Prayer for the Persecuted

Heavenly Father,

I come to You as Your servant on behalf of those who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ around the world. I desire to intercede for those who are too weak or too oppressed to pray for themselves. I lift these up to You as those who have been bought with the precious Blood of Jesus Christ. I appeal to You on behalf of the New and Everlasting Covenant of grace. I come boldly to Your throne of grace to obtain mercy and to find grace and favor for the persecuted in the Body of Christ. It is my trust and confidence that Jesus as High Priest also intercedes and that the Holy Spirit will help me make this appeal.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men shall revile and persecute and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5.3-12)

Holy Father, let these as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul, having their conversation honest among the Gentiles, that, whereas they speak against them as evildoers, they may by their good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Let these submit themselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king, as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing these may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, as free, and not using their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Let these honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king. (1 Peter 2.11-17) Your Word says that this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. "For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? But if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." (1 Peter 2.19, 20)

Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth, who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judges righteously, who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes we were healed. (1 Peter 2.21-24)

Let these be all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be merciful, courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing; knowing that we are thereunto called, that we should inherit a blessing. Who is the one that will harm us, if we be followers of that which is good? But and if we suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are we, and not afraid of their terror, neither troubled, but sanctifying the Lord God in our hearts, and ready always to give an answer to every one that asks a reason of the hope that is in us with meekness and fear, having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of us, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse our good conversation in Christ. "For it is better if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." (1 Peter 3.8, 9, 13-18)

Let these not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try them and us, as though some strange thing happened: but rejoice inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ's suffering; that, when His glory shall be revealed, we may be glad also, with exceeding joy. If we be reproached for the name of Christ, we are happy, for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon us, on their part He is evil spoken of, but on our part He is glorified. But let none of us suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any one suffer as a Christian, let that one not be ashamed, but let that one glorify God on this behalf. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4.12-16, 19)

Let these for whom I pray humble themselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt them in due time, casting all their care upon Him, for He cares for them. Let them be sober and vigilant, because the adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, You say, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in the brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that we have suffered a while, make us perfect, establish, strengthen, settle us. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5.8-11)

Father, persecutions, afflictions, come. Cause the persecuted to endure, for all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3.11, 12) Let the Lord stand with these persecuted and strengthen them that by them the preaching might be fully known and that all the Gentiles might hear. Deliver them out of the mouth of the lion, deliver them from every evil work and preserve them unto Your heavenly kingdom to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4.17, 18)

Father, I pray that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified and that those suffering persecution might be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, for all have not faith, but the Lord is faithful, who shall establish them and keep them from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3.1-3)

Father, believers can do all things through Christ which strengthens them. (Philippians 4.13) This shall turn to their salvation through our prayers, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Let them not be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also let Christ be magnified in their body, whether it be by life, or by death, for to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1.19-21)

Let these for whom I pray give no offense in any thing that the ministry be not blamed, but in all things approving themselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, they live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6.3-10)

This treasure is in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us, but life in others. We believe, and therefore speak, knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with the brethren that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4.7-18)

Of these it is true that they are pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that they despair even of life; but they have the sentence of death in themselves, that they should not trust in themselves, but in God, which raises the dead: who delivers them from so great a death, and does deliver, in whom we trust that He will yet deliver. (2 Corinthians 1.8-11)

You have said: Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men….Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12.9-21)

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

P. S. I also lift up to You, Heavenly Father, the following Psalms: 10, 35, 56, 64, 69, 91, 109, 124, and Psalms 140-150. Please guide me to any other portions of Your Word that You want me to bring before You that You might do all Your good pleasure according to Your heart, mind, and will. I am Your servant. I give You this vessel that You might intercede according to all Your desire.