21 Days of Prayer and Fasting - Day 20

DAY 20 - PERSECUTION

“20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know Him who sent me.”

– John 15:20-21 –

Jesus reminded us that the world will not receive us. It hated Jesus and it will hate us. It’s not the physical world doing this but the spiritual. “12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). Persecution will come as the enemy continues to try and snuff out the light. The crucifixion of Christ was a result of persecution, and throughout the ages more and more persecutions has come upon anyone bearing the name of Jesus.

According to Open Doors Ministry, 245 million Christians are currently experiencing heavy persecution for their choice to follow Jesus. However, as was in the early church, as well as now, persecution causes the church to grow not shrink. No one would die for lie. Many who are the persecutors end up being converted as a result. The Apostle Paul is a great example of this. What the enemy means for evil God uses for good.

Pray for our brothers and sisters around the globe that are living in areas of high persecution that God would strengthen, bless, and encourage them to fight the good fight even unto death. Pray that the Gospel would continue to go forward at all costs. Pray for the families of those who have lost loved ones as a result, and that they would be comforted and strengthened in their faith to press on towards the prize. Finally, pray for their boldness to preach and their faith to increase.

“Never did the church so much prosper and so truly thrive as when she was baptized in the blood. The ship of the church never sails so gloriously along as when the bloody spray of her martyrs falls on her deck. We must suffer and we must die, if we are ever to conquer this world for Christ.”

– Charles Spurgeon –