CRAIG KRAFT BLOG

A Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Craig Kraft / Thursday, November 2, 2023

 

Canadians experience great freedom of religion compared to so many places in the world. In fact, it is hard for us to think that our brothers and sisters in Christ in other parts of the world are under attack. Churches meet in hiding; believers pray and worship in private; and many live in constant fear of arrest, beatings, or even execution. 

Several years ago, one of our associates was executed while leaving a prayer meeting in Asia. This brought the issue much closer to home for us at Outreach Canada. We continue to pray for the church around the world, especially those facing persecution. 

We want to offer a prayer today and a few suggestions for how to pray for the persecuted church.

Today we offer a prayer, based on Ephesians 3:14-21

A Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Father,

We praise you for every blessing. You are the great Creator of heaven and earth, and all of creation bows to your name and your will. We worship you as our Father, and our God.

We pray, according to the riches of your glory, that you would strengthen your church, especially those who are facing persecution today. We pray that your Spirit would bring power and perseverance to your people as we dwell in your presence, day by day and moment by moment.

We pray, Father, that being rooted in our faith and love for your son, Jesus, that your church will be strengthened to comprehend the immeasurable love you have demonstrated through the gift of Jesus Christ, that we would be filled with the fullness of God - the fullness that enables us to transcend human understanding and submit ourselves to your perfect will.

Father, we pray for those who stand in the face of opposition today. We pray for their protection, and we also pray that their words, appearance, and actions will radiate the love of Christ to their oppressors. And that their faith will bring honor and glory to your name.

We acknowledge your power and wisdom, Father, and we pray for courage and understanding in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Prayer Points for the Persecuted Church

How can you continue to pray for the persecuted church today? Here are some suggestions:

  • Pray for their protection
  • Pray for those who are in prison
  • Pray for those who are experiencing personal persecution
  • Pray for those who have lost their church buildings, homes, or businesses
  • Pray for those who have lost their loved ones
  • Pray for those who are suffering alone
  • Pray scriptures for the church (Acts 16:25, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 10:16-18, 1 Peter 4:12-14 and many others).

What Scriptures are you praying over the persecuted church today?

*This article was originally published in November 2022 and has been updated & republished with permission.


A pastor for 15 years in western Canada, a missionary in southern Africa with Outreach Canada, and the Executive Director at Outreach Canada since 2008, Dr. Craig Kraft is now stepping into the role of “Director for Global Collaboration” for the OC Global Alliance. Craig is a graduate of Northwest Baptist Seminary at ACTS and a graduate of Asia Graduate School of Theology with a Doctor of Intercultural Studies. His study has focused on diaspora missiology in Canada. His dissertation explores the potential for revitalizing Canadian churches through the practice of biblical hospitality with refugees and immigrants. Craig loves to watch sports, work in the yard & spend time in the woods. 





The OC Global Alliance: Our Roots The OC Global Alliance: Our Roots

Outreach Canada is part of a larger global story! Outreach Canada was one of the original foun...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: May 2023 OC Director's Blog: May 2023

In our May Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft, shares about the OC staff retreat ...
Read More..

5 Simple Checks for Discerning the Will of God 5 Simple Checks for Discerning the Will of God

Discerning God’s voice in our world today can be challenging. With so many voices and distractions,...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: April 2023 OC Director's Blog: April 2023

OC Director's Blog - April 2023 Edition. In our April Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Crai...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: March 2023 OC Director's Blog: March 2023

OC Director's Blog - March 2023 Edition. In our March Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Crai...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: February 2023 OC Director's Blog: February 2023

OC Director's Blog - February 2023 Edition. In our February Director's Blog, Executive Directo...
Read More..

Outreach Canada Vision for Ministry in 2023 Outreach Canada Vision for Ministry in 2023

Sharing the OC Ministry Vision for 2023, Dr. Craig Kraft expands on who we are, where we are now an...
Read More..

End of the Year Giving End of the Year Giving

Our impact in Canada and worldwide is growing because of your prayers and investment in OC. In 2022...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: Special Announcement OC Director's Blog: Special Announcement

A special word from our Executive Director, Craig Kraft, and from the Outreach Canada Board. 
Read More..

The Canadian Census The Canadian Census

Every ten years, the Canadian government takes an extensive census of our nation. This research pro...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: November 2022 OC Director's Blog: November 2022

OC Director's Blog - November 2022 Edition In our November Director's blog, our Executive Dire...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: October 2022 OC Director's Blog: October 2022

OC Director's Blog - October 2022 Edition In our October Director's blog, our Executive Direct...
Read More..

Discipling Our Nation Discipling Our Nation

No matter how well the church may have done in the past, the challenge of discipling our nation is ...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: September 2022 OC Director's Blog: September 2022

September 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: August 2022 OC Director's Blog: August 2022

August 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: July 2022 OC Director's Blog: July 2022

July 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

Serving Leaders Globally Serving Leaders Globally

Communication and collaboration in intercultural environments are complex at the best of times, but...
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: June 2022 OC Director's Blog: June 2022

June 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: May 2022 OC Director's Blog: May 2022

May 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Directior, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: April 2022 OC Director's Blog: April 2022

April 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Directior, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

OC Directors Blog: March 2022 OC Director's Blog: March 2022

March 2022 Update from Outreach Canada's Executive Directior, Dr. Craig Kraft. 
Read More..

4 Opportunities for Hospitality: Welcoming Immigrants 4 Opportunities for Hospitality: Welcoming Immigrants

Did you know that in 2022, Canada aims to welcome 431,645 new permanent residents? And over the nex...
Read More..
OC Director's Blog: The Last One from Craig Kraft
This is the last Director's Blog from Executive Director Craig Kraft, before he transitions to his new role as Director for Global Collaboration with the OC Global Alliance. (Have no fear, in this season of transit...
Read more...
A Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Canadians experience great freedom of religion compared to so many places in the world. In fact, it is hard for us to think that our brothers and sisters in Christ in other parts of the world are under attack. Churches ...
Read more...
OC Director's Blog: September 2023 - LeaderSHIFT
Since the beginning of the year, we have been working through a leadership transition at Outreach Canada. After fifteen years as Executive Director, Craig Kraft has moved to a new role as the Director for Global Collabo...
Read more...
The OC Global Alliance: Our Roots
Outreach Canada is part of a larger global story! Outreach Canada was one of the original founding members in the OC Global Alliance (OCGA). Today, the OC Global Alliance has 15 Mobilization Centres around the worl...
Read more...
OC Director's Blog: May 2023
In our May Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft, shares about the OC staff retreat that took place the first week of May. He also shares about the Leader-SHIFT team and reflects on the special commission...
Read more...
5 Simple Checks for Discerning the Will of God
Discerning God’s voice in our world today can be challenging. With so many voices and distractions, how do we discern the will of God in our lives?  Craig Kraft, OC’s Executive Director, shares his personal experiences ...
Read more...
OC Director's Blog: April 2023
OC Director's Blog - April 2023 Edition. In our April Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft, shares about an OC missionary who recently travelled through Asia, helping to start over 300 new micro-churches...
Read more...
OC Director's Blog: March 2023
OC Director's Blog - March 2023 Edition. In our March Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft, shares thoughts on the Asbury Revival, and more details about the upcoming transition, including OC's new Leade...
Read more...
OC Director's Blog: February 2023
OC Director's Blog - February 2023 Edition. In our February Director's Blog, Executive Director, Dr. Craig Kraft, shares thoughts about football and the larger "team" at Outreach Canada. 
Read more...
Outreach Canada Vision for Ministry in 2023
Sharing the OC Ministry Vision for 2023, Dr. Craig Kraft expands on who we are, where we are now and where we are going...
Read more...