Praying through 2 ThessaloniaNs 1

 ​A prayer for Church leaders, the persecuted Church,
and for ever-increasing faith and love among all believers .

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4
“To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 
Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren,
as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged,
and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;
therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God
for your perseverance and faith
in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.”

My Prayer
Father, I am so thankful for the family of believers—the local church—I am a part of.  Specifically, New Life Church.  Your leaders at New Life do not passively spectate or let us passively follow.  As Paul, Peter,  and James, your earliest apostles encouraged the Jewish and Gentile followers of the Way to put off what is old, and put on what is new; to ask for wisdom, to be transformed by the renewing of their mind, to use the gifts you’ve given us to grow your Kingdom on earth, to serve each other in love, to walk by faith and not by sight--
so do our leaders/pastors teach us.  

So Lord, empower our pastors and teachers to boldly, and effectively teach us and challenge us. Protect them from the lies of the enemy. Fill them with the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as they, in humility, yield their lives to Your will.

Almighty God, so many in our world who, by faith, are taking their place in your Family, but they are in places that culturally are closed to Jesus, the Gospel, the Christian faith.  They are killed, taken captive; their property is destroyed, and other atrocities we in the United States have difficulty imagining. 

Strengthen each of your beloved children being persecuted for your sake. 
Let them feel your presence near, and know how much you love them. 
Help them have some level of understanding and be confident
in Your Providential care.

For me, if I imagine myself being persecuted and rejected by my culture, family, or government, I know, that, but for any grace you bestow on me in that hour,
I would disappoint you. 
But because I am yours, as the Thessalonians were yours,
as the believers in Sudan or other such places are yours--
Your grace is sufficient, and your power is made perfect in our weakness. 
My job will be to keep my eyes on JESUS. 
The rest You will do.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
“To this end also we pray for you always,
that our God will count you worthy of your calling
and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,
so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified inn you,
and you in Him, according to the grace of our God,
and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Purify your global Church, Father. 
Glorify yourself in and through us. 
May we be deemed worthy of your calling,
and may we, in faith and power,
complete the tasks you give to us until Your day
“when you will be revealed from heaven
with [Your] mighty angels in flaming fire (v. 7b)."   
Amen
 
 Learn more about praying for today's persecuted church at 
VOICE OF THE MARTYRS


ONLINE PRAYER GUIDE BY COUNTRY​
(Learn about prayer needs in every persecuted country)

​ 

Voice of the Martyrs resources

Short video story of Suta

True story of Suta, ​an Indian believer in Jesus who persevered in sharing Jesus with a village that cruelly rejected his message--at first!

Please add your prayers, or prayer requests for the persecuted church in the comments section.