“If One Part Suffers…”
From the comfort of our homes and the peaceful gatherings within the walls of our church buildings on Sunday mornings, we sisters and brothers in Christ may give little thought to the persecuted Church in many other parts of the world. Occasionally, some atrocity committed against Christians in a foreign country may show up in newsfeeds, prompting us to say a quick prayer. But we quickly move on to more palatable stories, perhaps failing to realize in the moment that the people affected are our people.
We pray for “them,” forgetting that “they” are “we” – all members of the flock of God (1 Peter 5:2), the household of God (1 Timothy3:15), and the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).
During his writing on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul weaves into the text the concept of the Church having similarities to the human body. He addresses the interconnectivity of each part of the body, the need to treat more modest parts with dignity, and the essential function of each part. Summing up his analogy, he says, “But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (vs. 24b-26)
How much concern do we have for the other parts of the body? How deeply do we allow ourselves to suffer with them?
While the Western Church lives in relative tranquility, the organization Open Doors reports that one in seven Christians worldwide experiences persecution. Our brothers and sisters have witnessed their church buildings be closed or destroyed. They face arrest, imprisonment, violence, abduction, and murder. They’re economically marginalized so that they’re unable to provide for their families.
And still they trust in the Lord. They cling to His Word and to His faithfulness. They depend on the prayers of the saints for strength. Seldom do we have the opportunity to physically intervene or provide relief. But we can pray. And we should.
I’ve used this prayer guide from Voice of the Martyrs for many years to pray for the persecuted Church. If you’re willing to pray but aren’t sure where to start, this guide may helpful. Remember, “they” are “we.” Let’s lift them up to our Father, praying for His will and His protection, and let’s take action as the Lord provides opportunity.
1. Pray that persecuted believers will sense God’s presence. (Hebrews 13:5)
2. Pray that they will feel connected to the greater Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:20, 26)
3. Pray that they will experience God’s comfort when their family members are killed, injured or imprisoned for their witness. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
4. Pray that they will have more opportunities to share the gospel. (Colossians 4:3)
5. Pray for their boldness to make Christ known. (Philippians 1:14)
6. Pray that they will forgive and love their persecutors. (Matthew 5:44)
7. Pray that their ministry activities will remain undetected by authorities and others who wish to silence them. (Acts 9:25)
8. Pray that they will rejoice in suffering. (Acts 5:41)
9. Pray that they will be refreshed through God’s Word and grow in their faith. (Ephesians 6:17)
10. Pray that they will be strengthened through the prayers of their fellow believers. (Jude 20-25)
