 |
------------------------------------------------------------
IDOP - INTERNATIONAL DAY of PRAYER for the PERSECUTED CHURCH
9 or 16 November 2003
------------------------------------------------------------
We are told to expect persecution (John 15:18-16:4). However,
because persecution is sinful, evil and unjust, we can never accept
it. Sin, evil and injustice displease the Lord and so they must also
displease us (Isaiah 59:15b,16a). It is imperative that we pray.
Prayer is not a passive act of pious or transcendental tripping.
Prayer is an intensely practical faith experience whereby we enter
God's presence (Hebrews 12:1,2). True prayer is also an act of great
humility whereby we acknowledge our total dependence upon God.
Above all, prayer is a means of serious spiritual warfare, and the
earnest prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective
(James 5:16b). As Samuel Chadwick noted, 'Satan dreads nothing but
prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears
nothing from our prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless
religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks our wisdom, but trembles when
we pray.' Satan knows the power of prayer because he knows the power
and plan of God - that is why he trembles.
IDOP 2003 - A PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
----------------------------------------------
Dear Father,
We know that Christ is building his Church. We see the evidence of
it as people are coming to Christ from every tribe, language, people
and nation. We praise you for your redeeming love, transforming
power and gracious mercy. We know that Christ is supreme over all.
Please, dear Father, help us fulfil the will of Christ and become
ONE Church in spirit. Transform our selfish hearts into hearts that
love one another as you love us. We ask for the Holy Spirit to
enable us to feel your love for your children, even when it hurts.
Give us the deep compassion for our brothers and sisters that will
drive us to prayer for them.
We are faced with so many situations that are completely beyond us -
whole regions that are oppressed, and nations tearing apart in
violent conflict. We confess that many of these terrible situations
persist because we have been unfaithful in witness, righteousness
and prayer, and uninterested in suffering and injustice. We repent
of our sin, ask for your forgiveness, and seek your mercy for those
who suffer.
Father, we pray for our brothers and sisters who suffer under
Islamic oppression and jihad, for those who live under Communist
oppression, and those persecuted where violent, militant religious
nationalism is rising. We remember those humiliated by ridicule,
scorn and discrimination because they love and follow Jesus and
will not compromise for the sake of personal peace or prosperity.
We pray for those in prison and concentration camps, for those who
grieve, and for those who are homeless on account of Jesus. We ask
that your Holy Spirit, who is present within each one, will
comfort, encourage, revive and counsel them. May they be assured in
the depths of their hearts that nothing can separate them from your
love (Romans 8:35-39). We ask you Lord, to intervene and bring
justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1,4).
Father, we pray for those who persecute the Church. We know they do
this because they do not know you (John 16:3). Please may the Holy
Spirit in us help us to love them, pray for them, and be courageous
in our witness to them. We pray that by the power of the Holy
Spirit, all persecutors will come under conviction of their sin. We
pray for many of those miracles of transformation that turn
persecutors into preachers (Galatians 1:23). We pray that you will
establish leaders in the nations who will be committed to justice,
righteousness, peace and religious freedom so that Christians can
live in peace and security and the gospel can be preached to
desperately needy, lost and dying souls (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Finally, we ask that your Holy Spirit will help us to prevail in
prayer, not giving up, not distracted, not fooled by the tricks of
the devil, but compelled by love into prevailing prayer, with true
hearts fully trusting you (Hebrews 12:1-2). For we know that we are
ultimately wrestling not with men, or governments, or systems, but
we are fighting against principalities and powers of darkness
(Ephesians 6:10-18). We know we cannot do this on our own, so we
humbly ask for your direction and for your help. Please deliver us
from the evil one.
'We do not ask because we deserve help, but because you are so
merciful.' (Daniel 9:18b)
AMEN
-------------
- Elizabeth Kendal
*** Please see IDOP 2003 CRITICAL PRAYER REQUESTS (CPR) FOR
STRATEGIC NATIONS - specific prayers for 21 nations (with
maps), set out in the WEA RLC IDOP Resource Pack (on CD ROM or
printed), or visit <http://www.idop.org>. [We have no updates or
changes to make to the CPR as originally issued.]
----------------------------------------------------
Previous RLPs may be viewed at
http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/
If you downloaded this message from a website or it
was forwarded to you, you may receive future editions
by sending an empty e-mail to <join-rl-prayer@xc.org>
Please send this RLP to others, with attribution to
World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Religious Liberty
Prayer List <rl-prayer@crossnet.org.au>
----------------------------------------------------
© 2004 Radio Free China
Last Update: 4/4/2004; 9:43:55 AM
|
|
|
