Next week is International Day of Prayer (IDOP). It’s more than just one day of prayer but a week (6th – 13th November 2011) of Christians around the world committing to praying for Persecuted Christians. You can find out more on the IDOP website or on Thirteen Three’s website. We’ve got a report form Open Doors at church this Sunday night and I’m planning on having a spot on Friday night at Soulies for thoughtful prayer and reflection. We’ll also have a blog series on Soulies.net for the week. If you haven’t already, have a think about how you can commit to praying this week at home and in Christian gatherings.
One of the things I’m surprised by as I read of the first persecuted Christians in the Bible and then read of contemporary persecuted Christians (through books like Radical and the VOM newsletter) is that so often persecution is faced with unrelenting joy!
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. (Acts 5:40-42)
The Apostles keep getting told to shut up about Jesus, they don’t. They get beaten up and told to stop, they don’t! Instead they rejoice that they were considered worthy to suffer for Jesus and then keep telling people about Jesus!!
I recently read of Pastor Wong (in the latest Voice of the Martyrs newsletter). He’s from China. Check out this quote:
Wong was arrested five times in 2010. Each time he was warned to discontinue his Christian activities. “I will not stop my work,” he responded.
Wong’s response is just like that of the Apostles in Acts 5. You can’t shut him up!! He will keep preaching Jesus regardless of what happens to him.
Why would someone do that? This might seem like a pretty bizarre concept for someone who isn’t a Christian, perhaps even for those who are Christian! Eleven of the twelve Apostles eventually died a martyr’s death. Why would they do that? Why would Pastor Wong keep preaching Jesus even though he keep getting arrested?
I think it’s because following Jesus is worth losing everything for and the Apostles and Pastor Wong probably believe in this verse:
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
The only way to be saved is by trusting in Jesus. Jesus offers eternal life to those who trust in his death and resurrection. This is the good news people desperately need to hear. And any suffering in this life is light and momentary compared to the glory that awaits those who belong to Jesus.
It’s not yet IDOP, but perhaps pray now for Christians who are persecuted in Jesus’ name. Pray that God would enable them to persevere. Not a Christian? Consider Jesus.