Continuing the Battle for Christ - Week 6

 How should we respond to persecution?

          “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NIV84).

          As Christ died on the cross for our sins, He forgave those who unlawfully tortured and ultimately killed Him.  This past Sunday, we recognized the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, an acknowledgment of the 1000’s of Christians who are persecuted daily because of their faith.  However, this week, I want to focus on those who are doing the persecuting.  Like those who crucified Christ, they do not understand and maybe have never heard the Truth of the Gospel message.  Pray that our persecuted brothers and sisters will be bold witnesses to those who seek to harm, torture, and even kill them.

How should we pray for the lost?

          “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Romans 1:16 NIV84).

          If we truly care about those who are lost, we must not be ashamed of the Gospel but be willing to speak the Truth boldly and with love.  Pray that we will be willing to speak up for Christ at every opportunity.

Leadership Prayer Focus This Week: City Mayors

“We have different gifts according to the grace given us.  If a man’s gift is… leadership, let him govern diligently” (Romans 12:6a & 8d NIV84).

          While the leaders of our cities are not the sole authority in how the cities are governed, they often set the vision and tone for the community.

          Pray that:   They will remember that they serve all the people.

                            They will be fiscally responsible.

                            That they will serve with honesty and integrity.

                               That they will be wise in their decisions and choose their subordinates wisely.

 For all our leaders, pray that if they do not already know Christ, they will accept Him as Lord.  For those who do know Christ, pray that they will stand firm on His Truth and His Word, never compromising it or minimizing it.

 

“Pray continuously” (I Thessalonians 5:17 NIV84)

 

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