DCLM Higher Everyday 12 February 2023 — Praying for the persecuted
DCLM Higher Everyday 12 February 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Praying for the persecuted
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TOPIC: PRAYING FOR THE PERSECUTED
TEXT: 2 Timothy 3:10-13.
11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Memory Verse: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
MESSAGE:
Persecuted people are those who are treated cruelly and unfairly, especially because of their beliefs. Since the beginning of Christendom, the Church has been under various forms of persecution, from mild to fierce. The early Church went through it. And so, it is today in many places.
The worldly will persecute the godly because they hate righteousness.
According to Henry, “It is better to incur the world’s hatred by testifying against its wickedness than gain its goodwill by going down the stream with it.” All believers must be daily ready to suffer persecution. Our text highlights persecution of the saints. So, the persecuted need our prayers for God’s intervention and for them to endure persecutions triumphantly.
Jesus said, “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…” (John15:20). My friend, what do you do when persecuted? Pray for yourself and the persecutors. You must endure in faith and if necessary, flee elsewhere to continue God’s work. Persecuted saints need prayers from believers to overcome. Remember, the Early Church prayed for imprisoned Peter and God delivered Him. Identify Christians under persecution and pray for them.
Quote: Persecuted saints need prayers
Challenge: Pray for the persecuted to stand fast.
Prayer: Almighty God, help me to pray for a persecuted soul today.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
