Mission Fast Monday!

As we deal with the death of my grandfather, whose service is this morning, the finality of death and the reality of life are on my mind today. Would you fast and pray with me for the many who are dying every day for their faith?

Mission-fast Focus: John 15:19-21

Jesus, it is true that if we belonged to the world, it would love us as its own. As it is, we do not belong to the world, but You have chosen us out of the world. That is why the world hates us. Help us to remember the words You spoke to us: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

There are so many around the world being persecuted for their faith. Would you open our eyes to their plight, and soften our hearts to their cries. Would we be challenged by their faith, and stirred up to stand up for our faith when it isn't popular, and keep trusting God when people think we are foolish. It is so easy in some ways, and in others so difficult to be a Christian in America. But God, there are so many who do not even have the basic freedoms we have. And so be the lifter of their heads and the strength to keep singing. Thank you for their testimony. May we be more like them. Amen."

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For more information on the persecuted church check out Voice of the Martyrs: http://www.persecution.com/