1. God’s Word Commands Us To Pray
The Word of God calls us to remember, honor, and intercede for those who suffer for the name of Jesus. It says in Hebrews 13:3,
3 “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”
In 1 Corinthians 12:24-26, we read that,
24 “…God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
We are one Body—Christ’s Body—and when one member suffers, we are all affected. When we pray, we stand in the gap, just as Jesus intercedes for us.
33 “Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” - Romans 8:33-34
2. Prayer Strengthens our Brothers & Sisters in Faith
Persecuted believers often ask for prayer, as the Apostle Paul did—not always for deliverance from trials and persecution, but for boldness, strength, and faithfulness to proclaim the Gospel in the midst of fiery opposition.
We find in Ephesians 6, after exhorting the church in Ephesus to put on the full armor of God, that they may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (v.13), Apostle Paul clearly instructs them in verses 18-20 to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” and to,
“Keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Our prayers uphold and empower our persecuted family in faith in the Spirit, strengthening their hearts in the face of danger and reminding them that they are not alone. When we pray, we get to ask God to pour out His sufficient grace, strength, and endurance on those facing persecution. We get to intercede for them to remain faithful witnesses, filled with the Spirit, so they can continue to proclaim the Gospel as ambassadors of Christ, even in hostile environments. Our prayers help carry their burdens and support the spread of God’s Kingdom in dark places.
3. Intercession Invites God's Power & Presence in the Midst of Any Battle
Prayer is not a last resort; it is a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare. When we cry out to the Lord on behalf of His people, our God responds. The Lord hears the faith-filled prayers His saints abiding in Him. When we pray together, the Lord is among us as He promised in Matthew 18:19- 20:
9 “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
The Bible assures us that,
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” - James 5:16
Our prayers don’t fall on blind eyes or deaf ears—our God sees, hears, and acts when His people intercede on behalf of His sons and daughters in need.
The Lord our God is mighty to save, sustain, and supply all that is needed in the spiritual battle for souls and truth.
4. Prayer Unites Us with the Global Body of Christ in Love
We are part of one spiritual family in Jesus, as it says in 1 Corinthians 12:12,
12 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”
Prayer bridges borders and languages, connecting us to brothers and sisters who face unimaginable challenges. When we pray, we practice unity in Christ and respond to the call to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, [and] weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).
As we pray for the persecuted, we get to reflect the love of Christ, who laid down His life for the Church, His Bride. Prayer and intercession bind us together across cultures and continents, reminding us that we belong to God’s eternal, covenant family, a global family bought by the blood of Jesus. In love for our brothers and sisters, we care so much that we weep with those who weep, and we rejoice when they stand firm and persevere in Christ.
5. Prayer for the Persecuted Awakens Us to the Cost of Discipleship
Persecuted believers choose Christ over comfort, safety, and even life itself. Praying for the persecuted reminds us of the cost of discipleship. They risk everything for the sake of knowing Christ our Savior and making Him known. Their courage and devotion to the Lord challenge us to live with boldness in our own walk with God. Praying for them keeps their faith-filled lives and testimonies fresh in our hearts and stirs us to a more courageous, uncompromising faith.
When we pray for those who risk everything to follow Jesus, we are stirred to examine our own lives. Their faith amid persecution challenges our complacency, ignites gratitude, and compels us to live with deeper devotion, humility, and boldness in our own contexts and personal mission fields.
6. Those Risking It All to Follow Christ Simply Seek Prayer
Something I’ve learned by regularly listening to testimonies from persecuted believers, is that their primary request of the global or Western Church is not for safety, escape, or comfort—it’s for our prayers. Their humble plea should grip our hearts and awaken us to the power of our prayers in faith. If they are willing to suffer and die for the Gospel, can we not commit to lifting them up regularly before the throne of grace? Our prayers from afar truly do make an impact on the ground, in the hearts and spirits of our brothers and sisters in need.
Hearing their prayer requests entails that we engage with those facing opposition for their faith, or those representing them. Listening to their stories and praying tends to wake us up from apathy and comfort-seeking, prompting us to live more surrendered lives. It helps us prioritize the eternal over the temporary and align our hearts with God's purposes as He works through His Bride to reach the world.
7. Prayer Builds the Kingdom and Glorifies God
When we pray for the persecuted, we join in God’s redemptive mission. We get to ask Him to strengthen His witnesses, spread His Gospel, and shine His light in dark places. Through prayer, God not only responds to supply their needs, but also inspires and builds our faith and intimacy with Him. As Christ is lifted up through their lives and testimonies, God is glorified and the Kingdom advances—even in hostile territory. Through prayer, we get to play an active role in the work of God across the nations. We get to come alongside our family in faith and seek God’s will for them and their persecutors, knowing our God is able and willing to take action. What an awesome privilege.
I pray that God would powerfully use this post to inspire you to pray and cultivate a rich prayer life with the Lord.
There’s no better time to pray than now! Feel free to pause and to pray.
Thank you for being apart of this LIFE ON MISSION community. I am so glad you’re here and trust you are continuing to cultivate a faith-filled, God-fearing, Christ-centered perspective and lifestyle with Jesus.
Are you interested in hearing more testimonies from the frontlines, from those risking it all to follow Jesus and make Him known? I’ve been greatly encouraged by Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) Radio and RAW Mission. Their podcasts are linked here.
If you were blessed by this LIFE ON MISSION with TANNER KLEIN post and encouraged to pray, please share it with a friend. Spread the word. We need to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters and we get to partner with God at work in the world through prayer! Let’s go!
Finally, this LIFE ON MISSION with TANNER KLEIN podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Click these links to listen or copy them to share with a friend, family member, neighbor, or colleague.
May our great God bless you and inspire you to ask, seek, knock, and keep praying!
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