We had a day of fasting for the persecuted church. We met collectively this evening to pray specifically about this forgotten reality. The time started with these verses:
Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. – Hebrews 13:3
If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it – 1 Corinthians 12:26
I sensed the verses hit many of us with force for the first time. The Word was alive. A brother read about some of the situations around the world. Some of the persecution is almost unmentionable. Yet, I somehow found myself dull. I tried to pray. I only had reality when confessing my unreality. But I was beginning to feel the weight of the situation and the command.
Remember. We are commanded to remember these brothers and sisters. To what extent? God will allow no speculation in this area: as though in prison with them. Detach yourself from this mind-numbing, Christ-drowning, self-sufficient culture and place yourself within that cold, damp cell. O how exceedingly precious the prayers of the saints would become! One prayer lifted to the Father would be worth more than gold!
So remember your brothers. Remember they sleep in cells, cold and sick. They’ve been beaten and starved. They don’t have their Bibles. They are fed lies and Satanic propaganda. Their families are poor and in danger, maybe without a home. Pray. Pray for the alleviation of their suffering. Pray that God would keep them cleaving. Let us die deeper deaths and suffer with them.
You can find more information on these sites. We do not support all of the theology and missiology on these links. Nevertheless, the information these organizations provide is a wonderful service to the Church.
Release International
www.releaseinternational.org
Voice of the Martyrs
www.persecution.com
