Why It’s Important To Be Prepared For Persecution
I know we’ve talked a lot about persecution in the last few weeks, and I understand that no one likes to think about it, let alone talk about it.
But if it was important enough for Jesus to inform us, we must pay attention.
Why do you think Jesus told His followers to be prepared for persecution?
I went to a Christian Grade School where Biblical truths were taught daily. We memorized verses and learned about the successes and failures of sinful people like you and me.
Most importantly, we were told about God’s love for us and how He showed us that love through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.
One of the lessons we were taught included a question that challenged me and made me uncomfortable…
Is your faith strong enough to face torture or death rather than deny Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
It was something our faith-filled teachers wanted us to think about. It was only 20 years after Jews and Christians had died for their faith during WWII, and many of our parents’ generation had fought in that war.
It wasn’t a hypothetical question for them, they knew it could happen.
Jesus said it would…
“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.”
John 16:1–4
Remember, Jesus had just told them…
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”
John 15:18
The enemy of our souls has always used whatever means necessary to deter and defeat God’s people. So, it shouldn’t surprise us when followers of Jesus are threatened and/or persecuted for their faith.
But we don’t need to be frightened, the Lord is with us…
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.
Ephesians 3:16
We prepare, by holding on to promises like…
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
Romans 8:35, 37
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And…
Have you never heard?
Isaiah 40:28–29
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of His understanding.
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
No one likes to think about being prepared for persecution, but we can count on God’s promises to give us the power and strength we need when we need it.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Be Prepared for Persecution
Father God, I don’t like thinking about persecution. Those of us who live in the United States have been blessed with the freedom to praise and worship You openly as we desire. But that’s not true around the world. Many of Your children are suffering and dying for proclaiming Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
We live in a sinful world. Jesus said we would suffer for loving and trusting Him. Thank you for wanting us to be prepared. Thank you for promising to give us the power and strength we need to face whatever the enemy uses to harm us.
You not only understand the challenges I face, You experienced them. Thank you for allowing me to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST You. Thank you for giving me the gift of faith. Thank you for blessing me to live where I can freely share my faith with others.
Father, I pray for the millions of people who are being persecuted today. Please give them everything they need, especially Your provision and protection. And through Your Spirit, please prompt me to faithfully spend time in Your Word and prayer and live every day full of Your love, blessed with unwavering faith.
In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.
As hard as it is for you and me to think about, it was imperative to Jesus that His followers would be prepared for persecution.
Open Doors is a ministry that began in 1955, when a young Dutchman started smuggling Bibles to the persecuted Christians in Communist Europe.
Their homepage states that there are currently 380 million Christians around the world suffering high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.
In the face of persecution, Jesus wanted us to be prepared and confident that His Spirit would faithfully give all who believe in Him everything they need to remain faithful.
Remember, Jesus said…
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27
And Paul wrote…
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13
So, let’s be prepared for persecution. Not worried and afraid. God willing, we will not have to face it personally. But if we do, we can trust that the Lord, through the power of the Spirit, will give us everything we need.
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Praying with you for all Christians in the world today that are being persecuted for their faith, Deb. May God always give them the courage and strength they need. Blessings!
Amen, Martha! Blessings!
I thank you for this word of wisdom encouragement, and knowledge it really resonated in my spirit
Thank you, Keisha! I’m glad it encouraged you. God bless you!
Being made aware of the people who are being persecuted for the sake of their faith in Jesus is something we all need. It is so easy for us living here in the US because we do have the freedom of religion. It is so hard to imagine how others are treated and tortured because of being a Christian. I am thankful that you wrote this post. It will keep in my mind to constantly pray for those folks.
It also reminds me of the abundant blessings that we have in our lives and in living in this beautiful United States of America! May God bless you Deb, with safety and good health. Prayers for you for a blessed week, sweet friend.
I know, Sue. When you think of the parts of the world where people have to gather together in secret, it’s sad. Asking God to protect His children wherever they live. God be with you and bless you, dear friend!