What practical steps can we take to support persecuted Christians worldwide? Setting the Scene: The Cost of Faith “Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.” (Hebrews 11:36) The great “Hall of Faith” ends by reminding us that some saints paid dearly for their loyalty to Christ. Their stories are not ancient curiosities; they mirror what multitudes face today. Remembering Our Family in Chains • “Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.” (Hebrews 13:3) • “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26) Because we are one body, their hardship becomes our shared calling. Practical Steps We Can Take Today • Stay informed and pray specifically – Subscribe to reliable updates (e.g., Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors) so petitions move beyond “bless the persecuted” to names, locations, court dates, and family needs. – Fast periodically; it sharpens intercession (Acts 13:3). • Give generously – Fund emergency aid, legal defense, trauma counseling, and Bible distribution. – Adopt a project: rebuild a burned church, support widows, sponsor children whose parents are imprisoned. • Write and advocate – Letters to believers behind bars remind them they are not forgotten (2 Timothy 1:16). – Respectful notes to ambassadors or legislators spotlight unjust sentences and can soften outcomes (Proverbs 31:8–9). • Raise awareness wisely – Share vetted stories in small groups, sermons, and on social media, balancing urgency with security concerns. – Host a “Persecuted Church Sunday” using resources that include video testimonies and prayer guides. • Practice hospitable refuge – Partner with local ministries welcoming asylum seekers; help find housing, jobs, language tutors, and church community (Leviticus 19:34 applied today). • Encourage frontline workers – Send voice messages, study materials, or online training to pastors in restricted areas (2 Timothy 4:13). – Provide secure digital tools that protect identity while enabling fellowship. • Stand with them in Scripture distribution – Finance translation work or discreet transport of Bibles and audio Scripture players (Romans 10:17). • Prepare ourselves – Study theology of suffering; it inoculates against surprise (1 Peter 4:12). – Cultivate courage through local evangelism and discipleship; small obediences prime us for larger risks. The Inner Posture That Fuels Action “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, ‘Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,’ but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?” (James 2:15–16) Real faith expresses itself in tangible mercy. Love moves from awareness to action. The Promise That Sustains Us • “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10) • “I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) Supporting persecuted believers declares to the world—and to the powers of darkness—that Christ’s body is indivisible, that Scripture’s promises are trustworthy, and that eternity overrides intimidation. |
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