A Prayer About Persecution

When I sense growing hostility to Christianity

DEAR GOD,

So far in my life with you, I have not suffered much for my faith. I can remember only a few times when someone made fun of me because of my stand for Christ. But I sense that our culture is becoming increasingly hostile to people of faith, especially Jesus followers. Tolerance is promoted as the highest value, but that usually means ABC—anything but Christian. Crosses and other Christian symbols are being removed from monuments, government buildings, businesses, and even cemeteries. Prayer is being purged from public gatherings. And I’ve heard stories of students being punished and people losing their jobs because they dared to share their faith. I can’t help but wonder how I will respond, Lord, to persecution. Will I be ready? Will I react with grace, love, and joy? I want to be your person, God, everywhere. Help me to prepare now for whatever may come in the future. I want to be ready to suffer because of Jesus. I want to live for you and, if necessary, to die for you.

[Jesus said,] “Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.” John 15:20