June 7, 2017 – Prayer Focus
24/7 National Strategic Prayer Call – Wednesday, June 7, 2017
“A CALL TO THE WALL…ONE NATION UNDER GOD!”
Call in: 712-770-4340 enter code: 543555 #
Strategic Focus for Wednesday
Christian Persecution
“If one part is suffering, then all the members suffer alongside it.
If one member is honored, then all the members celebrate alongside it.”
I Corinthians 12: 26
Today, we continue to shift our attention even further away from ourselves and refocus on Our Beloved Lord! As we gaze upon our Beloved, we become aware of others around His throne who are also lovingly gazing upon Him. In the light of His Presence, all else is diminished…all else seems insignificant…He is ALL IN ALL!
Standing there together, beholding Him Whom we all love so dearly, we remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering, being persecuted and even tortured and killed for their faith! The grim reality is that around the world, there is an anti-Christ spirit that is prowling about, seeking those who follow Him…wanting to destroy as traces of those who serve HIM!
Here are some startling facts. Each month, 322 Christians killed for their faith; 214 churches and Christian properties destroyed; 772 forms of violence committed against Christians. (Opendoorsusa.org)
Today, let us lift the arms of our brothers and sisters around the world, targets of those who seek to deprive them of their basic human rights, committing heinous actions, as well as taking their lives and destroying families. May those who are enduring disrespect, abuse and atrocity be empowered by Holy Spirit to exhibit the character of Jesus Christ, who when persecuted Himself, stood silent, without rancor or retaliation. While enduring the cross but despising the same, Jesus intentionally persevered to fulfill the will of the Father.
Pray:
- That the grace of the Father will so envelop those who are suffering that even their persecutors will be brought to repentance.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.
Matt 5:10
- That the God of all grace and comfort through His Holy Spirit will not only enable those who are suffering directly but include those of the family, friends, etc.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4:7
- That wherever believers live in this world, but especially those who live in more dangerous parts of the world, that they would be endowed with wisdom from on high so as to avoid any snare which would bring them into harm’s way.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.
Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matt 10:16
Turning toward our own homeland, traditional American Christians have long been on the losing end of culture-war contests and we recognize that our “religious expression” is under attack as we are persecuted for our faith. According to Pew Research:
- The % of Americans who describe themselves as religiously affiliated has shrunk while the % of unaffiliated has grown from 2007 to 2014.
- The % who say they are “absolutely certain” God exists fell to 63% from 71% during the same time period.
- Only 77% of Americans described themselves as religiously affiliated in 2014, down from 83% in 2007.)
Secularism and secular humanism have catapulted mockery of Christianity into the mainstream and set a new low for criticism of people’s most cherished beliefs and the “faith of our fathers” is controversial as never before.
Pray for:
- The many faithful have paid huge prices for their beliefs.
- Those who are attacked by anti-Christian activists who hurl smears like “bigot” and “hater” at them for holding traditional beliefs about marriage.
- Those who are pro-life/anti-abortion who are accused of waging a supposed “war on women.”
Some Christian institutions face pressure to conform to secularist ideology—or else.
Pray for:
- Flagship evangelical schools who have had their accreditation questioned;
- Home-schooling groups attacked as being a “Christian thing”, and even called child abuse.
- Student groups like Inter Varsity have been kicked off campuses.
- Christian charities, including adoption agencies, Catholic hospitals and crisis pregnancy centers who have become objects of attack.
The “war” on Christianity here is real, but the horrors of ISIS-led genocide against Christians in the Middle East seems so much greater than anything we suffer! Yet we must also acknowledge that when some Americans citizens are fearful of expressing their religious views, something has wormed its way into our culture, attempting to undermine our foundations with an insidious intolerance for religion that has no place in a country founded on religious freedom.
Sources: Pew Research and an article by Mary Eberstadt
Regular Christians Are No Longer Welcome in American Culture
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Hineni, Adonai! Here I am, Lord!
Engaging in a Warfare of Love!
The Battle of the Bride!
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*** Today is Day 3 of “50 Dayz A Blaze” – pray for Arizona. ***
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