Praying for the Persecuted Church

Introduction

Good morning, stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.

Matthew 5:10–12 NASB95

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you

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TODAY, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU BRIEFLY ABOUT THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

WE WILL THEN SPEND TIME PRAYING FOR THE GLOBAL CHURCH TODAY.

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FIRST, CONSIDER WHAT THE LORD PROMISES TO HIS FAITHFUL CHURCH.

John 15:18–21 NASB95

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.

1 Peter 4:12–14 NASB95

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

HERE IS THE SIMPLE POINT! PERSECUTION WILL COME WHEN THE CHURCH IS HOLY AND VOCAL THAT JESUS ALONE IS KING AND LORD!

Yes even here in the USA.

Satan has had no need to fight the American church. We have been in bed with the world.

As revival spreads, as old and new Christians stand up for truth and boldly proclaim Jesus, the world will attack.

compare the state of the American church to the first Church in the book of Acts.

Acts 17:2–7 NASB95

2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. 5 But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. 6 When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”

OH, LORD JESUS LET US BE SO OVERWHELMED WITH THE SPIRIT WE ARE ACCUSED OF TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN.

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STATSTICS OF THE WORLD PERSECUTION AGAINST JESUS.

2025 Statistics of persecution against Jesus in Nigera.

Over 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria as of August 2025.

An average of 32-35 deaths a day.

Those who are doing the killing are Muslim para military.

100 churches burnt a month in 2025

19,00 churches burnt sense 2009

ASIA -

2024 - 4,476 murders of Christians in Asia.

House churches in China are being persecuted

Pastors are being hunted by the governments in China

India is killing and locking Christians up using their anti-conversion laws.

Myanmar military are even shelling Christian gehtos - picture.

Canada and the USA -

33 Churches in Canada have been burned down from 2021-2024

430 attacks on churches in the USA in 2023 alone - Arson, Vadelism, etc.

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GLOBAL NUMBERS

4,476 Christians were killed in 2024 for being Christians.

That number is expected to double for the year 2025.

380 Million Christians suffer high levels of persecution globally for being Christian.

The largest persecuted group in the world are Christians.

1 in 7 Christians are persecuted world wide for their faith

1 in 5 Christians are persecuted in Africa.

2 in 5 Christians are persecuted in Asia.

7,760 Churches were burned down in 2024

4,744 Christians were imprisioned for their faith in 2024

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I AM GOING TO SHOW A SHORT VIDEO AND THEN WE WILL PRAY.

Those I have asked to pray please come up after the video.

Worship team come up and be ready to play some as we pray together.

Show video