Christian Reflection and Prayer

What Remembering the Persecuted Church Looks Like

Scripture:

Remember those in prison as if you
were their fellow prisoners, and those
who are mistreated as if you yourselves
were suffering - Hebrews 13:3

Reflection:

Researchers guess that about 176,000
Christians worldwide may have been killed
for their faith between mid-2008 and mid-2009.
Many of those believers died in secrecy, as
in the North Korean prison camps, and were
cut off from other believers at the end. Now,
consider that we have a daily opportunity to
partner with these men and women in prayer.
I have to think that's what the author of Hebrews
really meant when he encouraged us to
"remember" imprisoned believers. 

I'll be the first to admit it: I'm guilty of not
remembering my brothers and sisters in Christ.
My unfaithfulness to them reflects a heart that
hasn't quite grasped the enormity of the power
of prayer. And yet there James is, telling me
that the Christian's prayers have more impact
than perhaps we'll ever know. So - how about it?

What if we all pick a country and pray for the
believers living there in the coming month? I'll
be praying for North Korea, and believe me, there
are plenty of places to go around. Let's remember
that we serve a God who delights to use our prayers i
n ways we can't even imagine. Let's remember
the persecuted church.

Katherine Britton

crosswalk.com

"If I had not confessed the sin in my
heart, my Lord would not have listened.
But God did listen! He paid attention
to my prayer."
Psalm 66:18-19 NLT

Reflection:

For us to attempt to approach
God without first addressing the
ways in which we have knowingly
offended and wronged him is an
exercise in futility. Sin is the
"elephant in the room" that must
be acknowledged and dealt with.
Once we do that, we again enjoy
sweet fellowship with God. Clean
and forgiven, we can be sure he
hears our pleas for help.

Prayer:

Lord, you do not listen to my
prayers when I have unconfessed
sin in my life. By your Spirit give
me the humility I need to take a
hard look at my soul. Show me,
God, any wrong attitudes and
actions that I need to acknowledge.
I want to be right with you. I want to
be close to you. Thank you for pledging
to hear those who humble themselves
and acknowledge their sin. May my sins,
which block me from you when I don't
confess them, become a bridge to you
as I admit them, forsake them, and
experience your forgiveness.

from the Praying God's Promises in
Tough Times by Len Wood (Tyndale) pp 8-9"

"I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me,
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside
me."    Psalm 16:7-8 NLT

The steps of the godly are directed by
the Lord. He delights in every detail of
their lives. Though they stumble, they
will not fall, for the Lord holds them by
the hand.  Psalm 37:23-24

Giving thanks that God is near

"Sometimes we try to "ride out the storms" i
n our lives — doing this the best we can.
We think, If I can just hang on and be
strong, I can get through this. David knew
he couldn't make it on his own. In the past,
he had found help in the Lord God. And in
this prayer, David again sought the Lord's
protection: "Keep me safe, O God, for I have
come to you for refuge" (v. 1). He rejoiced
in the guidance and assistance the Lord had
given him. Though his enemies were trying to
shake and topple him, David stood firm because
God was "right beside" him.

In prayer today, acknowledge that God is right
beside you — upholding and guiding you.
Thank him that he helps you and does not
leave you to struggle on your own.

A prayer for today…

Dear Lord, I will not be shaken, for you are
right beside me…

from The One Year® Book of Bible Prayers edited by Bruce Barton(Tyndale)