I prayed for these people today and that the Lord would raise individuals in leadership who honor Him and serve him. I prayed he would protect and provide for the Christians who have surrendered their lives to Him, allowing them to see miracles large and small in their own lives and to live with the hope of heaven and an unfailing trust in our Awesome God. I pray each of us who calls ourselves by His name would be willing to suffer for Him, worshiping Him and living out a powerful testimony even in the face of persecution and death. For our reward in heaven will be so much greater than any trial we must go through here on earth, even death.
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified with [him]. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.
(Rom 8:16-18)