Remember Today to Pray for the Persecuted Not at all aiming to cast a somber note on anyones morning. But for those to whom it applies; as we contemplate gloriously worshipping our Lord today and fellowshipping with others of the faith, may we remember if for but a moment to pray for persecuted Christians of our world. Arose this morning prayerfully burdened for persecuted Christians of our world. It’s ironic, that alongside of many wonderful and fruitful Gospel ministry works unfolding in our world celebrated with great joy there are atrocities being committed against brothers and sisters particularly because of firm faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. To think, that the twenty-first century remains a time of actual Christian martyrs, who perhaps some today may still see as only a historical occurrence of the first century. But yet in our day, Christians are being incarcerated, tortured and killed, some as nationals at the hands of their own countrymen and others as missionaries simply honoring Christ commission to ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel of every person.’ [Mark 16:15] Our brother Paul was so clear of the compliment of persecution that accompanies a pure and proper representation Jesus Christ in non-Christian environments: ‘Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.’ [2 Timothy 3:12] Make no mistake about it; something about representing Christ publicly naturally engenders persecution in some form or the representation of Christ is not pure, true to New Testament Gospel tenants as Christ proclaimed and taught from His lips. Christ is the lone object and reason for persecution, never us. This is why even in the beatitudes, He made it abundantly clear that persecution is a actual mark of blessing along with all other blessings because, in a strange but true manner persecution assures our application and representation of Christ in the world and the church is pure to God and His word, hear Christ say again: 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” [Matthew Chapter 5] But we can never predict with accuracy three things: 1) the source of persecution, 2) the nature of persecution and 3) the degree of persecution. Persecution comes in many forms and measured degrees, from verbal assaults, relational distancing or abandonment, ridicule, dislike, incarceration, physical abuse, torture or death. And strangely, persecution can come not only from non-Christians, but Christians alike as, the simple and initial mark of a persecutor is being mean-spirited and reactive to any pure or true public presentation of Christ or God’s will. Perhaps the severe cases of persecution make us feel helpless and hopeless. But, we should never fail to pray, much as they did in the first century for the persecuted. [Acts Chapter 12] Prayer is always penetrable in ways we know not largely due to the omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience of our God. God works in ways that transcends what we both comprehend and don’t. And perhaps as we pray for the persecuted, answered prayer equips and fortifies their spirit, soul and body for moments of suffering to be infused by supernatural faith and power. For a stoned Stephen exemplifies clearly for us that persecuted Christians during the most intense moment of their suffering, they can yet be filled with the Spirit: 54 ‘They shook their fists at him in rage. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” 57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.’ [Acts Chapter 7] Today, as we pray for all else and others, may we pray for the persecuted Christian, no matter the source, nature or degree of their suffering. For the true is, persecution in any form is persecution.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 11:48:30 +0000
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