Attacks against churches in the United States are sharply on the rise.

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A recent report by The Family Research Council analyzed incidents from 2018–2023. Here is what they found:

• 709 occurrences of vandalism
• 135 arson attacks or attempts
• 22 gun-related incidents
• 32 bomb threats
• 61 other incidents (assault, threats, interruption of worship services, etc.)
• 39 cases in which multiple types of hostility occurred (e.g., vandalism and arson)

FRC posits that Americans appear increasingly comfortable lashing out against church buildings, which points to a larger societal problem of marginalizing core Christian beliefs, including those that touch on hot-button political issues related to human dignity and sexuality. “Although the motivations for many of these acts of hostility remain unknown, the effect is unmistakable: religious intimidation. They send the message that churches are not wanted in the community or respected in general.”

These findings are underscored by Hulu’s rejection of an ad placed by a Texas Church, claiming it violates the company’s policy on “religious indoctrination.” Hulu follows in the footsteps of social media giants who have routinely censored Christian posts on a variety of topics claiming that they violated their community standards.

FRC President Tom Perkins believes that the changing attitude mirrors the growing persecution against Christians worldwide, as documented by organizations like Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs.

In November of last year, I wrote an article about this, entitled “Is the American Church Prepared for Persecution?” That article details the growing persecution of Christians worldwide, as well as the types of persecution churches face. I won’t repeat myself.

Instead, we need to delve deeper into why these attacks are taking place and how we should pray about them. Their frequency and the alarm with which they are being reported tell us that this is a matter for urgent and persistent prayer.

The Spiritual Roots of Persecution in America
Violence against churches, such as the recent attack on Lakewood Church, in Houston, are extreme expressions of the societal persecution against the Church indicated by the FRC report.

While the laws of the land guarantee the protection of Christian worship, the people of the land may turn against it.

Society’s persecution of the Church is driven by the growing belief that Christianity is irrelevant and stands in the way of progressive thinking like tolerance and relativism. Even though Christianity emphasizes relationship rather than religion, the Church holds fast to absolute truths and emphasizes obedience to God’s will and design for human life. That is increasingly loathsome to the inhabitants of a world under Satan’s rule, in which lawlessness abounds (see Matthew 24:12) and man is encouraged to be his own god and to do what is right in his own eyes (see Proverbs 21:2). Thus, we see not only the legalization but also the celebration of everything the Bible calls sin and abominable in God’s eyes.

To some, the Church is a hindrance and should, therefore, be restricted or forbidden. Since the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of religion and won’t, for now, forbid Christian worship, some turn to the next best thing: attack. That can come through lawsuits, the propagation of laws restricting public activity by Christians, such as the conviction of peaceful abortion protestors in Tennessee, or direct attacks on church campuses by vandalism, arson, or shootings.

Another factor that may add fuel to the fires of persecution in America is the rapidly changing demographic landscape. Millions of people are pouring across our southern border illegally, and they include a growing number of Chinese, South Asians, and Middle Easterners. In Minnesota, the religious and political landscape has been affected by a large influx of Somalians during the past two decades, which has resulted in the election of the firebrand Islamic Rep. Ilhan Omar. In my home state, thousands of Indians are moving in, and enormous Hindu temple complexes are springing up everywhere.

With all that influx of cultures and religions among whom Christianity is not popular, and with “none” being the fastest-growing “religion” in America, the tide is rapidly turning against Christianity and, by extension, the Christian principles on which our nation was founded. There are growing voices for changes in the Constitution and its application to everyday American life.

The Church must prepare for that.

Prayer With Faith, Not Fear
We must not be dismayed at or fear persecution. It is one of the tools God uses to unify and purify His Bride. The Church is the most unified and grows the fastest in countries where Christianity is forbidden and believers are actively persecuted. It seems that wherever the Church has complete freedom, bickering, strife, division, immorality, and lukewarm faith practice ensues.

We must set an example of courageous intercession on behalf of the American Church — prayer that voices faith in God’s sovereign will instead of prayer uttered in the fear of man. Praying with faith in God’s sovereign will means embracing persecution as a tool in His hand that brings us closer to Him. Praying in the fear of man means that we ask God to prevent persecution. Here is a progression of prayer to address the growing persecution:

1. Recognition – pray for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the Church to the growing danger.
2. Repentance – pray for soul-searching, turning away from lukewarmness and immoral behaviors toward holiness and passionate pursuit of Christ.
3. Prayerfulness – pray for the Church to recommit to personal and corporate prayer as the key to enduring persecution while continuing to fulfill the Great Commission.
4. Unity – pray that the growing threat of persecution may unite the Church in facing it with mutual support and love.
5. Preparation – pray for the Church to pursue deeper intimacy with God that will grow faith, courage, and endurance.
6. Courage – pray that the Church will not retreat to the safety of her campuses, but instead shine the light of God’s love in every part of society.
7. Proclamation – pray for bold public gospel proclamation as the key to America’s returning to God.
8. Revival – pray for revival in the land that can turn the tide and return the hearts of many to God.

Father in heaven, we thank You for ensuring that no persecution or suffering is wasted. Instead, You use it to purify, unite, and strengthen us. Therefore, we embrace it on behalf of Your Church in America. Open our eyes to see the danger and to respond not in fear but in faith. Ignite in our hearts a sense of urgency to pray without ceasing, to know and love Your Word, to walk in holiness, and to shine our light in the darkness around us even when that darkness attacks us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Remco Brommet is a pastor, spiritual-growth teacher, and prayer leader with over 40 years of experience in Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the U.S. He was born and raised in the Netherlands and pastored his first church in Amsterdam. He moved to the U.S. in 1986. He and his wife, Jennifer, live north of Atlanta. When not writing books, he blogs at www.deeperlifeblog.com and assists his wife as a content developer and prayer coordinator for True Identity Ministries. Jennifer and Remco are passionate about bringing people into a deeper relationship with Christ. Photo Credit: Josh Eckstein on Unsplash.