Weekly Watch Focus: God's Supernatural Shield Over Persecuted Christians Worldwide

FRIDAY, February 17, 2017—The persecution of Christians continues to increase across the world, especially in the Middle East and in Africa. In 2016, the violent killing of Christians increased by 62% in Nigeria alone, where many Christians have been martyred and churches burned. The U.S. Government and other Western leaders have largely remained silent as this religious cleansing of Christians continues in the Islamic world. Pray that with the installation of President Trump on January 20, 2017, there will be a change in the U.S. government—with more help released for persecuted Christians worldwide. Praise God for the Hungarian government who have expressed major commitment to combat persecution of Christians globally. May many other governments join them in this resolve.

Please pray for our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters. Pray for angelic protection. Pray for the thousands of displaced Christians and other ethnic groups sheltering in refugee camps. Pray for those who give assistance and care in these refugee centers. Pray for the missionaries, pastors, priests and families of these leaders who are working to save, comfort, and shepherd their flock in these dangerous circumstances. Pray for the many Christians who are in prison for their faith. Ask that once again God will stretch forth His hand to heal and deliver these nations from the oppressor.

Matt. 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Rom. 8:36-37, “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

2 Cor. 12:10, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Rev. 6:9-10, “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?'”

Deut. 20:4, “For the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”

Isaiah 60:1, “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”

Ps. 91:5,6, “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.”

Ps. 27:2-5, “When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident. One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.”