Kingdom Minded: The Call to Pray for the Persecuted Church (Fletcher Bowman)

In a world where comfort often shields us from the harsh realities faced by our fellow believers, we're called to open our eyes to the persecution of Christians worldwide. The staggering statistic that 1 in 7 Christians faces persecution reminds us of our duty to stand in solidarity with those suffering for their faith. Hebrews 13:3 challenges us to remember those in prison as if we were there ourselves, urging us to cultivate empathy and take action through prayer. This message isn't just about awareness; it's a call to spiritual warfare on behalf of our brothers and sisters. As we reflect on Jesus' words in John 15:18-19, we're reminded that persecution is not just a possibility but an expectation for those who follow Christ. How can we, in our relative comfort, truly embody the unity of the body of Christ as described in 1 Corinthians 12:26? Let's challenge ourselves to make regular intercession, education, and involvement our response to this global crisis, trusting in the power of prayer to bring comfort, encouragement, and even miraculous deliverance to those on the front lines of faith.