DCLM Daily Manna 18 July 2026 — Christian Persecution

DCLM Daily Manna 18 July 2026 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Christian Persecution

TOPIC: Christian Persecution (DCLM Daily Manna 18 July 2026)

KEY VERSE: And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles – Acts 8:1)

TEXT: Acts 8:1-4 (KJV)

1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:

On its website, Open Doors International, the Christian organisation, published its report on persecution of believers in 2024. The report showed that 4,476 Christians were murdered, 7,679 churches and Christian properties attacked and 4,744 Christians imprisoned across the globe. “In Open Doors’ World Watch List top 50 alone, 310 million Christians face very high or extreme levels of persecutions and discriminations for their faith”, the report said. Christian persecution is real in our world today.

The early Church also faced persecution as we read from today’s Bible passage. The horrible death of Stephen by public stoning in Acts 7 triggered a wave of serious persecutions led by Saul. While the church was mourning over the death of the young preacher, Saul “…made havok of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3). The believers had no choice but to scatter and flee Jerusalem to safety. The good news though is that the scattering helped them to take the gospel to new locations.

Jesus warned the disciples to prepare for persecution in their journey of faith. He said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service” (John 16:1,2). Persecution is normal in the Christian race, but the grace of God is also available to see us through to the end.

Since we may not be able to avoid persecution, what can we do? We must, like the early Church, develop effective survival strategies. These include prayerfulness, endurance, maintaining a joyful disposition and readiness to spread the gospel anywhere life takes us. We must also raise sound and committed disciples who are ready to labour anywhere and everywhere for the Master.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Sometimes God uses persecution as a tool for gospel propagation

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Exodus 5-7

Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2025 was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.