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Prayer for the Persecuted
Church |
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by |
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Pastor Mark Surbrook |
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In 2005, a Vietnamese pastor was told by
local authorities that he could expect to see trouble if his church
continued to operate without a permit. "Be careful," one official told
him. "Watch out," threatening him as much as warning. In many other
Communist (and some Islamic) countries, governments commonly deny or
delay church permits, then jail Christians for meeting without a permit.
The pastor shot back: "I don't have to watch out or be careful; God
will care for us. Your persecution has made us stronger." We love you.
"You can shut down our churches, jail us, and torture us. It doesn't
matter, because we'll still love you, and God loves you and wants to see
you come to know Christ's salvation."
Then Pastor Silas asked the official if he didn't feel badly about
mistreating Christians and said he suspected it was tearing him up
inside. The official stalked away. Late one night, he came back. When
the pastor heard him knock on the door, he assumed he was going to be
hauled off to jail. Pastor Silas invited him in, and in tears the
officer told him how he did, indeed, feel badly about forcibly
restraining Christians from worship. Most upsetting, though, was that he
feared for his job if he did not beat and harm Christians. Pastor Silas
told this officer that God had a plan for his life, and that He would
care for him and guide him if he would only follow his son, the Lord
Jesus Christ. Before the night was over, the officer prayed to receive
Jesus Christ as his Savior.
But there’s more. This Christian officer now advanced to a high
position, without bribes. Now he knew when church raids were about to
take place, and would tip off Pastor Silas. These miracles could not
have happened without the prayers of believers worldwide. God can
forgive the worst of sinners and make them a blessing to the whole
church. Pray for the persecuted church! |
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