Pray for the Persecuted

I came across an interesting article highlighting the European Union’s recent resolution against the persecution of Christians [HT: Kevin Thompson]. It is good that free governments like the EU and the US push against regimes that persecute Christians.

Yet such should not be our only response to persecution. We should seek to apply these verses and remember our brothers and sisters in prayer and in a willingness to suffer with them and help them.

Heb. 10:34

For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

Heb. 13:3

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

But even more than that, we should be thankful for their suffering, even as Christ’s church is spread through suffering. Take time to read Zioneer’s old post on “The Blood of the Martyrs”, and contemplate his contention that it really martyrdom the “seed of the church”.

Consider laying your life down to reach those who are ignorantly persecuting our fellow-believers. And consider sacrificing and supporting organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, which remind us of the suffering the world wide church is experiencing.

I leave you with these verses to contemplate:

Rom. 8:16-18

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

~~posted by Bob