International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Why is it, that we only pray for the persecuted church once a year? Or just pray for them one week out of a year? Our brothers and sisters in Christ aren't persecuted only one Sunday out of the year. They are being persecuted on a regular basis and need our prayers.

1 Peter 5:8-9
"{8} Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. {9} Resist him steadfast in faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."

Yet instead of praying for our brotherhood, we selfishly focus on our own lives. We focus on ourselves and pray for ourselves and our immediate family. While our brothers and sisters are being persecuted for Christ's sake.

I openly admit that I forget regularly to pray for them. I'll have things come up and forget. But life is no excuse for lack of prayer. We should be praying to our heavenly Father constantly for Him to strengthen His children. We should plead with Him that He would give them strength to endure. That He would give them the grace they need. And to grow in them in holiness. We should be like Paul in his letter to the church at Colosse.


Colossians 1:3
" We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
praying always for you."


Instead of praying for the persecuted church just today. We should use this day as a stepping stone in order to start praying for our family in Christ always.