Praying for the Persecuted Church

Persecution? Like what happened to Peter and Paul? Yep. We don’t think of “Christian persecution” as something that takes place today, but in actuality, it is happening almost every hour! -things just as bad as what happened to Peter and Paul, actually, probably worse, due to the technology that we have now.
According to Mark Moore, founder of Province Community Church, “163,000 Christians die every year for their faith. Half of all the Christians who have ever died for their faith did so in this century alone, some 35 million!” (see http://markmoore.org/resources/essays/acts/persecution.pdf)

Persecution is a worldwide normality…

LAOS: On February 25 of last year, sixty-five Laotian Christians were driven away from their village after refusing to reject the Lord Jesus. Governmental Officials then destroyed the Christians crops. And local sources claim that the government plans to starve these Christians to death until they renounce Jesus Christ. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Food-denied-to-65-Laotian-farmers-to-force-them-to-renounce-Christianity-20878.html

Egypt: Our news and media dubs the upheaval as “sectarian violence”, but in actuality, is persecution against God’s children.  On October 9, 2011, Egyptian Christians felt they had to do something against the outrageous violence against themselves. From 6-9 o’clock in the evening, the Christians held a peaceful protest. They sang hymns and were armed only with  candles and pictures of Jesus. The Muslim military responded by plowing tanks into the crowds of people. Twenty-four protesters and bystanders were killed. The Muslims followed those who were injured to the hospital, and even threatened to kill the hospital employees. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/10/us-egypt-copts-clashes-idUSTRE7981Q220111010

Uganda: December of last year, Pastor Umar was having an evangelical outreach. After everything was over, a group of men asked the Pastor if they could talk with him. Umar brought them in to the church when they suddenly poured acid on his face and back.  Umar lived through this attack, but his face is extremely disfigured and he has lost sight in one eye. Doctors are still struggling now to save the other. http://www.persecution.net/ug-2012-03-08.htm

Persecution is worldwide. Persecution is real. 

Persecution is happening right now!

What are we supposed to do about it? Many Christians do not know that Jesus Christ gave the responsibility to help the persecuted to us. Yes, us, Christians. The Church has the responsibility to help the persecuted. “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”  (1 Peter 4:8 NKJV.) This verse says that our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ must be above all things…above all things! That is our responsibility.

Hebrews 13:1-2 says, “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:1-2 NIV)

The context of those verses was that of extreme persecution. Christians had been forced to flee their homes and could only hope to find refuge somewhere else. The author was instructing the Hebrews to be hospitable to even though they didn’t know them. Why? - Simply because they were a part of the body of Christ. Check out what Paul said about the Macedonian churches in (2 Corinthians 8:3-4. I really like the way the NLT says it!) … they really understood that we are one body…the body of Christ.

For example, If your hand is on a stove burner, you probably wouldn’t reach the newspaper and flip through for a little bit, and then maybe eat some chips, and then perhaps try to remove your hand from the hot stove. No! Your hand is a part of you. Rather you would remove it right away! In the same way, the Christian church is to, “… above all things have fervent love for one another…” 

For many years, I never knew of the plight of Christians around the globe. But now I know. Do not let ignorance be an excuse to ignore the silent murders, rapes, kidnappings, and imprisonments that many Christians have suffered in this very decade. Do not be unaware that our hands are on the burner.

Ok, now don’t get discourages. We CAN HELP THE PERSECUTED! This brings me back to prayer. Of course, there are many ways to help the persecuted, but one way is to pray for them. Visit http://www.compassdirect.org/. Compassdirect has been known to have accurate news reports about the persecuted…reports that our media will not give us. Check them regularly and pray for those Christians. Take the information that you read about to your family, friends and church. Have them to pray to! God’s Word does say that, “…the… prayer of righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16 KJV)

In Foxes book of Martyrs, it was said, “Christ founded the church with a call to love one another, but those who claim His name have not always lived out that calling.” But I pray that those words would not characterize you and me. Let us put this call to “love one another” “above all things”. And may we never forget that our hands are still on the stove burner. 

-Elisha Sputo

Take up Your Sword and FIGHT!

"I was in a serious battle. Everything that was normally light and bright now seemed dark and dull. As I stood there in the darkness I felt I was in quicksand, knowing that if I didn't react and do something quick I would panic and drown.

"My battle wasn't taking place in the normal sense; this was a battle for my mind. The enemy was throwing accusations in my face. My emotions started spinning out of control as Satan's lies flooded my heart. Desperately, I tried rejecting them but my feeble attempts to ignore only cause the battle to rage more fiercely within. What a poor soldier I turned out to be! 

"Then, someone stepped to my side and offered a glistening, sharp edged sword. 'This is no ordinary sword. Listen to its promptings and be ready to use it wherever you go', he said.

Confessions of an ex-convict

Did you know I spent time in prison? No, this time I wasn't visiting Port Arthur but...I was in place that was just as dark and miserable. Instead of viewing crumbing remains of an ancient convict settlement, I was behind bars locked away in my own prison cell. Late into the night I would toss and turn in the misery of a guilty conscience. If only I had not commit the crime I wouldn't be in this horrid place. Would I ever be free again?

Then there was a day I will never forget...

"Laurie", a voice whispered to me from beyond my barred window. Startle, I cautiously approached the window. "What do you want?" My eyes strained to recognize the silhouetted figure in the moonlit night. He came closer but remained hidden in the shadows. "Laurie, the One I work for sent me to arrange for your release." 

"Here is the key to your cell...you are free to go."

I was free to go? Staring at the key I wondered if I really had the courage to use it. How strange it would've been for me to stay in such a place. I was free to go. Nothing could stop me...except myself. I didn't walk out of my prison cell that night nor did I find freedom until many years later. 

Now that you are entirely shocked that I am an ex-convict, I will explain my real predicament. My prison was one of spiritual bondage. Hidden sin had thrown me into solitary confinement while guilt held me in chains. Jesus handed me the key but pride kept me from escaping. In Psalm 139 David prayed, 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. 

Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." 

The third aspect of prayer we are looking at today is confession. I used to be afraid to ask God to search me because of the guilt buried deep within my heart. Sin has a nasty way of creeping in to the unsuspecting heart, draining your zeal for God and keeping you in a self-made prison. Sin's greatest strength lies in secrecy. Is there sin in your life that no one is aware of? Are there things you are keeping from your parents? I use to think that if I confessed to God enough He would get off my back and that I would "feel" better but it never worked. I was still in that prison cell and I knew the only way out was to use that key.

"People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy." (Proverbs 28:13) Don't waste another day imprisoned to sin. Grab one your parents and tell them everything. I remember the first time I found courage to talk with my mom about my struggles...I did NOT tell her everything. Afterwards I felt even more miserable because I only told her enough to "make myself feel better". I had to go back a second time and this time I did tell her everything. As you go to prayer today remember the words of Jesus, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Don't remain in that prison cell but use the key of confession to walk through that door of freedom!

I know this is a tough thing to tackle so if you want to talk please feel free to send me an email: laurie@apassionforjesus.com 

A Weapon You Cannot Live Without

"A large army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are making good time which leaves us little time to prepare for the attack." The young messenger wiped the sweat off his forehead as he paused to catch his breath. He had travelled long and hard to warn the king of this approaching danger. Impatiently, he waited for the king's response but only silence filled the courtyard. A look of fear came over the king's face. This news could be fatal for the people in Judah. King Jehoshaphat began to pace the room.

"God, what am I going to do", he silently prayed. This was not the first time he stared death in the face. His thoughts drifted back to the time the enemy mistakenly thought he was the Israeli King. Their orders were to kill him but God supernaturally intervened when Jehoshaphat cried out to Him for help. Could it be that God wanted to show Himself strong once more? Turning to the messenger he knew what must be done. "Everyone in Judah must begin to fast. Have them gather in Jerusalem that we may seek the Lord's help".

News spread rapidly and the people of Judah assembled together in from of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. The crowd restlessly waited to see what their king was going to do. Jehoshaphat solemnly stood before them He lifted up his voice to Heaven to beg for deliverance...it was their only hope.

"O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! Now the armies of Ammon, Moah, and Mount Seir are coming to invade our lands. They have come to throw us out of your land. Oh our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack. We don't know what to do, but are looking to you for help!"

The king's earnest prayer was met with silence from the Lord. His eyes scanned the anxious crowd as He wondered if anyone had received a message from God. Slowly a man made his way to the front of the crowd. Jehoshaphat then knew that God had sent his spirit on this man.

"My name is Jahaziel and this is God's response to our prayers. Don't be afraid or discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is nor yours, but God's. Tomorrow, march out against them but you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!" Responding to the Lord, King Jehoshaphat and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed low with their faces to the ground, worshipping and praising the Lord.

Early the next morning, the army gathered together for the battle at hand. After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. "Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!" At the sound of praises, the approaching troops began to turn on themselves and fight each other. The Lord had sent a spirit of confusion into their midst and utterly destroyed the enemy!

There is a weapon you and I cannot live without...it is the weapon of praise. I love this story found in 2 Chronicles 20. To me, it is a beautiful spiritual analogy of our daily lives. Praise is our strong defense. It not only ushers in the presence of God but brings protection against the enemy of discouragement, fear, and depression. As you spend time in prayer today remember these words...

 "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, 

and into his courts with praise." (Psalm 100:4)