Remember those in bonds

It's Friday and I am preparing for our weekly meeting to pray for those who are Persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. This summer I attended a Voice of the Martyrs conference in NYC. Two speakers from Voice of the Martyrs gave a presentation at our church in October. About the same time a Pastor from Pakistan visited with our Pastor and we now have a weekly service in Urdu. Voice of the Martyrs has a very informative site and offers a number of ways to become involved in supporting the persecuted church. On the site you can compose a letter to prisoners in their own language, you can read about prisoners and their countries. You can send bibles through Bibles Unbound. You can receive prayer alerts via email and they also have a free newsletter. There is so much more to their site- persecution.com . I encourage everyone to visit this site and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a amazing how many of those who are persecuted pray for those who are persecuting them.

Jesus Prays

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That they all may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou has loved me may be in them, and I in them.
John 17: 20-26

Boldness

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:29-31
My first thoughts were of those who to this day are persecuted because of their faith in Jesus. Those who live in places where it is dangerous for them to profess their faith. But I believe it also applies to us who the threat may not be prison or death but could be loss of a job or reputation. We all could use prayer to profess our faith in Christ with boldness. How awesome to gather in prayer with other believers and be in unity. To see the work of the Holy Spirit being done through us to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to a hurting world.

Discipline

It is easy to get discouraged and give up when we find it difficult to pray. When I get easily distracted or frustrated during prayer- giving up seems appealing. Sometimes it is easy to get weary. I find it hard to just let go of everything and seek the Lord. Prayer is an awesome privilege we have as children of God. Through Jesus we have access to the throne of our Creator. Reading His word often reveals how I am to pray. Praise and Worship helps me to focus on Him.
When you find it difficult to pray what do you do?

beginnings

We recently had a community prayer meeting and there is need to continue to have these meetings. There are many needs and not the least is the need for salvation. Other prayer concerns were addictions, poverty, spiritual apathy, repentance and abuse.