A Prayer for Those Who Persecute and Those Persecuted: To the Ends of the Earth.

Holy Father, our shield and protector and to our beloved Christ, Lord of glory and the lifter of our head, we cry out to you in one voice (Psalm 3:3). Salvation belongs to you Lord. Salvation is the rain of blessing from your righteous hand. Bless the persecutors of Your people (Psalm 3: 8). Arise, O Lord and save them. Lift up the light of Your countenance upon them (Psalms 4: 7) and show them the way of everlasting to everlasting. Just as you saved Saul of Tarsus and made him Apostle Paul we ask that you save those who do not know you (Acts 8 and 9). Please reveal and illuminate Christ, our Lord of Light, who You, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God of our fathers, have glorified. Holy and Just Father, these ones are persecuting Christ, as we all did, but they do not know Him; they do not know what He has done for them and how He carried our shame and humiliation to the cross to bring the eternal reconciliation of peace through His resurrection. This is the basis of our faith; faith in the powerful name of Jesus and in whom we pray (Acts 3: 13-16). We pray for these enemies of the cross, as we once were (Matthew 5:44). Please keep them safe so that one day they will humble themselves, turn away from their evil works and receive Your perfect healing (2 Chronicles 7: 14).

• “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.                                             (Matthew 5:10-12)

Lord, give Your people boldness once again to share about Jesus when so much attention is focused on our plight (Acts 4: 24-31). Help us to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and forgive (Colossians 3: 12-13). Let the peace of Christ rule our hearts so that we are thankful. And most of all, let the word of Christ richly dwell within our hearts, with all wisdom so that we will tell of our beautiful Jesus in whatever situation we are in; during times of spiritual peace and during times of spiritual war, and emulate His goodness (Colossians 3: 15-16; 2 Tim 4: 2; 2 Timothy 2: 21). Help those families who are being asked to become a spiritual sacrifice; a fragrant offering on the coals of fire (Ephesians 5: 2). We know that their sacrifice will not be in vain. For Your holy works do not come back void, nor will Your purposes be thwarted in heaven or on earth (Job 42: 2; Proverbs 16: 4). Thank you for how You are using the deaths of Your people to bring others to Your glory. We know that we have the assurance of forgiveness and when we die, You sweet Jesus are waiting to welcome us home. We long to feel Your embrace and hear, ‘Well done, my good and faithful one, enter in and come and stay with me’ (Matthew 25: 23). Preserve the unity and holiness of Your bride so that we will not be ashamed.

We pray and act in the powerful name of Jesus (Colossians 3: 17).

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.

Our helper You amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe—

His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal….

The Spirit and gifts are ours through You who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also, the body they may kill;

Your truth abideth still:  Your kingdom is forever.

(Written by Martin Luther in the 1500’s and it is current as if written today)