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- Apr 25, 2006
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CHRISTIANS UNDER ATTACK
'Remember... those who are mistreated' Hebrews 13:3
Sometimes our prayer requests can start to resemble the gift lists for Santa Claus we wrote when we were kids - all about me, me, me. Just as we never put requests for others on our annual letter to Lapland, we can omit to include them in our daily prayers to our Father in heaven. We may need to wake up.
There are members of our church family around the world who are being severely persecuted for believing in Jesus, and we must remember them in our prayers, just like we remember to include our family, friends and people who don't yet know Jesus. In countries like North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, Christians are denied the right to practice their faith; secret police monitor worship gatherings and Christians are personally threatened with punishment, imprisonment and even death.
Yet amazingly, the underground church continues to grow - fast. Paul, writing from prison himself, put it like this: 'Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured' (Col. 4:3-4 NRSV)
What now? Dedicate time to pray today for all those suffering for the name of Jesus. Pray for their physical protection, endurance, and for God to speak through them.
written by Bob Gass
'Remember... those who are mistreated' Hebrews 13:3
Sometimes our prayer requests can start to resemble the gift lists for Santa Claus we wrote when we were kids - all about me, me, me. Just as we never put requests for others on our annual letter to Lapland, we can omit to include them in our daily prayers to our Father in heaven. We may need to wake up.
There are members of our church family around the world who are being severely persecuted for believing in Jesus, and we must remember them in our prayers, just like we remember to include our family, friends and people who don't yet know Jesus. In countries like North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, Christians are denied the right to practice their faith; secret police monitor worship gatherings and Christians are personally threatened with punishment, imprisonment and even death.
Yet amazingly, the underground church continues to grow - fast. Paul, writing from prison himself, put it like this: 'Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured' (Col. 4:3-4 NRSV)
What now? Dedicate time to pray today for all those suffering for the name of Jesus. Pray for their physical protection, endurance, and for God to speak through them.
written by Bob Gass
