The first Sunday of November is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (November 2nd this year). I must confess, suffering for Jesus is not something I like to think about. Yet hardships and persecution are repeatedly brough up in the New Testament as a reality that believers will face.

Why should pastors remind their congregations about the persecuted church? Here are a few reasons:

1. 1. These are our brothers and sisters suffering. We have been commanded to love one another (John 15:17). The least we can do is pray for our persecuted siblings as we would want them to pray for us if the situation was reversed.
   2. Persecution is not rare. Be it murder of believers in Nigeria by Boko Haram, the imprisonment under socialist dictatorships, or the arrest of a woman in England for praying silently, persecution is the norm, not the exception among Christians around the world.
   3. The American church is not immune to persecution. We have seen this violently demonstrated recently. If we are devoted Christians walking in obedience to Jesus, the world will hate us (John 15:19). As ministry leaders we should strengthen our churches so that they are prepared to respond in a godly way.
   4. There is a godly response to persecution. Jesus prayed for his murders on the cross (Luke 23:24), as did Stephen (Acts 7:60). Recently Erika Kirk said very publicly of her husband’s assassin, “I forgive him.” Responses like this do not come naturally, and it is good to talk about them with our congregations, because some day we might be the ones who need to extend forgiveness.

If you are looking for ways to discuss the persecuted church, the Voice of the Martyrs has great resources. Additionally, this Crossway article has 10 Key Bible verses that teach us about persecution.

As November 2 nd approaches, please consider reminding your congregations about the suffering of our brothers and sisters, and pray for them.

Blessings,
Dave Bliss