12 Reasons to Support the Persecuted Church

1. Astounding rewards! Isaiah 58:10 (read whole chapter for more!) (NKJV)

If you extend your soul to the hungry

And satisfy the afflicted soul,

Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,

And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

2. Important recipient! Matthew 25:44-45 (NKJV)

“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’”

3. Your turn is coming! (Right?) 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV)

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

4. “They” did! Acts 12:5 (NASB)

So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.

5. Support ‘family’ first! Galatians 6:10 (NKJV)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

6. You live in a body too! Hebrews 13:3 (NKJV)

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

7. Impacted prayer life! Acts 4:23-31 (NASB)

When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord… And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

8. It’s a privilege! 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 (NIV)

Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

9. God gets glory! 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NIV)

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

10. You get prayer! 2 Corinthians 9:14 (NIV)

And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

11. You get encouraged! Philippians 1:14 (NASB)

Most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

12. We’re connected! 1 Corinthians 12:26 (NKJV)

And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is November 8 this year.

For free IDOP downloads, visit:

www.persecution.com/idop

www.idop.org

For more ideas on designing an IDOP segment for your November 8^th service, or if you would like a VOM speaker to come to your Sunday School class, Bible study, or worship service, please contact me.