Persecution of the church in Africa: a devotion on Africa’s legacy

From an Africa Study Bible touch point:

Augustine (AD 354–430), a well-known leader of the early church, wrote this about Cyprian, who lived 100 years earlier:

When he expected to be a martyr, Cyprian did not allow himself to forget that he was still a bishop. He was more concerned about the report he would give to the Great Shepherd about the sheep who were committed to him than he was about the answer he would give to the unbelieving proconsul concerning his own faith. 

As bishop of Carthage, Cyprian prepared his people for a persecution that had begun in Rome to reach North Africa. When Cyprian was brought before the Roman proconsul in AD 257, he refused to sacrifice to pagan deities and instead declared his faith in Christ. A year later, he was sentenced to die by the sword. He replied, “Thanks be to God.” He was taken to a public place. There he knelt down, prayed, blindfolded himself, and was beheaded. 

Today:

Look up information about African nations where the church or converts experience great persecution. Pray for these Christians and their leaders to hold fast to their faith in Christ. 

Voice of the Martyrs  (as well as others) are a good place to start finding information about how to pray for those experiencing persecution. The Africa Study Bible has a prayer card included that lists every nation in Africa and how to find more information.