...)
GIVE, GOOD MEASURE, PRESSED DOWN, SHAKEN TOGETHER, RUNNING OVER
to every one from our worst enemy on down..


8. THAT THEY WOULD NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION

LUKE 22.39-45 and He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the mount of olives
and the disciples also followed Him.
and when He arrived at the place, He said to them,
'pray that you may not enter into temptation.
and He withdrew from them about a stone's throw
and He knelt down and began to pray, saying
'Father, IF THOU ART WILLING,
REMOVE this cup from Me, yet NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE.
now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.
and being in agony He was praying very fervently
and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
and when He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow
and said to them,
'why are you sleeping? RISE AND PRAY THAT YOU MAY NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION.'


9. THAT THEY WILL REJOICE THAT THEY ARE CONSIDERED WORTHY TO SUFFER FOR
JESUS' NAME

ACTS 5.41 - 'flogged them...so they went on their way from the presence of the Council,
REJOICING THAT THEY HAD BEEN CONSIDERED WORTHY TO
SUFFER SHAME FOR HIS NAME'.


10. THAT THEY WILL REMEMBER THEY WERE MADE FOR SUCH PERSECUTION

ACTS 14.22- paul's company 'returned...strengthening the souls of the disciples,
encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying,
'THROUGH MANY TRIBULATIONS WE MUST ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD'.


11. THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE JOY OF THE LORD BEFORE THEIR PERSECUTORS
AND THE WATCHING WORLD

ACTS 16.25- 'but about midnight paul and silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God,
and the prisoners were listening to them.

PHILIPPIANS 1.27 - only CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN A MANNER
WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST,
so that whether i come and see you or remain absent,
i will hear of you that you are STANDING FIRM IN ONE SPIRIT,
WITH ONE MIND STRIVING TOGETHER FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL;
IN NO WAY ALARMED BY YOUR OPPONENTS
-which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too from God.


12. THAT THEY WILL REMEMBER THAT UNBELIEVABLE FUTURE BLISS WITH THEIR
SAVIOR AND LORD IS A MOMENT AWAY!

ROMANS 8.28 - and WE KNOW THAT GOD CAUSES
ALL THINGS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD
TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD,
TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.

II CORINTHIANS 4.16-8 - therefore we do not lose heart,
\but though our outer man is decaying,
yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
FOR MOMENTARY, LIGHT AFFLICTION 
IS PRODUCING for us AN ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY
FAR BEYOND ALL COMPARISON
while we look not at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are not seen;
for the things which are seen are temporal,
but the things which are not seen are eternal.


13. THAT THEY WILL LEARN COMPLETE MOMENT BY MOMENT TRUST IN THE LORD

II CORINTHIANS 1.8-10 - for we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our AFFLICTION
which came to us in asia,
that WE WERE BURDENED EXCESSIVELY, BEYOND OUR STRENGTH,
SO THAT WE DESPAIRED EVEN OF LIFE;
indeed WE HAD THE SENTENCE OF DEATH WITHIN OURSELVES
SO THAT WE WOULD NOT TRUST IN OURSELVES,
BUT IN GOD WHO RAISES THE DEAD
WHO DELIVERED US FROM SO GREAT A PERIL OF DEATH
AND WILL DELIVER US,
HE ON WHOM WE HAVE SET OUR HOPE.
AND HE WILL YET DELIVER US.


14. THAT THEY WILL REJOICE THAT THEY LIKEWISE CAN BEAR IN THEIR BODIES
THE BRAND MARKS OF JESUS.

GALATIANS 6.17- from now on let no one cause trouble for me,
for I BEAR ON MY BODY THE BRAND MARKS OF JESUS.


15. THAT THEY WILL REJOICE IN FILLING UP THE SUFFERINGS OF JESUS CHRIST

PHILIPPIANS 1.24 - now I REJOICE IN MY SUFFERINGS FOR YOUR SAKE
AND IN MY FLESH I DO MY SHARE ON BEHALF OF HIS BODY,  which is the church,
IN FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING IN CHRIST'S AFFLICTIONS.
(note: paul is not saying that what Christ suffered for our sins on the cross was incomplete
and needed to be completed by His followers. the risen Christ asked paul, 'why are you persecuting Me?
from this we know that when anyone persecutes a follower of Christ, they are persecuting Him.
so all who live godly in Christ Jesus until the second coming of Christ will be 'filling up' as it were
the sufferings of the Christ and of all His followers..from righteous abel to the last martyr or sufferer
of the great tribulation period before the Millenium have, and will, like paul be 'filling up' the suffering
that comes to anyone who follows God faithfully to the end...i'm thinking...)


16. THAT THEY WOULD ASSIDUOUSLY SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AS LONG AS THEY DRAW BREATH.

MATTHEW 6.19-34 DO NOT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES UPON EARTH
where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
but LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES IN HEAVEN where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and steal
for where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.
the lamp of the body is the eye;
if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.
but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.
if therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS;
for either he will hate the one and love the other
or he will hold to one and despise the other.
you cannot serve God and mammon.
for this reason i say to you, DO NOT BE ANXIOUS FOR YOUR LIFE,
as to what you shall eat or what you shall drink;
nor for your body, as to what you shall put on.
is not life more than food and the body than clothing?
LOOK AT THE BIRDS of the air,
that they do not sow,
neither do the reap
nor gather into barns
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
ARE YOU NOT WORTH MUCH MORE than they?
and which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?
and why are you anxious about clothing?
OBSERVE HOW THE LILIES OF THE FIELD GROW,
they do not toil nor do they spin,
yet i say to you that even solomon in all his glory
did not clothe himself like one of these.
but if God so arrays the grass of the field,
which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace,
will He not much more do so for you,
O men of little faith?
DO NOT BE ANXIOUS  then, saying,
'what shall we eat? of what shall we drink or
'with what shall we clothe ourselves?'
for all these things the gentiles eagerly seek;
for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
but SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
 and all these things shall be added to you.
therefore DO NOT BE ANXIOUS FOR TOMORROW;
for tomorrow will care for itself.
each day has enough trouble of its own.