“It is great to know that even more churches will be following Scripture’s command to ‘Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body’ (Hebrews 13:3),” Nettleton told Baptist Press, “on the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians.”
Prayer is a key aspect of the VOM’s multifaceted ministry that has served persecuted Christians globally for more than 55 years. Nettleton points to several reasons, including Scripture, why prayer is a VOM hallmark.
“We’re commanded to remember those in prison, and we’re told that when one part of the body of Christ suffers, other parts are supposed to feel that pain. Secondly, prayer is the first thing our persecuted brothers and sisters ask us to do for them,” Nettleton said. “And finally, I think it’s important to remember that our prayers make a difference.
“When we pray, it makes a difference in encouraging those in the midst of persecution. It makes a difference in government leaders’ and courts’ decisions about our brothers and sisters. Prayer for persecuted Christians is a vital activity that every church and every Christian should be a part of.”
VOM offers prayer resources here, including a global prayer guide.
Christian persecution is considered one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. Globally, someone dies for their faith every two minutes, IMB said.
More than 360 million Christians serve Jesus amid high persecution because of their faith, religious freedom advocate Open Doors said in its 2022 World Watch List. Among countries where Christians face the greatest persecution are Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran and India, Open Doors said. She Loves Out Loud registration is still available for home-hosted groups, although individual church registration has closed. Home groups may register here.
This article originally appeared here.
