Courage from God in the midst of persecution

The Midst Of Persecution: Courage is often seen as a personal attribute, a strength of character that allows a person to face danger, fear, or difficult challenges. Some people draw courage from their faith, believing that it is a gift from a higher power. In the Christian tradition, God is often seen as the source of all strength and courage, and believers may pray for the courage to face their challenges or recite Bible verses that encourage bravery. Ultimately, where a person finds the courage to face life’s difficulties will depend on their individual beliefs and experiences.

Persecution: Courage from a religious perspective often refers to the inner strength and fortitude given by a higher power, such as God, to face challenges and difficulties in life. It is believed that this courage comes from one’s faith and trust in the divine, and can provide comfort and encouragement in times of need. This idea is present in many different religions and spiritual traditions, and is often seen as a source of hope and inspiration for individuals facing difficult circumstances.

The phrase “the midst of persecution” refers to a situation in which an individual or group is being actively persecuted, harassed, or subjected to harm or violence due to their beliefs, actions, or identity. Persecution can take many forms, including physical violence, imprisonment, discrimination, and social ostracism. Those who are in the midst of persecution may experience fear, anxiety, and a sense of helplessness, but may also find strength and resilience in their community and their own beliefs.


persecution

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“The LORD of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with sling-stones. They will drink and roar as with wine. ”

— Zechariah 9:15

Recently, a believer in our community and a friend were hiking in nearby mountains. Suddenly, they met Taliban fighters and were abducted. After about half an hour, they realized they would not make it out alive so they prayed and asked Jesus to help them.

Persecution: Immediately, the believer and his friend had the courage to fight back. Like David and Goliath from the Bible, they grabbed nearby stones and threw them at the gunmen. They fought and wrestled their attackers, resulting in one being stabbed and the other being shot.

With God’s help, they managed to run away from their abductors and down the mountain, finding a police checkpoint and transportation to a hospital for medical treatment.

As they look back on this life-threatening situation, the men are praising God for how Jesus gave them the courage to fight back in that dangerous moment. For all things are possible through Christ, who strengthens us in times of need and trouble.


PRAY WITH US

Join in prayer for the persecuted church through the lens of this tension- Revival in the Middle East! Rather than praying for escape from trouble, use these passages and prayer points to pray for believers risking their lives daily to see God’s kingdom expanded.

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“The LORD hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. ”

— Psalm 34:17

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“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. ”

— Ephesians 6:10

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. ”

— Deuteronomy 31:6

Prayer Points:

  • For God to continue to give our disciple makers His courage and endurance when faced with danger, persecution, and threats.

  • For our disciple makers to continue to keep their eyes on the Lord and obey Him in all they do and to read His word faithfully everyday.

  • For the Lord to continue to watch over our disciple makers and their families in the Middle East, who are seeking to bring His Kingdom come in restricted nations.


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We believe the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are inspired by God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Peter 1:21)

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent who has revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Luke 3:22)

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for us, in His present rule as Head of the Church, and in His personal return in power and glory. (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31)

We believe in the creation of mankind in God’s image, and the fall of man, resulting in universal guilt and total depravity; and the necessity, therefore, of redemption and restoration; that all men and women are lost spiritually and face the judgment of God, that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, and that repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for regeneration by the Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:17)

We believe salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life. (Luke 24:47, John 3:3)

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved unto the resurrection of eternal life in the presence of our Lord, and the lost unto the resurrection of damnation and eternal punishment. (Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43-48)

We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ and that all true believers are members of His body, the Church, which has the duty to preach the Gospel to every person. (Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 2:22)

We believe that we must dedicate ourselves to prayer, to the service of our Lord, to His authority over our lives, and to the ministry of teaching, preaching, the prophetic, the apostolic, and evangelism. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

We believe in upholding the ordinances of the church of water baptism and holy communion.

The ordinance of baptism by immersion is commanded by the Scriptures. All who repent and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus, they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 10:47,48, Romans 6:4)

The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements—bread and the fruit of the vine—, is the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4), a memorial of His suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26), and is enjoined on all believers “till He comes!”