One of the questions I often face as a Christian involves why God allows people to suffer– especially “good” people. Why is it that God allows His followers to go through suffering, oppression, and persecution? If He loves us; if He is powerful enough to stop injustice and suffering, why DOESN’T He put an end to it? Why does He allow it to happen? To continue?
I’m not here to provide a definitive answer today. But I will give three possible reasons, and some practical suggestions when praying for those who face persecution.
Jesus said that His followers would face trials and persecution– not because He was powerless to stop it, but because it is part of God’s ultimate plan. In John 16, Jesus is talking to His disciples just before His betrayal. He speaks of betrayal, persecution, and suffering to come– for THEM, as well as Him. And He repeats the phrase, “I have told you these things…” each time with a reason. In verse 1, “..to keep you from stumbling (falling away).” In verse 4..”when the time comes, you will remember (my warnings) …” In verse 25…”I have told these things to you in figures of speech (figuratively/cautiously), but a time is coming when I will tell you plainly…” and in verse 33, “..I have told you these things that in Me you might have peace…” So, we know that even trials and struggles have a purpose in God’s plan, and that one day, we will know the reasons, even if we don’t understand now.
What are some possible reasons? Here are three:
- Persecution/struggle builds strength, perseverance, and faith. It also “weeds out” the weak, faithless, and uncommitted. Churches may grow in number during times of stress and persecution, but they grow deeper and more powerful in times of persecution.
- Enduring persecution baffles bystanders and confuses skeptics. It is the most powerful kind of witness to stand firm in the face of persecution. Many millions have come to Christ because of the faithful witness of the persecuted (and martyred) Church.
- Persecution gives a unique opportunity to show the incredible, lavish, amazing and enduring love of God. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” Romans 12:14. Not only does persecution strengthen the believer and baffle the bystander. It also convicts the persecutor when their cruelty is met with patient endurance and even mercy.
Do these reasons make suffering “easier”? No. But we can find peace, strength, and even growth during seasons of persecution, when we shift our focus from the pain to the promise. God will never leave us. He WILL bring perfect justice and peace in His time. He will use even our worst situations to bring grace, redemption, and glory.
Now, how can we pray for those who face persecution for their faith? We need to pray for God’s will to be done. Of course, we want persecution to stop and those who are being persecuted to be safe, and for justice to prevail. But what does God want? He does not WANT evil to flourish and people to suffer. But His plans and outcomes may include a season of great suffering in order to cause a season of great harvest and ultimate glory. There is no exact “formula” for prayer in the face of suffering, but here are a few suggestions:
- Pray that God will strengthen those who suffer and help them to endure. Pray that they would be encouraged by the Holy Spirit to hold on to hope, to find the “peace that passes understanding”, and to keep their eyes on Jesus, even in the harshest of circumstances. Pray that they would not fall away or compromise but remain true and faithful.
- Pray that Christians will not “return evil for evil.” Christ sent His disciples “into all the world” to make disciples through teaching and witnessing and living like Him. We are NOT to repay or take vengeance on our enemies– God will repay, and He will make all things new and right.
- Pray that others will take notice. Pray that justice will prevail, and that those who see what is happening will be called to consider the truth of the Gospel, and the evil of those who so cruelly oppose it.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of the persecutors. Remember, our real enemy is not flesh and blood, but powers and principalities– not the people who have hurt us, but the Sin that causes them to lash out, rebel against the Truth, and become consumed by hatred, bitterness, and envy.
- Pray that WE will be faithful and not lose hope because of their suffering. Pray also that WE will be prepared to suffer when the time comes, without losing heart or giving in to fear or despair.
- Pray that God will end the persecution in His timing and His mercy, bring healing and restoration, and that His glory will be revealed!
- Pray that we will be reminded of the suffering that Christ endured to redeem all who will accept Him. We can be encouraged to know that we serve a Savior who is familiar with our suffering, and who will never leave us to suffer alone or unseen.
Persecution is not easy or happy. Suffering breaks our hearts. But our prayers should reflect the reality of suffering– that in a fallen world, “there will be trouble.” But we can take heart and carry on because, as Jesus promised, “I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)
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