Nov 9, 2016
This Sunday I encourage you to join others around the world who are praying for the persecuted church. (More at www.Idop.org) The Apostle Paul talks of “participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.” (Col 1:24) We are also commanded to remember “those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” (Hebrews 13:3) Our church supports several ministries in countries where the church is persecuted and believers feel the physical pain in their own bodies; Turkey, Indochina, the Balkans, and India.
Today, I encourage you to pray for our partners in India and the Connection Pointe team that is there right now, giving pastoral care to the Christian leaders. We have already received texts from Buddy and Drew, and heard Miss Pearl on video speaking to the Indian church.
To help you pray in a fresh way, I want you to see Col 1:1-2. I have only changed the names to help you understand how scripture can be used to pray:
This letter is from Victor, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Prakash. We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Varnasi, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.
Our Indian partners Victor and Prakash are modern-day pioneers in bringing the hope of Christ to Varnasi, Delhi, Kolkotta and other cities of their land. Many of the words in Colossians could have been written by them to the Indian house churches:
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.
From this verse a prayer for India can be formed:
“Dear God, we ask you to give the Indian Christians complete knowledge of your will. We ask you to do this by giving them spiritual wisdom and understanding, through your Word where it is available, and through your Holy Spirit.”
As you pray for the persecuted church, let Colossians 1:1-14 be your guide. Be creative and courageous in using those scriptures to give you words to pray for our persecuted friends around the world, and to pray for our team in India.
Til next week,
Dan
