Several years ago, a member of my prayer group gave everyone in the group a handout from the website, Voice of the Martyrs. The handout provided one month of prayer requests for people living in lands where Christians suffer intense persecution for their faith.
I was delighted to receive this information. The knowledge that my brothers and sisters in Christ are being mistreated and suffering injustice for no other reason than their Christian faith is heartbreaking. To receive specific, targeted prayer requests was encouraging. Here was something I could do for these dear souls – I could pray for them.
For the next few years, I prayed over those requests, one a day for a month, then started over the next month. Eventually, though, I looked for a similar handout from Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) because some of the requests were so specific, they were possibly outdated after a period of years.
A Fresh Approach
I was unable to find anything similar on the VOM website, so I continued with the prayer requests I had. But I checked again recently and found a very functional and helpful guide. (See it here.) I used it for a few weeks, but it’s not presented in the daily format of my previous prayer guide. Since the number of prayer prompts are too numerous to do justice to every day, I need those day-of-the-month indicators to keep me from losing my place from day to day.
And so, I have used those prayer requests, all based on Scripture, to write one prayer a day. I have tried to make sure I emphasized the needs expressed in each request, but if you choose to use this prayer guide, you can probably do better. In your prayer time, please, freely expand on these petitions as the Lord leads you.
Actually, I ran out of days before I ran out of prayer requests. There was a handful unused at the end of 31 days. My plan is to locate additional appropriate Scriptures to use as a basis for more prayers, then add another month. Not sure when I’ll get it done, but it’s in the works.
Praying for the Soldiers on the Front Lines
My one misgiving in writing this blog is my fear that my prayers may sound patronizing or pitying. The fact is that most of these prayers could just as appropriately be prayed for any believer anywhere in the world. All of us have very similar needs; however, the needs of our precious brothers and sisters who live in lands darkened by persecution tend to be more severe and more urgent.
That urgency doesn’t make the persecuted church less worthy or less important than anyone else. In my opinion, it makes them more worthy and more admirable. They are the soldiers at the forefront of spiritual warfare in our world. And, as a matter of fact, you may be one of those courageous soldiers. If so, please refer to the second download; it is written for you. I changed the pronouns from third person (they, them) to first person (we, us) to make it appropriate for your use.
The following prayers are based mainly on the King James Version of the Bible. At the end, you will find two downloadable versions of the prayers in case you would like to print out one or both of them. The first version is designed for those who are not part of the persecuted church. The second version is for those who face ridicule or hatred or legal threats or physical harm in their daily lives, a group that is growing larger and larger as the “times of the Gentiles” draw to a close.
1 – Dear Lord God, Thank You for Your promise never to leave us. Please help Your children who deal with persecution to abide in this precious promise and to sense Your constant presence. May Your love surround them as a shield and protect their hearts from fear and anxiety. Remind them that wherever they go, You are with them and will provide for their needs. Let Your peace fill their souls with comfort and grant them the courage to stand firm in faith, trusting that You are in control. Fill them with joy and hope as they walk through this life with You, relying on You and Your promises.
In Jesus’ holy name I pray, Amen.
Hebrews 13:5-6
2 – Heavenly Father, Thank You for making every believer in Jesus Christ part of Your family. As I consider the many Christians throughout the world who suffer for their faith, keep me aware that we are all united as one Body in Jesus Christ our Lord. Help all of us to remember that although physical distance separates us, our spiritual oneness binds us together and nothing can ever break this bond. May all my precious brothers and sisters in Christ sense the love, prayers, and unity of the Church every day of their lives. Give the Body of Christ opportunities to show love and support to those who are persecuted for their faith, knowing that when one part of the body suffers, every other part suffers with it.
In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.
I Corinthians 12:20, 26
3 – Holy Father God, It grieves my heart to realize that Your children are being killed, injured, or imprisoned for their faith every day. Thank You that suffering is not meaningless nor forgotten. May Your comfort bring peace to the family members of these martyrs and assure them that one day justice will be done. Fill them with the fortitude to keep trusting You and relying on Your promises, no matter what comes their way. Be with the persecuted church around the world and grant them grace and courage to endure whatever loss and hardships they face.
In Jesus’ worthy name, Amen.
II Corinthians 1:3-5
4 – Gracious Lord, I come before You with faith in Your goodness. Please open doors for Christians around the world to have opportunities to tell of Your glory, grace, and mercy, even in lands where they are persecuted for their faith. Fill them with boldness to share their stories, and let their boldness be a source of hope and encouragement to their fellow believers. I pray that You will use their testimonies to draw others closer to You and to bring lost souls into Your Kingdom.
In Jesus’ glorious name, Amen.
Colossians 4:3
5 – Precious Lord, I pray that You will give Your children in every nation and every circumstance the courage to boldly share our faith in Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is dangerous to speak the name of Jesus or to resist evil. Empower Your people with great courage in those situations. Replace doubt and fear with anointed confidence. May their words be wise and compelling, convicting lost souls of their sins and leading them to life abundant and eternal in Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ wonderful name I pray, Amen.
Philippians 1:14
6 – Loving Father, I pray that You will be the Gentle Shepherd to all Christians who face persecution in their lives. Grant them peaceful rest and lead them in paths of righteousness. May they always trust in Your provision and presence even when they walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Let them know that You are with them no matter what comes their way, and grant them the courage to follow You wherever You lead. May they always find comfort in Your loving embrace. Restore their souls, and fill them with Your peace that passes understanding.
In Jesus’ beloved name, Amen.
Psalm 23
7 – Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, I pray that You would open the hearts of Christians around the world so that we will choose to support persecuted believers with Bibles. Remind us that we all need to hear Your truth in order to grow in our faith and that it is only in Your Word that we can find hope when life is difficult. May more people join in this cause and be propelled by Your love to provide Bibles to those who have none.* Guide us in our efforts to meet this need and fill us with compassion for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.
In Jesus’ gracious name, Amen.
Psalm 119:41-43
8 – Gracious God of Comfort, I pray that You will fill the hearts of persecuted Christians with Your Word every moment of the day. May they remember reassuring verses from Scripture when their faith becomes weak and, thus, gain hope from Your promises. Give them the wisdom to stand on Your Word in difficult times and the courage to stand up for what is right no matter the cost. Renew their spirits and fill them with peace, even in the face of persecution, as they remember Your powerful promises.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Psalm 119:49-56
9 – Majestic Lord of Hosts, I ask You to bring justice to a world filled with injustice. Give every Christian the courage and wisdom to stand up against oppression and to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. Keep Your children who live in dark lands safe from the wicked; protect them from violence; and reveal hidden snares in their paths. May they trust in Your perfect plans, even when faced with hardship and persecution. Help them always to remember that Your will prevails in the end, and Your Kingdom will triumph.
In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.
Psalm 140
10 – Jehovah-Shalom, God of Peace, please grant strength to all Christians who suffer persecution for their faith. May they patiently endure the trials and tribulations that come their way and experience Your peace and joy no matter what circumstances they encounter. Enable them to remain faithful in their love for You, even when faced with threats and intimidation. May they walk daily in the true peace that comes only from You. And may they ever remember that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
In Jesus’ worthy name, Amen.
Matthew 5:10
11 – Lord, our Redeemer, please give persecuted Christians the courage to love and forgive those who wrong them. Fill them with Your perfect love so that Your love will shine out of them to others and be an example of grace in an unjust world. Enable them to tap into Your power to forgive in these difficult times of adversity and to refrain from thoughts of retaliation, hatred, or vengeance. May everything they do and say help build Your Kingdom and bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.
Matthew 5:43-48
12 – Lord God of all Wisdom and Knowledge, I pray that You will give persecuted Christians the right words to say when faced with governing authorities. Put in their mouths the exact words that will infuse light and hope and redemption into the situation. May their speech be wise and gracious, honoring You at all times. With every word they speak, enable them to rely on Your wisdom and trust in Your guidance, knowing that You will not leave them defenseless, but will speak through them in order to accomplish Your Kingdom purposes.
In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Matthew 10:19
13 – Almighty God and Creator of the Universe, I pray that when persecution increases against Your children, You will inspire supernatural boldness in their hearts and minds. Grant them the courage and strength to stand tall in the face of opposition. May they take heart and proclaim Your name without fear or shame, trusting in Your power to protect them. Enable them to use their trials as stepping stones for growth, knowing that they have chosen to side with the One – the only One – who has the power to shake the very foundations of the Earth.
In Jesus’ majestic name, Amen.
Acts 4:29-31
14 – Lord God, our Rock, I pray that You will grant persecuted Christians the courage and determination to stand firm in their faith when they encounter hatred and hostility. May they draw strength from Your in-dwelling Spirit and be inspired by the example of Peter and the other apostles, risking everything to obey You, as their valiant declaration rings out: “We ought to obey God rather than men!” In every circumstance, enable them to continue trusting in Your guidance, knowing that You are ever as close to them as their own heartbeat.
In Jesus’ victorious name, Amen.
Acts 5:29
15 – Great God, our Savior, I know that even today there are people who breathe out threatenings and slaughter against Your people, just as Saul, the persecutor did. But on the road to Damascus, You knocked Saul off his feet and transformed him into the apostle Paul. You can do the same thing today in the hearts of unbelievers. Grant those who oppress Your children the same kind of repentance and salvation as Paul experienced. Help them to understand Your all-encompassing grace and mercy, so they will have the courage to turn away from evil. Enable them to find peace in Your presence through the new-found humility in their hearts that always accompanies salvation.
In Jesus’ magnificent name, Amen.
Acts 9:1-19
16 – Glorious Lord, Please help Your people, wherever we may be around the world, to recognize that nothing else matters more than fully knowing You and sharing You with others. I ask that You would strengthen and encourage everyone who suffers persecution for their faith in Christ. Grant them courage to remain firm in their faith and wisdom to know how to respond in every situation. I pray that Your children who have been wronged or hurt are being restored from the inside out by Your healing presence. Give them the stamina to remain faithful in their mission, and ignite in us a passion for making disciples of all nations.
In Jesus’ worthy name, Amen.
Acts 20:24
17 – El Shaddai, Almighty God, thank You for the power of the Gospel to bring salvation to those who love You and to bring judgment on those who hate You. I pray that my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who suffer persecution for their faith, will never be ashamed of the Gospel. Let them find courage in You as they boldly declare Your Word and trust in its power to accomplish Your Kingdom purposes.
In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen.
Romans 1:16
18 – Father of Lights, it is the joy of the Church to know that we are heirs with Christ and that Your Spirit is alive in us, helping us stand firm in the face of every affliction. I pray for my brothers and sisters who suffer injustice and mistreatment because of their faith. Help them cling to the hope they have in You, knowing that one day they will inherit eternal life. Give them comfort and courage that surpasses human understanding, so they can remain firm in their faith through all the difficult times.
In Jesus’ faithful name, Amen.
Romans 8:15-17
19 – Omniscient Lord, You have instructed Your followers to bless those who persecute us and to overcome evil with good. Many of my brothers and sisters may feel overwhelmed by the persecution and the evil that surround their lives. I pray that Your peace will indwell them and empower them to demonstrate Your kindness and grace in everything they do. Help them to remain focused on showing unconditional love and gentleness to their persecutors so those lost souls will be drawn to You. Help Your children who dwell in dark lands be the shining torches that light up the wondrous miracle of life in Christ.
In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Romans 12:14, 21
20 – Eternal God, too often we hear of Your children being martyred for their faith. Every one of those dear souls has family members who are devastated by their loss. I pray for the heart- broken relatives and friends whose loved ones have been snatched away too soon. Be their comfort. Be their strength. Be their song. Help them cling to the joy of knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ has conquered death and there will be a glorious reunion one day. In the meantime, I pray that these dear bereaved brothers and sisters will find rich comfort as they continue steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in Your work, rejoicing that their labor for You is never in vain.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
I Corinthians 15:50-58
21 – Majestic Lord, according to Your Word, we can be assured that as our sufferings for Christ overflow, Your comfort will be more than enough to console us. I pray for all my brothers and sisters in Christ who face persecution for their faith. Help them to find refuge and refreshment in You, knowing You are always with them, even in their darkest moments. As You fill them with Your comfort, I pray they will continue to stand firm in faith and light the way for everyone around them.
In Jesus’ glorious name, Amen.
II Corinthians 1:5
22 – Father God, our Great Physician, I pray for all those who suffer from physical pain and trials, as they devote themselves to Your work. Strengthen them. Energize them. Be their healer, and guard their health. Raise up prayer warriors who will stand in the gap for them. Grant Your suffering children the stamina to endure each day and to keep pressing forward, trusting in You for deliverance. Help them to see Your faithfulness, even in the darkest hour, and to cling to You for hope. May Your peace and joy ever fill their hearts because they sense Your presence with them now, and because they know a glorious future awaits them in eternity.
In Jesus’ healing name I pray, Amen.
II Corinthians 1:8-11
23 – Lord God, the Living Logos, in II Corinthians 4 we are reminded to fix our eyes on things that are eternal. I pray for all believers who suffer persecution for their faith. Help them to keep their focus on You and not be discouraged by the suffering of themselves and others. Give them courage and hope as they remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that You are their deliverer. Remind them every day that the things they see are only temporary and that things eternal are not visible to their mortal eyes. May they give You all honor and glory for Your gracious power that keeps them strong in the face of adversity.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
II Corinthians 4
24 – God of Grace, all Your children understand that salvation is a free gift of Your grace, purchased for us by the death of Your Son on a cruel cross. But the forces of darkness and evil would have unbelievers hurl the accusation that conversions are coerced or forced. Father, I ask You to silence lying spirits and allow lost souls to recognize that all Your gifts are given freely because of Your love. Open the hearts and minds of unbelievers to the Good News of salvation in Jesus. May they respond in faith and be saved.
In Jesus’ immortal name I pray, Amen.
Ephesians 2:8-9
25 – King of kings and Lord of lords, You have made it clear in Your Word that we are engaged in a great cosmic war. Your children who live under conditions of persecution experience that warfare daily. I pray that You will enlighten them to understand their armor and prompt them to wear it constantly – namely, truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the sword of Your Word. Then, as they go forth in the confidence of fully-armored soldiers, empower them to lovingly and boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Help them to remain steadfast in their witness and to not grow weary in their labor for You. May their faithfulness bring honor and glory to You.
In the supreme name of Jesus, Amen.
Ephesians 6:13-20
26 – Glorious Creator God, I acknowledge that none of us are put on Earth to achieve glory for ourselves. In fact, such glory is worse than useless – the apostle Paul would call it “dung.” No, we are here to do Kingdom work for You and to bring glory to You. Help Your dear children who live under conditions of persecution not to feel alone and worthless. Help them to understand that they have important work to do for You and abundant opportunities to bring You glory. And help them to realize with rejoicing that, although they endure unfair difficulties and sorrows, they also have unique opportunities. Reveal to them how their circumstances allow them to deepen their relationship with You as they experience the power of Christ’s resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering, even being made conformable to His death.
I ask it in Jesus’ eternal name, Amen.
Philippians 3:7-10
27 – Jehovah-Shalom, Lord our Peace, You have instructed us to bring our requests to You and trust that You will give us peace beyond comprehension. I pray for believers who live in areas where they suffer persecution because of their faith. Fill their hearts with Your unfathomable peace as they bring their needs before You, confident that You care for them. I pray that You will give them an attitude of constant rejoicing, free of anxiety, because they have turned their needs over to You with thanksgiving, and they know You are trustworthy.
In Jesus’ sacred name, Amen.
Philippians 4:4-7
28 – Lord God, our Deliverer, some of Your children are in prison for no other reason than their faith in Jesus Christ. Lord, I pray for their deliverance from bondage. Perhaps Your deliverance will be an open prison door, but perhaps it will be a task so compelling they will forget where they are. Put the words in their mouths that will clearly share Your Gospel with those around them. Enable them to speak boldly and courageously about how You have blessed their lives. Protect them and provide for them, even in prison. Help them to remain steadfast in their faith and to not grow weary in their labor for You. I pray You give them a prison ministry so productive the evil one will rue the day he sent them there. May all glory and honor go to You, as they proclaim Your grace wherever they are.
In Jesus’ blessed name, Amen.
Colossians 4:2-3
29 – Omnipotent Lord, there are some countries on this planet where people are cruelly persecuted and even executed because they choose to love and serve You. And yet, even in those lands, many people choose You to be their Lord and Savior. And they do so for only one reason – You defeated death! You alone have the power and the tender joy of resurrecting Your children. Dear Father, all of us dread for our loved ones to be taken from us, and in some dark lands, dear ones may suffer death unjustly at young ages. But no one and nothing can take from us the assurance and the joy of knowing we will see them again. Please comfort every bereaved heart with glorious visions of our loved ones in the arms of Jesus.
I ask it in His precious name, Amen.
I Thessalonians 4:15-18
30 – Dear God, Father to every child, I pray that all Christian parents will faithfully teach their children Your Word. But I know that in lands where Your people are persecuted for their faith, parents have extra concerns – they have to help their little ones overcome fear and understand why they should practice a dangerous faith. Father, I pray that You will empower Godly parents to model a life of courage and vision. And I ask You to give them an anointed ability to teach Your Word in purity and power. Grant children who live in dark lands supernatural courage and understanding. I pray they will develop an unwavering commitment to You and Your Word as they grow, and will one day rejoice in a ministry of their own.
In Jesus’ victorious name, Amen.
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 and II Timothy 1:5
31 – God of Miracles, You have told us in Your Word that we must not neglect our regular meetings. In some lands, it is dangerous for Christians to hold services. I pray You will help them understand how important it is for them to meet regularly, so they can encourage each other and provoke one another unto love and good works. Guide them to safe, adequate meeting places. And, Lord, I ask that You will even do miracles of invisibility in their behalf when You see fit. Protect and sanctify these precious church services in dark lands, and remind the rest of us how blest we are to be free to meet whenever we choose.
In Jesus’ glorious name, Amen.
Hebrews 10:23-25
* Voice of the Martyrs includes a Bible distribution ministry. If you’re interested in donating through their website, here’s the link.
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