Our face is the primary feature that identifies us. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “face” as “the most meaningful surface.”

Every face that we encounter represents someone’s history and background. It reflects the characteristics of that person’s biological parents. It reminds us that this individual is someone’s brother or sister, son or daughter, mother or father. A face may tell us if this person has had a hard day or a rough life, or what he or she is feeling. It may communicate the person’s age, health and even who he or she does or does not spend time with.

As Moses came down from Mount Sinai after meeting with the Lord, it is recorded that his face shone, so much that Aaron and the children of Israel were afraid (Exodus 34:30). Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who endured years of prison and solitary confinement under the Communist regime in Romania, emerged from his sentence not with a countenance reflecting despair or hopelessness, but with joy. His face shone, because in the dark, cold, lonely and crude cells, he met with the Lord.

God was and still is present in the most hostile environments worldwide. He is everywhere, as the psalmist penned, “If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You” (Psalm 139:8,12a). Prison was not the end for Pastor Wurmbrand. In the “hell” of his prison cell, he met with God, as have many persecuted Christians throughout church history.

In the Soviet Union, Aida Skripnikova was imprisoned four times for her witness. She entered prison a young, beautiful woman, but left with a face and body reflecting the harsh conditions she endured. Yet as she left prison, her face shone.

The Voice of the Martyrs presents the “most meaningful surface” of the persecuted Body of Christ — their faces, representing a human life with a story, a family…someone’s brother, sister, son, daughter, mother or father…experiences of heartache and victory, mourning and joy.

As you read their stories, spend extra time looking at their faces. Cut out or photocopy the photographs and place them on your refrigerator or in your Bible, bringing their faces into your prayers. As you lift up requests for that person and his or her country, ask that despite opposition and persecution he or she will remain close to the Lord, leaving His presence with a shining face so that others — even their persecutors — will see and come to know Christ.

Some Christians refuse to listen to the stories of the persecuted church. From the physical perspective, they say such stories are depressing. Descriptions of persecution are disturbing, but that’s only one side of the story. The other is their spiritual victory — their willingness to suffer rather than deny the lover of their souls, Jesus Christ. The side of their story that we embrace affects how we pray for them.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul exhorted them to “remember my chains” (Colossians 4:18). Chains are not a pleasant thing to meditate on or pray about (Hebrews 13:3). However, neither is the cross nor the crown of thorns nor the nails that pierced Christ’s body. But again, that’s only one side of the story. The other side is eternity with and restoration through Christ — what glory!

In Philippians 3:10, the apostle Paul wrote about the power of Christ’s resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings in the same sentence. The two concepts are not contradictory; they are complementary. We cannot have his resurrection without his suffering.

When Jesus addressed the multitudes in the Sermon on the Mount, he related, “But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” He was challenging them to return good for evil. But perhaps Jesus was also using this illustration to challenge us to change our focus, to turn our gaze? The Greek phrase “to turn” means to “turn quite around or reverse.” Just a few verses later, Christ said, “and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” When we shift our focus from the physical things on earth to the “things above” (Colossians 3:2), how does that affect our perspective, and ultimately, how we pray for others, especially those who wish to harm us because we believe in Jesus?

Our prayers can reflect either the “depressing” circumstances that our persecuted family faces in the world, or the “overcoming” victories that they win on behalf of the kingdom. We can pray that while our brothers and sisters are in prison, God will empower them to advance his kingdom. We can pray that their persecutors will fall on their faces in awe of the glory of God. We can pray that as believers sit in a cold, dark cell, they will sing praises to their Christ — “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!” We can pray believers will increase in boldness when their house church leaders are imprisoned.

Which side are you taking in your prayers? The fearful, physical side? Or the victorious, overcoming side? And which side of the story are you telling others?

In Luke 7, Simon invited an “honoured guest” into his home — Jesus Christ. While Jesus was at Simon’s home, a woman entered the room and began to weep, pouring an alabaster flask of fragrant oil on Jesus’ feet and wiping them with her hair.

Watching the exchange, Simon said to himself that if Jesus really was a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman was at his feet, and in turn, he would put her in her place. But Jesus responded with a parable — the creditor and two debtors, one of whom owed more. Both were forgiven of their debts. Yet, the one with the greater debt naturally loved the creditor more.

Then Jesus turned to the woman and then to Simon and said, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head." (Luke 7:44) Jesus went on to rebuke Simon because he did not offer his “honoured guest” a kiss or oil for his head.

Every month you invite “guests” into your home — the stories of the persecuted Body of Christ in VOM’s monthly newsletter. Their overcoming testimonies wash the feet of our souls, giving us a fresh perspective. This fresh perspective is fragrant oil on our heads, initially causing some relative discomfort to our Western lifestyles but in the long run bringing new life.

This cloud of witnesses wets our cheeks with a welcome kiss of gratitude, giving us a renewed vigour to embrace what trials God, out of His divine sovereignty, has allowed in our lives, be it a chronic illness, a conflict-ridden relationship, a rebellious child or bearing no child at all.

The world and some religious leaders look upon such guests, our persecuted family, as worthless, a detriment to their agendas and reputations, much like Simon looked upon the woman at Jesus’ feet. In reality, our persecuted brothers and sisters hold the key to inestimable riches that can be unearthed through suffering.

Out of gratitude we return such gestures by washing the feet of our persecuted family with our prayers, our tears, the fragrant aroma of Christ within us, thanking God for their role in the Body of Christ. These faithful brothers and sisters keep our motives in check. Their courage causes our seemingly insurmountable trials to fade as they are held to the light of the eternal glory that awaits us. Their persistent love for their persecutors gives us endurance in the midst of conflict. Their response to material losses show us their confidence in eternal gains, knowing their inheritance is one that is imperishable and rests with Christ. But most importantly, our persecuted family brings us into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings.

When they weep, we weep. When they rejoice, we rejoice. When they lose a child, we feel their loss. When their brother is put in prison, our brother is imprisoned. Their feet are weary, and their heads are aching for the comfort of fresh oil.

May we continue to invite these honoured guests into our hearts, washing their tired, callused feet with our prayers and anointing their heads with the oil of thanksgiving!

Perhaps one of the biggest stumbling blocks in our prayer life and our relationship with Christ is disappointment. We are disappointed in our spiritual life, job, country, church and perhaps even our family.

If we get to the heart of the issue, our disappointment is directed not at these areas of our lives but at God. We may ask: How could he allow this (circumstance) to happen? Why isn’t he helping me overcome these sin issues in my life? Why isn’t he rewarding me for my hard work? Why isn’t he bringing about revival in our nation? Why isn’t he working in our children’s hearts?

The apostle Paul had every “right” to be disappointed in God. Paul was given a dramatic salvation experience and was launched into ministry. People were coming to Christ; religious and government officials were being convicted. It couldn’t get any better than that, could it? It did. Paul was thrown in jail. There he wrote several letters, which today are cornerstones of the Christian faith.

Yet, Paul saw his chains not as a disappointment or a setback, but as an opportunity. He wrote to Timothy, advising him not to be ashamed of him, and used Onesiphorus as an example of one who was "not ashamed" of his chains." He invited Timothy to share in his sufferings through God’s power. Then earlier in his letter to the Philippians, he tells them that his imprisonment has furthered the gospel not frustrated it (1:12-14). And more so, his bonds have emboldened believers to preach without fear.

As we pray for the persecuted church, let us first evaluate our relationship with Christ. Spend some time alone with God, asking him to reveal any areas of your life where you are disappointed in him. If we allow ourselves to be honest, have we accused him of being indifferent toward our trials? Are we viewing our current sufferings as an obstacle for the gospel or an opportunity? Agree with him that your disappointment ultimately is sin. Thank him that he uses all things for his good purposes, and then stand on what’s true about him: Jesus is the chief cornerstone (Matthew 21:42); the earth is his and all it contains (Psalm 24:1); and he is the "ruler over the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5).

Then start praying for your persecuted family who is inviting you to fellowship in their sufferings according to God’s power.

Samuel M. Zwemer, a missionary and Christian scholar on Islam, said, “The history of missions is the history of answered prayer…it is the key to the whole missionary problem. All human means are secondary.” J. Oswald Sanders said, "[Prayer] is fundamental, not supplementary…. All progress can be clearly traced back to prevailing prayer."

VOM could diligently publish the addresses of Christians imprisoned in restricted nations and deliver Bibles inside those nations. Such efforts, however, are fruitless without prayer. Missions is answered prayer. VOM’s work is answered prayer. VOM’s work was petitioned years, perhaps even centuries ago by men and women who tarried on their knees for the persecuted church. One of these men was Pastor Richard Wurmbrand.

Pastor Wurmbrand shares, “You can move God. Remember how God decided to destroy the Jewish people after they had worshipped a golden calf, and through Moses’ prayer, God changed His mind? To produce changes in heavenly decrees is much more important than moving mountains [of difficulty].” God was testing Moses, who knew God had promised to make Abraham into a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). Moses knew that if God were to destroy the Israelites, they would not become a great people. What kind of image would the Gentiles have had of God? Would many have wanted to follow Him? Moses knew the heart of God. He knew the promise that God had made with Abraham and reminded Him. Therefore, God changed His mind.

Are there times when we can “move God” as Pastor Wurmbrand shared? Change his mind? What’s holding us back? Are we afraid of manipulating God? He can never be manipulated. Do we fear we will ask too much of God? As we read and observe what is happening around the world today, would we rather be guilty before God for asking too much of Him than asking too little? There is no formula in ensuring that we are not asking too much from God. That comes only through our relationship with Him as we spend time in His word, becoming students of His will. I once heard a pastor share that most prayers are asking for God’s will, not praying according to it. Which category do your prayers fall into? And why?

We can pray for God to move in restricted nations around the world. We can pray for God to move in the hearts of atheists, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus, so that they may come know Christ (1 Timothy 2:4). We can pray for God to move in the hearts of governmental authorities (Proverbs 21:1).

In Romania, Pastor Wurmbrand was interrogated many times during his 14 years in prison. One of his interrogators, Lieutenant Grecu, questioned Pastor Wurmbrand about his activities with the underground church. Wurmbrand described Grecu as “a tough young man… indoctrinated with the belief that he was making a better world.” After accusing Pastor Wurmbrand of lying about his contacts, Grecu ordered him to write out all the rules that Pastor broke in prison. Pastor Wurmbrand willingly sat at the table to write out his “declaration.” It had been two years since he had held a pen, so it was difficult to write. He persisted in writing all the rules he had broken, ending his “confession” with: “I have never spoken against the Communists. I am a disciple of Christ, who had given us love for our enemies. I understand them and pray for their conversion so that they will become my brothers in the Faith….”

When Grecu read the “declaration,” he was overwhelmed that Pastor could write of his love for a government that had put him in prison and tortured him. Grecu said, “This is one of your Christian commandments that no one can keep.” To that, Pastor lovingly responded, “It’s not a matter of keeping a commandment. When I became a Christian, it was as if I had been reborn, with a new character full of love. Just as only water can flow from a spring, so only love can come from a loving heart.”

Over time, Pastor had more opportunities to talk about Christ with Lieutenant Grecu. One day he had the wonderful privilege, in his own prison cell, to see Grecu come to Christ. We can pray that God will change the hearts of more Grecus who work in prisons in restricted nations around the world.

Pastor Wurmbrand wrote, “Manacles hurt not only the wrists, but also the soul.” When we “remember them that are in bonds as bound with them” (Hebrews 13:3), we enter into the “fellowship of His sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). When they hurt, our souls hurt. When they are beaten, our souls are beaten. When they are isolated in a dark cell, our souls share in that darkness. However, with prayer we can rub the feet of those in shackles. We can put a blanket over those shivering with cold on the icy cement floor. We can feed a spirit starved for fellowship and God’s word. We can nurse the wounds of a back bruised and cut from being whipped.

Christian Wölfkes of Romania prayed daily, “O Lord, I pray that I may not die before I have converted a Jew to the faith…. You are all-powerful. Bring a Jew here to me in my village, and I promise I will do my utmost to convert him to the faith.” In 1938, Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, both Jewish, arrived in his village and placed their faith in Christ. May we also pray, as Wölfkes did, that we would not die until we convert a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Communist or terrorist to faith in Christ.

VOM invites you to join us on the front lines in prayer to experience with them the joys of “fellowshipping in their sufferings.” VOM invites you to join them in seeing persecutors come to Christ. VOM offers a pull-out prayer map in our free Special Issue newsletter. You can display it wherever it will remind you to pray for our persecuted family. You may also wish to keep some paper handy while you read VOM’s monthly newsletters and online articles at www.vomcanada.com to jot down prayer requests and verses of Scripture. You can also cut out pictures from our newsletter and place them in your Bible as a prayer reminder.

Each time you pray for one of our brothers and sisters in bonds, remember that some day we will all be together before God’s throne singing praises and “comparing notes” from when we prayed and rejoicing in how those prayers were answered (Revelation 7:9). Remember, as we look into the future, VOM’s mission is your answered prayers.