But the more [the Israelites] were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly.

- Exodus 1:12-13

Evil plans always eventually backfire.

Pharaoh decided to enslave the Israelites because he feared their numbers and he was too proud to let them relocate. He pressed and pressed and pressed them. And his plan backfired.

Evil plans always (eventually) spiral out of control. And they do a lot of damage in the process.

All over the world, men and women are coming up with evil plans to persecute God’s people. Arrests and executions. Mob violence. Honor killings.

Just a few weeks ago we asked you to pray for Christians in Niger, where we’ve heard reports of church buildings being burned, pastors being attacked and congregations being threatened. How do you pray when evil is making a direct frontal assault on our family in Christ around the globe?

Here are four ideas that can help you pray for the persecuted church:

1) Pray that plans for evil and destruction would backfire. That the witness and power of the church would “multiply and grow” in spite of the plans of evil for destruction.

2) Pray that the church would endure through the pain. Pray specifically today for strength to endure for those in prisons, for those in hiding or on the run, and for those who live under the constant threat of possible persecution.

3) Pray that the church would continue growing even in the face of persecution. Pray that the power and glory of Christ would be so powerfully put on display in the midst of trials that even those that persecute the church would be convinced of the goodness of the gospel.

4) Pray that the church would be spared even more pain. That the Lord of Hosts might unleash his hosts of angelic armies to drive back evil and grant his people relief.

Would you take a few minutes right now to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted?