“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Eph 6:18-20 (NIV) 

Across our world Christians seriously suffer for their faith in Jesus. This year alone we have heard accounts from Myanmar of Christian sisters and brothers losing liberty, property, life. From the “World Watch List” compiled by Open Doors, this is true for too many. 1 in 8 Christians worldwide are persecuted for following Jesus. This equates to more than 340 million Christians. In the face of such staggering numbers what can we do? Many things, such as advocacy, financial support, partnership with Mission agencies. And do not forget prayer. While people are out of our reach, they are not beyond God’s. 

When Paul was in jail in Rome, beyond the reach of the church, he asked for their prayers. He needed their prayers. He asked for strength, courage, opportunity, capacity. Paul wrote later to Timothy how when facing the Roman court, alone: 

“the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth” 2 Tim 4:17 

God heard his people’s prayers and answered. 

We can stand with persecuted people in prayer. Participate in the “International Day of Prayer” for the persecuted. Be informed in prayer by taking a prayer book or registering for information at https://www.opendoors.org.au/ 

In Him, 

Jason