Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Pray for Those Who Inflict
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Persecution has been a persistent reality for the followers of Christ since the inception of the Church. The New Testament provides numerous accounts and teachings regarding the suffering of the saints and the appropriate response to such trials. A key aspect of this response is the call to pray for those who persecute believers, reflecting the transformative power of Christian love and forgiveness.

Biblical Foundation

The call to pray for persecutors is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). This radical command challenges believers to transcend natural inclinations of retaliation and instead embody the love of Christ, who Himself prayed for His executioners, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his epistle to the Romans: "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14). Paul, who experienced significant persecution throughout his ministry, understood the power of prayer and blessing in the face of hostility. His life and writings serve as a testament to the transformative impact of responding to persecution with grace and intercession.

Historical Context

Throughout history, Christians have faced persecution in various forms, from social ostracism to physical violence. The early Church, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, encountered severe opposition from both Jewish and Roman authorities. Despite these challenges, the early Christians remained steadfast in their faith, often praying for their persecutors and seeking their conversion.

The martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, exemplifies this response. As he was being stoned, Stephen prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). His prayer reflects a profound trust in God's justice and mercy, as well as a desire for the spiritual well-being of his aggressors.

Theological Implications

Praying for persecutors is not merely an act of obedience but a profound expression of the Gospel's transformative power. It acknowledges the sovereignty of God in all circumstances and the potential for redemption in every individual. By praying for those who inflict suffering, believers participate in the redemptive mission of Christ, who came "to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).

This practice also serves to guard the hearts of believers against bitterness and hatred, fostering a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. It aligns the sufferer's heart with the heart of Christ, who calls His followers to be peacemakers and ambassadors of His love.

Practical Application

In contemporary settings, Christians continue to face persecution in various forms, from subtle discrimination to overt violence. The call to pray for persecutors remains relevant and vital. Believers are encouraged to intercede for their oppressors, asking God to reveal His truth and love to them, and to grant them repentance and salvation.

Church communities can support one another in this endeavor by fostering environments of prayer and encouragement, sharing testimonies of God's faithfulness amidst trials, and equipping members with biblical teachings on persecution and forgiveness.

In conclusion, the biblical mandate to pray for those who persecute is a powerful testament to the transformative nature of the Christian faith. It challenges believers to rise above the natural response to suffering and to embody the love and grace of Christ in a world often marked by hostility and division.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Saints' Rest is not to be Expected on Earth.
... to die, that we may possess the saints' rest. ... What makes apostates in suffering times
forsake the truth ... of unrooted faith wither before the beat of persecution? ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter x the saints rest.htm

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Paul's Care and Prayer for the ...
... these words: "My preaching and my suffering are for ... Let them accept persecution as
a good indication, regarding ... many gods, has invoked many saints, is because ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/sixteenth sunday after trinity pauls.htm

Martyrdom of the Holy Confessors Shamuna, Guria, and Habib, from ...
... was not theirs, or that others were suffering and they ... So he, taking the saints out
at night by the ... had appointed governor of Edessa, a persecution was again ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents martyrdom of 2.htm

Second Sunday after Easter
... manner of torture and distress upon Christ and his saints as upon ... and not revile;
you must thank God for persecution and pray ... CHRIST OUR EXAMPLE IN SUFFERING. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after easter.htm

Psalm VII.
... Christian ages, when as yet the saints were oppressed ... He is long-suffering; who did
not immediately, after ... those from whom they suffered persecution, and fiery ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm vii.htm

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely ...
... indeed sometimes to flee, and the saints sometimes fled ... excellent rule, that in time
of persecution do not ... patient but yet courageous way of suffering made the ...
/.../proposition xiv concerning the power.htm

Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
... verse of Psalm 4, which comforts saints and strengthens ... For wherein can persecution
harm if you strive for ... regardless of cost and boast of suffering a little ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fifth sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Sunday after Ascension Day
... Church, even while undergoing great persecution, is apparent ... of singular and intolerant
saints who would ... if response must entail any suffering and forbearance ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after ascension day.htm

A Canticle of Love
... there is no fruitfulness without suffering"either physical ... reading the lives of the
Saints, we ought ... the genius of their authors"we should rather consider ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm

The Joint Heirs and their Divine Portion
... fain do without"it is the inheritance of suffering. ... You must endure persecution;
but then, remember, he will be ... Know ye not that the saints shall judge the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the joint heirs and their.htm

Resources
If I convert to Christianity, my family will disown me, and I will be persecuted. Should I follow Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake? | GotQuestions.org

What is Novatianism? | GotQuestions.org

Persecution: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Persecution

Persecution is Inconsistent With the Spirit of the Gospel

Persecution is Sometimes to Death

Persecution of Abel

Persecution of Antipas

Persecution of Daniel

Persecution of David

Persecution of Elijah

Persecution of Elisha

Persecution of Gideon

Persecution of Hanani

Persecution of James

Persecution of Jeremiah

Persecution of Jesus

Persecution of Job

Persecution of John

Persecution of John the Baptist

Persecution of Lazarus

Persecution of Lot

Persecution of Micaiah

Persecution of Moses

Persecution of Prophets

Persecution of Prophets Martyred by Jezebel

Persecution of Saints, is a Persecution of Christ

Persecution of Simon

Persecution of Stephen

Persecution of the Apostles

Persecution of the Congregation at Smyrna

Persecution of the Disciples

Persecution of the Ekklesia (Body of Christ)

Persecution of the Jews

Persecution of the Righteous

Persecution of the Righteous: A Mode of Divine Chastisement

Persecution of the Righteous: Deliverance From

Persecution of the Righteous: Diffuses the Gospel

Persecution of the Three Hebrew Young Men (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego) of the Captivity

Persecution of Timothy

Persecution of Urijah

Persecution of Zachariah

Persecution: All That Live Godly in Christ, Shall Suffer

Persecution: Blessedness of Enduring, for Christ's Sake

Persecution: Cannot Separated from Christ

Persecution: Christ Suffered

Persecution: Christ Voluntarily Submitted To

Persecution: Christ Was Patient Under

Persecution: False Teachers Shrink From

Persecution: God Delivers out of

Persecution: God Forsakes not his Saints Under

Persecution: Hypocrites Cannot Endure

Persecution: Lawful Means May be Used to Escape

Persecution: Men by Nature Addicted To

Persecution: Originates: Hated to God and Christ

Persecution: Originates: Hatred to the Gospel

Persecution: Originates: Ignorance of God and Christ

Persecution: Originates: Mistaken Zeal

Persecution: Originates: Pride

Persecution: Pray for Those Suffering

Persecution: Preacher of the Gospel Subject To

Persecution: Saints May Expect

Persecution: Saints Suffer, for the Sake of God

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Commit Themselves to God

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Exhibit Patience

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Glorify God

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Pray for Deliverance

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Pray for Those Who Inflict

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Rejoice

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Return Blessing For

Persecution: Spirit of Chaldeans

Persecution: Spirit of Gentiles

Persecution: Spirit of Herod

Persecution: Spirit of Jews

Persecution: Spirit of Jezebel

Persecution: Spirit of Paul

Persecution: Spirit of Pharaoh

Persecution: Spirit of Pharisees

Persecution: Spirit of Saul

Persecution: Spirit of Zedekiah

Persecution: Suffering of Apostles

Persecution: Suffering of Daniel

Persecution: Suffering of David

Persecution: Suffering of Hebrews

Persecution: Suffering of Jeremiah

Persecution: Suffering of Micaiah

Persecution: Suffering of Paul and Barnabas

Persecution: Suffering of Paul and Silas

Persecution: Suffering of Peter

Persecution: Suffering of Saints of Old

Persecution: Suffering of The Church

Persecution: Suffering of The Prophets

Persecution: The Hope of Future Blessedness Supports Under

Persecution: The Wicked: Active In

Persecution: The Wicked: Addicted To

Persecution: The Wicked: Encourage Each Other In

Persecution: The Wicked: Illustrated

Persecution: The Wicked: Punishment For

Persecution: The Wicked: Rejoice in Its Success

Related Terms

Phygellus (1 Occurrence)

Phygelus (1 Occurrence)

Tribulation (43 Occurrences)

Lystra (6 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)

Apostolic (2 Occurrences)

Witchcraft (8 Occurrences)

Testaments

Endure (90 Occurrences)

Witch (2 Occurrences)

Between (2624 Occurrences)

Offended (26 Occurrences)

Onesiphorus (2 Occurrences)

Justus (3 Occurrences)

Within (400 Occurrences)

Firm (111 Occurrences)

Temporary (13 Occurrences)

Rome (12 Occurrences)

Dispersed (28 Occurrences)

Driven (128 Occurrences)

Arises (21 Occurrences)

Ariseth (20 Occurrences)

Stumbled (47 Occurrences)

Short (128 Occurrences)

Nero

Alexandria (4 Occurrences)

Affliction (120 Occurrences)

Suffering (104 Occurrences)

Root (54 Occurrences)

Message (222 Occurrences)

Manasseh (140 Occurrences)

Account (460 Occurrences)

Derbe (4 Occurrences)

Broke (153 Occurrences)

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)

Age (404 Occurrences)

Straightway (96 Occurrences)

Immediately (141 Occurrences)

Josiah (51 Occurrences)

Region (96 Occurrences)

Persecuting (14 Occurrences)

Philip (37 Occurrences)

Timothy (28 Occurrences)

Elijah (104 Occurrences)

Judith (1 Occurrence)

Suffer (195 Occurrences)

Subapostolic

Sub-apostolic

Simon (75 Occurrences)

Mark (182 Occurrences)

Sermon (1 Occurrence)

Peter (181 Occurrences)

Yet (1244 Occurrences)

Victor's (4 Occurrences)

Various (52 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Nakedness (50 Occurrences)

Urged (44 Occurrences)

Upper (99 Occurrences)

Obadiah (21 Occurrences)

Offense (44 Occurrences)

Overthrown (44 Occurrences)

Olves

Jeremiah (141 Occurrences)

Jehoiachin (20 Occurrences)

Joyful (83 Occurrences)

Jabneh (1 Occurrence)

James (40 Occurrences)

Jabneel (2 Occurrences)

Leading (101 Occurrences)

Lasts (9 Occurrences)

Gentlewomen (3 Occurrences)

Goods (231 Occurrences)

Godly (50 Occurrences)

Word's (3 Occurrences)

Worshipped (81 Occurrences)

Wreath (21 Occurrences)

Influenced (2 Occurrences)

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Pray for Deliverance
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