This is our second week in our month long prayer for the persecuted church in Muslim dominated countries. Last week we prayed for Love, Joy, and Peace. This week, we will focus on the fruits of Forbearance and Faithfulness. Forbearance is also translated as Patience.
Lord, give our brothers and sisters the patience to endure the persecution they face. The battle to live victoriously in You can be difficult. Strengthen those who continue to serve you faithfully, despite their trials and struggles.
Our brothers in Indonesia are in need of Your patience. “Must we accept persecution or must we retaliate? We are tired of forgiving just to be attacked again. It is time to defend the honor of God. What must we do?” They are frustrated, Lord. They need Your patience and Your peace. Help Christians to “turn the other cheek” instead of seeking revenge.
Jesus, help us all to remain faithful. Our fellow Christians are facing persecution. Give them the strength to remain faithful despite all the odds. Holy Spirit, fill Christians with the faithfulness to share Your Word, with Muslims in particular, regardless of their circumstances. For those that are able to read their Bible daily, give them the desire to constantly read Your Word. Give us all the desire to loudly proclaim Your Word. Help us to be faithful in representing You with our words, our actions, and our desires. Let us be faithful in reaching out to others, even those that persecute Christians. After all, Paul was once a persecutor. He became a huge voice for You. Help us to be the same. Help us to be like Ananias, who helped Saul in his conversion to Paul. Let us be Your instrument. Give our persecuted brothers and sisters a heaping dose of the fruit of faithfulness so that they may reach out to those that persecute them.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
