Over the last few years, the suffering of believers has greatly increased throughout the globe. This is due to the collapse of economies, war, and persecution. Although the support of the suffering and persecuted church is not HeartCry’s primary ministry, it is becoming more prominent with each passing year. We must never forget our union with the people of God throughout the globe. As Jesus taught, whoever calls upon the name of the Lord and does His will is our father, mother, sister, brother, and child (Matthew 12:48-50). Therefore, when they suffer, we suffer; when they weep, we weep; when they rejoice, we rejoice (Romans 12:15). Their well-being is our ultimate concern. To think otherwise is to ignore the very commands of Christ.

HeartCry’s daily prayer meetings are often replete with general prayers for the persecuted and suffering among God’s people as well as specific prayers for our brothers and sisters associated with our ministry who are in the midst of poverty, war, persecution, or imprisonment. Over the last few years, we have provided temporary aid for the widows and children of ministers who have died, for indigenous ministries caring for orphans in danger of traffickers, and for Christian refugees. We have also financed the extraction of Christians who had the sentence of death upon them.

As we look to the future, we do not foresee any abatement of the cost and casualties in the church militant’s great war. As our brothers and sisters advance the gospel and stand fast for the faith, there will always be those who must pay the ultimate price of humiliation, deprivation, physical suffering, and even death. However, they must not fight this battle alone nor fear for the well-being of their families if they are imprisoned or martyred for the faith. We must stand with them! The writer of Hebrews commands us, “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body” (Hebrews 13:3). As in other contexts of Scripture, the word “remember” means more than to merely think about something. It is a call to a genuine concern that results in action! Those who suffer for Christ are our family. They are members with us in the body of Christ. Is it possible for us to remember that our father, mother, sister, brother, or child is in prison without being grieved and moved to action? John writes, “Whoever… sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” Even the book of Proverbs confirms the need for action: “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered” (21:13). And again:

“Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back. If you say, ‘See, we did not know this,’ Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?” — Proverbs 24:11-13

As we have stated many times, HeartCry’s primary ministry is and will continue to be focused on the support of missionaries and the planting of churches. However, when we become aware of the needs of God’s suffering and persecuted people, the Scriptures command that we must respond. By God’s grace and provision we will, always remembering the words of Jesus:

“Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” — Matthew 25:40