Note: What follows is an edited post from 2013 and 2015. May we always remember our brothers and
sisters who worship in closed or restricted countries! I am tentatively planning to have at least
one more post on persecution in the weeks ahead.
Sunday, November 6, 2016, is International Day for the
Persecuted Church (an alternative date I have seen also states November 13. Will you please remember in prayer those who
worship the Lord in the face of great loss, great persecution? For more information on International Day of
Prayer for the Persecuted Church and general information on the persecuted
church see:
“Whom having not seen, ye love;
in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy
unspeakable and full of glory…” (1 Peter
1:8 KJV)
Peter’s words must have brought some comfort and
encouragement to the early Gentile Christians.
These Christians were facing extreme persecution under the Roman
government led by Emperor Nero. This
persecution has not ended; it continues on today.
The following passages from Hebrews should be encouraging to
every Christian, but especially encouraging to those enduring unimaginable
hardship due to the name of Jesus.
These all died in
faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and
were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly
that they seek a country. And truly, if
they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might
have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is,
an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath
prepared for them a city.
Personal Photo |
Wherefore seeing we
also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the
author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of
the throne of God. For
consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest
ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,
striving against sin.
(Hebrews 12:1-4
KJV)
Currently throughout the world there are many countries
where to be a Christian is a death sentence or at least a guarantee to lose
home, employment, family, and so much more.
In the face of all this—men, women, and children demonstrate great faith
in their Savior—Jesus Christ.
At this point, in America we have it fairly easy—we can
worship freely and without fear. How has
that affected our faith? Do we have the
faith that would sustain us, even if that freedom was taken away? Some day, we may find ourselves in a very
similar situation to our brothers and sisters in Christ in places like North
Korea and China, to name two.
From: https://s3.amazonaws.com/juicyecumenism/wp-content/uploads/bible-and-chains_the-evanglical-fellowship-of-canada_121109-article.jpg |
I believe we can learn much from our Christian brothers and
sisters in the persecuted church. They
know what it means to rejoice in the face of things that are not joyful. Learn about
them and from them. Remember to pray for
those who are suffering all because they refuse to turn from Jesus.
What about us…? What
would Peter say to us, to encourage us in our Christian walk? Do we love and believe in Jesus? Do we rejoice with joy unspeakable? May we be found faithful!
How will we respond one day when to claim the name of Jesus
will cost us everything? May we be found
faithful!
Please join me in prayer:
Dear Father, we love You and
believe in You, even though we do not see You.
Open our eyes and hearts to Your presence among us. It is because of You that we can
rejoice—rejoice in all things and glory in Your name. We lift up to You our brothers and sisters in
Christ, who cannot worship freely but worship knowing that it may cost them their
lives; grant them Your peace and love and protection. Lord, prepare us who currently worship in
safety and freedom to one day lose that freedom—strengthen us to stand strong
in our faith, counting the cost worth it.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
From My Heart to Yours,
Kim
Praying for the persecuted, that God extend His comfort and protection to them. And that we might look to their great faith to strengthen our own.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings, Kim!
Martha, Thank you for praying for our brothers and sisters who are enduring so much because they treasure Jesus above all else. Their testimonies are so very encouraging!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hi Kim! It seems impossible in this day and age that persecution still exists, but it sure does. As you said, just admitting that you're a Christian can get you tortured, jailed and killed in many countries. Seems like we'll never be able to open our hearts to each other the way Christ did and does.
ReplyDeleteYou remind me to pray and pray for our world, and it's persecuted people. How blessed am I that I live where I do.
Ceil
Hi Ceil! Yes, persecution is a very real thing, in fact, we'll more than likely face it here one day. As I've read and studied the Scriptures it seems to say if we live for Jesus as we should persecution will happen.
DeleteFor now, we have freedom to worship and to share Jesus with those around us, for that I'm thankful. May we all pray for our Brothers and Sisters in the Lord who are suffering the loss of all things for the incomparable experience of having Jesus as Savior and Lord.
We are so blessed to live where we live.
Blessings,
Kim