A Prayer About Opposition

When my faith engenders hostility and antagonism

DEAR JESUS,

Today I was mocked for being your follower, and I was shocked at the hostility. As I was explaining my stance on a specific issue and how I came to that position because of what the Bible teaches, people whom I thought were friends attacked me verbally. Instead of respectfully talking about the topic and my beliefs, they laughed and made disparaging comments about your Word and Christians. You repeatedly told your disciples that they would face strong opposition, including mocking, slander, arrest, and physical harm. They experienced much more pain and suffering for their faith than I probably ever will, yet they faithfully endured and continued to tell others about you. And even now, my brothers and sisters in Christ in many places around the world are encountering extreme persecution. My immediate response to my “persecution” was surprise and hurt, but then I became angry. I know that’s not your way. Please give me the strength to respond with love and grace. And please open my persecutors’ eyes to the truth, to the gospel. They need to know you, too.

God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:11-12