Introduction
Christians are imprisoned, threatened or denied their rights because of their faith, and you may be wondering how to support them from far away. This page gathers fifteen prayers addressed to God, to pray alone, as a family, in a prayer group or during the service. They are sorted by need, followed by verses to nourish your prayer and advice to keep interceding week after week. Read them aloud, change a word if you like, or keep them as a starting point.
Prayers for Christians Imprisoned or Mistreated for Their Faith
The letter to the Hebrews asks us to remember prisoners as if we were sharing their cell. When you pray, stay with simple needs: protection, comfort, freedom.
"Lord, you know every brother and sister locked up today because of their faith in you. Be near them in the silence of their cells. Guard their hearts from despair and remind them that you have not forgotten them."
"Father, for those who are beaten or insulted because of your name, we ask you to ease their pain, heal their wounds and give them real moments of rest. You see what no one else sees."
"Lord Jesus, you were arrested, tried and condemned although you were innocent. You understand better than we do what a prisoner of faith goes through. Stay beside them, speak to their hearts and be their strength during every interrogation."
"God of justice, we pray for those waiting for a verdict, for release, or simply for news of their loved ones. Open the doors that must open, and give them patience for the ones that remain closed."
Prayers for Families, Children and Churches Meeting in Secret
Think of those who are left outside while a loved one is held, and of communities that meet in hushed voices. Think especially of the children, some of whom grow up in anxiety.
"Father, we entrust to you the wives, husbands and children of those who are held because of their faith. Provide for their table and their rent, comfort them in their tears, and place on their path brothers and sisters who will surround them."
"Lord, watch over the children who learn to stay silent to protect their family. Do not let fear become their home. Grow in them a simple trust in you, and keep their hearts tender."
"Faithful God, churches gather in hushed voices behind closed shutters, with a single copy of the Bible for everyone. Gather them safely, keep their singing quiet and their faith alive. Give their leaders wisdom and prudence."
"Lord, bless every small group that prays, reads your word and shares the bread quietly. Even though they are few, they matter to you. Give them joy, faithfulness and sincere love for one another."
Prayers for Courage, Faithfulness and Forgiveness Toward Persecutors
Jesus asked us to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). These prayers do not seek revenge. They ask for faithfulness for believers and a transformed heart for those who do them harm.
"Lord, give your persecuted children a courage that does not come from themselves. When fear rises, remind them of your presence. When they are pressed to deny their faith, keep them faithful, with gentleness, without pride and without hatred."
"Father, we do not always know how to pray for those who make your children suffer. So we entrust them to you. Touch their conscience, open their eyes, and change their hearts as you changed ours."
"Jesus, you forgave those who crucified you. Teach wounded believers not to nurse bitterness. When forgiveness comes, may it be a witness to your grace and bring them peace."
"Lord, also keep our hearts from growing hard, here where we are at peace. May our prayer for the persecuted Church not be a duty rushed through, but a surge of love, free from anger against any people or any nation."
Short Prayers to Read at Church for Persecuted Christians
Many churches set aside a Sunday each year to pray for their persecuted brothers and sisters. These three prayers can each be read in under a minute, by the person leading prayer or by several voices.
"Lord, this morning we pray for our brothers and sisters who suffer because of your name. We do not see them, but you see them. Strengthen them, comfort them, and let them feel that the whole Church is praying with them."
"Father, we are gathered here freely, and we do not want to forget it. Awaken in us gratitude, and the desire to carry those who cannot gather. Make our prayer a true support for them."
"God of all comfort, receive our prayers for those who weep, those who wait, and those who hold on. Keep your Church alive where it is fragile, and may your peace surround them today."
Verses to Pray for the Persecuted Church
These verses comfort those who suffer and guide your prayer. Read one aloud before you pray.
Hebrews 13:3
"Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body."
The letter to the Hebrews asks every believer to remember prisoners and those who are mistreated, as though their situation were their own. Your prayer then becomes a concrete way to share their lot, even from very far away. Read all of Hebrews 13.
Matthew 5:10-12
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. “Blessed are you when people reproach you, 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 that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Jesus speaks to his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount. He does not hide that faithfulness can cost dearly, but he links this suffering to joy and to a reward in heaven. Pray that those who go through it will remember this. Read all of Matthew 5.
Romans 8:35-37
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
This passage lists very hard trials, including persecution, and affirms that nothing separates the believer from the love of Christ. The text says that believers are "more than conquerors" through the one who loved them. Ask that this certainty hold firm in them. Read all of Romans 8.
1 Peter 4:12-13
"Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy."
This letter is written to believers going through a furnace. It invites them not to be surprised by the trial and to see in it a share in Christ's sufferings. Pray that this hope will sustain them, even in the middle of their tears. Read all of 1 Peter 4.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;"
These lines describe a believer pressed on every side, struck down, persecuted, but never abandoned. They give you words to pray: ask that those who live through this situation feel that God does not let them go. Read all of 2 Corinthians 4.
How to Pray for the Persecuted Church Over Time
Inform yourself from reliable sources rather than relying on rumors or the messages circulating on social media. A right prayer starts from verified facts, and you avoid passing on exaggerated news that could harm the people you want to support.
Pray for concrete needs: the protection of a family, the health of a prisoner, access to a Bible, a fair trial, a meal, a roof over their heads. The more specific your request, the easier it is to carry it every day and to give thanks when things move.
Pray also for those who persecute. Ask that their hearts would change, that their view of Christians would soften, and that the truth would reach them. This prayer protects your own heart from anger, and it follows what Jesus taught his disciples.
Persevere. One emotional evening is not enough: set a simple rhythm, for example a few minutes each week, alone, as a family or at the end of your church's prayer meeting. The faithfulness of your prayer matters more than its intensity.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pray for persecuted Christians?
Start by informing yourself from reliable sources, then pray for specific needs: protection, comfort, freedom, faithfulness. Also include those who persecute in your prayer. You can do this alone, as a family or in a group, with simple words. What matters is consistency more than length.
What does the Bible say about the persecution of Christians?
The Bible does not treat it as a taboo. Jesus announces that his disciples may be persecuted because of him, the letter to the Romans affirms that nothing separates them from his love, and the letter to the Hebrews asks us to remember prisoners. It also invites us to pray for those who persecute.
Should you pray for those who persecute Christians?
Yes, it is a direct request from Jesus. Praying for them does not justify their actions or cancel justice: you ask God to transform their hearts, and you protect your own heart from hatred. You can pray at the same time for the victims and for the perpetrators.
How do you pray for the persecuted Church during a service?
Plan five to ten minutes. A leader sets the topic in a few reliable sentences, reads one or two prayers from this page, then leaves a time of silence. You can invite the congregation to pray quietly in small groups, and close with a short prayer for those who persecute.