Uncomfortable

 

 

 

ISIS.  Persecution.  Torture.  Martyrdom. 

As I reflect on the cruelty being done around the world to fellow Christians in the name of a false god, I can’t help but think that we are missing it.  We go about our Christendom in such ease that we take it for granted.  We take our comfort for granted.  What we want is available in different shapes and styles throughout our city to where we custom fit our worship time into what feels good and what fits into our schedule. We have that freedom and safety to do so week in and week out. I thank God we have the ability to openly serve Him like we do.  I’m thankful we can do it comfortably without fear of impending danger.  I pray that never changes, but I’ve had to ask myself:

 

Am I too comfortable?  Am I too snuggled into my American Christianity that I forget?  I forget others that God so dearly loves.

As we dress up in our "Sunday best", let's not forget those who are being stripped, beaten, raped, and shamed.  As we sit on our cushioned chairs, resting our feet on padded carpet, let’s remember the chains that hold our sister, and the small, dark cell that imprisons our brother.  As we breathe in the sweet aroma of coffee and cocoa that is available for us as we freely hear the Word preached, let’s not forget those who are experiencing the scent of death as they near their last breath.  As we sing in one accord to Him who is worthy, let’s remember the horrific cries of those who are being tortured because of their love for the very One we are worshipping.  As we see our children happily skip off to their Sunday school classes, let’s remember those parents that are watching their child be maliciously killed for their faith in Christ.  May we “hear” the terror in those sweet children’s voices as they come face to face with monsters far more evil than the ones your child feared was under their bed.  

 May these tragic truths open our eyes to a world much larger than our air-conditioned four walls.  May our comfort make us uncomfortable.   May it serve as a reminder of the vast difference others are experiencing.  May it make us uncomfortable to the point that we begin to bear their burdens in prayer.  Uncomfortable to the point that we do not take our comfort for granted.  May it  cause us to press into God’s presence like never before.  Crying out for the strength, the comfort, the deliverance of a family we have not yet met.

Lord,  We know You understand the suffering that our brothers and sisters around the world are going through right now.   You relate firsthand with being tortured as Satan stretches forth his hands through willing men and women.   You empathize with the pain of losing a child.  We may have moments of sadness and shock when we hear the stories, but we can’t even begin to comprehend the horror they are truly going through.  Lord, help us.  Help us to feel their agony so that we are moved to pray.  Forgive us for getting so comfortable that we neglect bearing others' burdens. 

 

We pray for those who daily anticipate the possible visit from ISIS or other radical groups.  Give them the strength to stand true to their faith in You.  Help them to not be paralyzed by fear and deny Your name.  We pray that those who are called to martyrdom, that the hope of heaven would consume them in such a way that even in the midst of this gruesome turmoil, their spirit has peace in knowing they will be with You.  We also pray for supernatural deliverance for others.  Send Your holy angels to stop the evildoers.  Open up opportunities of escape for Your people.  We also pray for the persecutors themselves. May the blinders be taken off of their eyes that they may see the Truth and be set free.

May we not take the freedom we have to hear Your Word for granted.  While the surplus of Your Word is available, may we get so filled up,  and build such a strong foundation and relationship with You.  Should that day come that we too are face to face with such evil, may we never deny the faith, but be faithful to You even to death.   Amen.

"Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.."  Hebrews 13:3 NLT

 

 

 

… and all those around the world – with your prayers.