Thought for the Week - 5th November 2023

 

Dear Friends,

The first Sunday in November always marks the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), an opportunity to remember and pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ around the world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. From the Release International magazine, Voice of Persecuted Christians, we read the story of Twen Tedros from Eritrea. Twen was 21 and had been a Christian for only two years when she was arrested and imprisoned in 2004 and then again in 2005. She was sent to Mai Serva prison near Asmara where she spent nearly three years locked in a metal shipping container. During the daytime the prison guards shut the door and window of the container making it very difficult for the prisoners to breathe. Twen called out to God for help and some verses from 1 Peter 4 came to her, ‘Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ…’ Twen said, ‘When I received this verse I felt the Holy Spirit in my heart. I started to rejoice and to breathe – I don’t know how. It was like Daniel’s friends alive in the fire. God wanted to show His glory in my life.’ Twen spent a total of 16 years in prison and suffered terribly during that time. However reflecting on her time in prison and all the suffering she endured she said, ‘The grace of God made everything possible. I feel so blessed to participate in Christ’s suffering.’ (https://releaseinternational.org/idop/).    In his second letter to the believers in Corinth, the apostle Paul says that ‘we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body’ (2 Corinthians 4:7-10). That treasure is the message of the salvation in Jesus Christ which has been entrusted to us, and it is our responsibility to let people see God through us.

Grace and peace,

Neil

                                                  

A prayer for persecuted Christians (taken from Anglican Aid, Australia)

Eternal Father, almighty shepherd of your people, you have promised that those who follow Jesus will be persecuted. We pray for your children around the world who are suffering mistreatment, imprisonment, loss of possessions, and threats of death for their allegiance to you. By your mighty power keep them faithful to you. Be their shield and defence, their refuge and their stronghold. Shelter them under the shadow of your wings, that they may not fear their enemies. Help us to uphold them in prayer, that together we may walk in the light of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and not be ashamed to confess him as Lord. To the glory of your name, Amen.

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