THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

 

This week Southern Baptists observe an emphasis on prayer for the 380 million believers around the world who face persecution and discrimination each day due to their faith in Christ. The number of countries where Christians suffer high and extreme levels of persecution has almost doubled in the last 30 years. Recently, intense suffering by believers in Nigeria has been very much in the headlines. Intense persecution is also taking place in North Korea, India, China and Pakistan, among many others. The persecution takes the form of killings, beatings, wrongful imprisonments, economic, societal and governmental harassment.  When asked what other believers around the world can do for them, persecuted Christians always mention prayer first. Here are some suggested ways to pray for persecuted believers:

Pray that persecuted Christians will understand and find peace in the sufficiency of God’s grace, even in their weaknesses.   (2 Corinthians 12:9)
 
Pray that God would be present with them in their hardship, protecting them according to His will.  (Matthew 26:39)
 
Pray that Christians facing hardship will draw from a source of power larger than themselves.   (2 Corinthians 1:7-9)
 
Pray that whatever their circumstances, God will give persecuted Christians the right words to speak in bearing witness to Jesus.   (Ephesians 6:19-20)
 
Pray their witness would inspire those who seek to harm them.   (Luke 6:27-31)
 
 
 
WEEKLY PRAYER UPDATE –  November 5, 2025
Missions: 
Juan Pablo and Sol Herrera –  Hispanic ministry in Ponder; new class began on Oct. 19
Stephen & Sabrina Marshall –  church planting in France
Capstone Church, Helena, Montana – Caleb Groteluschen, pastor; Ben Quigg, worship leader
Senator Barnes & family –  East Asia Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative for World Ventures
Church:
This week’s worship service, Bible studies, and BodyBuilder groups
Staff search for permanent worship leader
Trunk or Treat follow-up
Spiritual Needs:
Spiritual awakening in our community, in our nation
Salvation -- Those on your "Who's Your One?" list
Praise:
Safe arrival of Addyson Layne Colton, daughter of Evelyn and Matthew; born on Tuesday afternoon
Personal Needs:
Gary Carrington –  having to be treated for MRSA infection again
Shelly Pope –  no longer taking trial treatment for liver cancer; still taking cancer medication
Steve Simpson –  calcified spot on brain; awaiting MRI in November; also has brain bleed likely related to concussion
Gene and Judy Vaughan – pray for physical and mental healing  and mental well-being
Chary Horton – ongoing health issues requiring lots of care
Tim Johnson – doing well at home recovering from hip replacement surgery on Monday, Oct. 20
Donna Nuckels (Don's sister-in-law) – auto-immune disorder caused by Covid vaccine
Justin McClain (Ponder resident) & wife, Maranda & 2 daughters –  continuing cancer treatment
John Frank's new great-niece, Maggie – has completed chemo treatments for cancerous tumors, and they have shrunk enough for her to have surgery to remove them
John Frank's mother, Justine – tumor growth has reappeared; will undergo more treatment
Halle Deaton (25 yr old former member from Krum)   – diagnosed with breast cancer
Those in assisted living/nursing homes:  Barbara Nofziger, Carolyn Gillespie, Mary Alice Benton
Grief:
Lori Kleibrink & family – death of her mother; funeral is Saturday in Flomot, Texas
Debbi Stack, Charlie Williams & families – death of their father, Jack Williams

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