5 Powerful Prayers for the People of the Cross
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I have a confession to make: I’ve stopped watching the news. I stopped watching because it either makes me incredibly sad, or it fills me with fear. I still follow the headlines a bit on twitter and the internet, but I refuse to watch another one-hour news report that is more like an episode of Jerry Springer than an informative documentary.
One thing I think we can all agree on is that these are dark times. The Bible warned us that as The Day of Christ return approaches we will face greater persecution. Matthew 24: 6-13 explains:
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
I want to endure to the end. I want to stay faithful to my Jesus in these difficult days. I want to be counted as one of the People of the Cross.
Recently, my pastor reminded me that the People of the Cross have always faced persecution and opposition. Paul was stoned for proclaiming His faith. Why am I surprised that suffering is part of the life of the believer?
In looking at the life of Paul, I see that he was a man who believed in the power of prayer. He often asked the church to intercede on his behalf so that he could proclaim the Gospel with freedom. Following his example, I want to fight on my knees for my brothers and sisters around the world…
I’m sharing “Five Powerful Prayers for the People of the Cross” over at Missional Women today.
Matthew 24 is unfolding before our eyes. I think we thought we were exempt from things others have gone though through the ages and around the world. Yes, I want to be found faithful through the end.
This year really has been a wake up call. Hasn’t it? May I never forget that we are called to “Watch and Pray.”
Beautifully said. 🙂