Following Jesus in the 1st Century was not easy, and often dangerous. There was no place for Christianity in the Roman Empire: it was an illegal religion. Jews, who were tolerated, felt compromised by their co-religionists following Jesus, which challenged their Christless religion; and consequently were willing to create civil disturbance in order to stop the Christian gospel from spreading (Acts 17:5-9).

Most of the apostles died prematurely and violently. The Apostle Paul had many prison experiences (2 Corinthians 11:23), but whilst there he was an active witness to Jesus Christ and also he dictated a number of letters, which are now part of our Bible. Although the conditions were primitive and very uncomfortable with poor sanitation, damp and cold, it was the place where Paul influenced kings (Acts 26:27-28), won souls for Christ (Philemon 1:8-10), wrote doctrinal letters (Colossians 4:18) and demonstrated the power of the living God in a beaten human body (2 Corinthians 6:3-10).

Although Paul never complained of the conditions of his captivity, he did not like the cold, the lack of mental stimulation or the isolation from fellow gospel workers (2 Timothy 4:9-13). He understood the risk of his faith to others in his family (Romans 16:7) and had great compassion for other believers in similar circumstances. And so, Paul valued the prayers of the churches for his own wellbeing and ministry while in prison (Ephesians 6:19-20; Colossians 4:3). He, Peter and the writer of Hebrews all encouraged the church to pray for those who were suffering, that they might have both comfort and grace to continue as gospel messengers while awaiting their call to heaven (Hebrews 10:34).

Today, many believers are detained against their will because they refuse to deny Christ. Others are with them through their own fault. Although the world wants to forget them, the Lord never forgets them. Like Joseph, they say that the Lord has had a higher plan all along (Genesis 50:19-21). There may be much suffering, but those who know Jesus have a hope of eternal glory and so pray for their captors rather than curse them (Luke 6:28). So, do not forget those who others would like to forget; in as far as you can, empathise with them. Pray for them, write to them, visit them (Matthew 25:34-40), help supply their needs and care for the widows and orphans (James 1:27). That is all part of normal Christian worship (Hebrews 12:28-29).