Urgent Message

I would like to encourage everyone to take a moment to write to your congressional representatives to express your concern for Asia Bibi.  Asia is a Christian woman, wife, and mother of 2 girls who has been sentenced to death by hanging in Pakistan for the charge of blasphemy against Muhammad.  You can read more about her story and view a news report video at this link: Mother Condemned to Death.

Let me encourage you to hand write to your representatives.  Email is great but I have recently learned that our representatives are more apt to actually see your letter if you have taken the time to hand write it and mail it in.  If you do not know where to write you can use this link to find your representatives:  Contact Congress.

When you write ask that they will put public pressure on the Pakistani government to intervene and to set Asia free.  Ask that they make a public stand for the freedom of worship and freedom of speech.  Ask them to use their influence to have the world community to be involved in this tragic situation. 

Finally and most importantly, keep Asia and all persecuted believers in your prayers.

A Prayer For Persecution

During a meeting this week with several pastors one pastor was asked to pray. As he prayed he began to pray for our country and for revival. He then said something that I have never heard before in prayer. He prayed that our nation receive persecution. You read that right. He didn't pray that we would be free of persecution but that we would experience persecution. I admit I was a bit shocked at first to hear someone actually pray for persecution. However, after a second to realize that I heard him correctly I found myself saying, "amen." I knew why he had prayed that. I had after all alluded to the truth of his prayer in many sermons. However, I have never been so bold as to actually pray for persecution.

Now you may ask, why would anyone want persecution? The answer is quite simple. History has shown, current status of the Church around the world shows, and the Bible makes clear that persecution refines the Church. For as often as we pray for revival are we also willing to pray for the persecution? Are we willing to pray that we live sacrificially? Are we willing to pray that we be willing to take up our cross? Are we willing to pray for revival if it also means that we pray to no longer live comfortable, safe lives?

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV)"

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:12-14 ESV)"