Day 14 - Tuesday, January 14
Donna Palmer
Persecuted Christians

Our fantastic Father, 

We praise Your wisdom and power and Your love for us in Christ Jesus, from which nothing, including persecution, can separate us. 

We ask for special blessing and courage for those who are being physically persecuted. Help them to see the joy set before them as Jesus did when He endured the cross. If it’s Your will, please build a hedge of protection around them. If it’s Your will that they give up their lives on earth, help them to be bold witnesses for You and to see the glory of God and Jesus giving them a standing ovation as He did for Stephen. 

Help those who are persecuted to pray for those who persecute them that they might have an encounter with Jesus, as Paul did, that causes them to repent and become followers of Jesus. 

Father, please also be with those who suffer more subtle forms of persecution, such as ridicule or being thought to lack intelligence. Help them to speak the truth in love and continue to be salt and light even while being ridiculed. 

Our Father, we ask for wisdom to see the benefit of persecution, to know that You are working for our eternal good in everything, including persecution. We thank you for the opportunity to be persecuted for righteousness and to remember Your promise that those who suffer such persecution will receive a great reward in Heaven. 

We are delighted to be Your children, to know that, if You are for us, no one can prevail against us! 

Thank you for your great love and Your presence in our lives.  

May we be faithful unto death and receive the crown of life! 

We pray in the name of Your wonderful Son, our Savior and big brother, Jesus.