Remembering the Persecuted Church
“Remember
those in prison as though you were their fellow prisoners and those who are
mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”*
One
Saturday evening, I texted our grandsons asking if they would like us to stop by
their house and pick them up for church the next morning. As it turned out, Nate
(14) responded to my text, but Elliot (12) was attending a Bar Mitzva for a
friend from school and didn’t reply.
Many of their schoolmates are Jewish and have
invited both Nate and Elliot to attend their Bar Mitzvas or Bat Mitzvas.
Through these opportunities, they have gained some insight into the practices,
religious ceremonies and celebrations of their Jewish friends.
Nate
wanted to go with us on Sunday morning. Taking Nate and Elliot to church,
whether it is to Sunday School, youth group or joining us in the worship
service is a joy!
Their
parents, Chris and Shanda, started them out when they were toddlers,
intentionally getting them involved in church. Now that their dad is
care-giving for Shanda full time, we have been able to help with rides.
However,
it’s more than just giving the boys a ride to church; it is all about living
out our faith in front of them, introducing them to the idea of having a vital,
personal relationship with God through Christ and hopefully inspiring them to
pass along the Good News to the next generation.
The
church family has surrounded Nate and Elliot, as well as their mom and dad with
much love and support, so that the boys want to attend church and seem happy
when they are there.
Al and I also have been greatly supported
during the entire time of her illness. Knowing that people are praying for
Shanda has been encouraging to us both.
On
that particular Sunday morning, I sat between my grandson and husband. While
standing during the singing and worship part of the service, I accidently
bumped into Nate a couple of different times with my elbow. When I looked over
at him apologetically, he grinned and took my arm and pumped it up and down keeping
time to the music!
After
the service, one of the worship team members who plays bass guitar came over to
chat and was introduced to Nate. Al told the young man how Nate is learning how
to play the electric guitar. Nate responded positively to the encouragement of
the bass guitarist.
Who
knows? Maybe the music portion of the service will be another area where Nate
can get involved and share his gifts with other believers.
“Thanks
for taking me, Grandpa,” he said afterwards as he opened the car door and
headed towards his house.
“Remember!”
said Al, his way of saying “remember how much I love you!”
“I
know Grandpa. I love you too!”
In
stark contrast to the freedom of religion we have here in America, there are
many countries where people cannot worship openly and where they experience
persecution for their faith in Christ. On Sunday November 5th,
Christians around the world will be praying for followers of Christ living in
countries that are hostile to the Gospel. Some countries have laws that restrict
people from professing their faith or from owning a Bible.
The
Voice of the Martyrs, a Christian organization dedicated to raising awareness
of this situation, has published a prayer guide to use on that day as well as throughout
the year. It includes praying that persecuted Christians might sense God’s
presence, experience the Lord’s comfort, have courage in sharing the Gospel, be
strong in faith and rooted in God’s Word, have wisdom, remain joyful amid
suffering through the power of the Holy Spirit and forgive those who persecute
them.
May
we not be indifferent to their suffering, but rather commit ourselves to praying
for them. A heartfelt prayer in Psalm 67 expresses the desire for God to bless
us so that we might be a blessing to others…
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and
make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your
salvation among all nations.” * (Psalm 67:1-2 NIV)
Yes,
may His ways be known on the earth and His plan of salvation through Christ be
made known among all of the nations. It is up to us!
For
more information and materials to share with your pastor, contact www.persecution.com
*Hebrews
13:3 NIV
Elliot (12) in bottom row, second from left
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