Jesus promised afflictions for his followers: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” Paul reiterated: “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” This has been the experience of Christians from the earliest days of the church, and has continued in one corner of the world or another for 2000 years. This message was preached in 2013 on the International Day of Prayer in honor of our persecuted brethren.