Prayer Journal

Sunday, November 12, 2000
317/49
Read the Bible through in OneYear

Today, we recognize the International Day of Prayer.

In America the church is blessed with prosperity and knows little to no persecution. In other places around the world it is a whole different story however. Scripture tells us that since the first church was born, it's been the target of those who sought to wipe it from the face of the earth.

Historians tell us that the persecution of Christians happens in three stages: disinformation, discrimination and persecution. First, Christians are robbed of their good reputation and any right to answer the accusations made against them. Secondly, discrimination renders Christians a ‘second-class ’ citizen with poorer legal, social, political and economic standing than the majority in the country. Finally, persecution with impunity is enacted without any protection afforded those under its influence.

We, as Christians should pray today and everyday for the church at home and abroad. There are also ways to empathize with our persecuted brothers. These activities enable an individual or a group to pray with insight: The material is based on an article by Johan Candelin, Re:http://www.idop.org/identify.htm

  1. Sing songs softly
    Most underground churches meet secretly and do not want neighbors to know of their presence. They love to sing hymns but they do it in hushed tones.
  2. Copy Scripture passages
    Each member of the group copies out by hand five or 10 verses and commits them to memory. Then all the writing paper is glued together to form a scroll which is given to one member.
  3. Pray until everyone hears from God
    The Chinese, for example, are known for their persistent praying. They will stay together for hours in the conviction that God speaks very powerfully when His people pray in groups. They believe everyone should hear from God, and is able to pray what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
  4. Get someone to read a Bible passage with long, unusual, and difficult words blacked out
    The reader will not be able to read the passage completely. It will sound disjointed and will not make sense. You are now identifying with illiterate peasants who form a huge part of underground churches in rural areas. Now read the same passage in a Children’s Bible. The illumination will be similar to what many illiterate Christians experience.
  5. Share experiences of suffering
    Each group member must share how they have suffered for Jesus since the last time the group met.
  6. Live a-verse-a-week
    Ask God for a verse from the Scriptures, then live every activity that week in the light of that verse. The following week, report back to the group all you have learned from the school of life about that particular verse.
  7. Pray "prison-style"
    Conditions in prison are harsh, and overcrowding is common. Mark out a square about 3.7 meters long (approx. 24 feet each way), then lie side by side in it, packed like sardines. From this position, pray for those in prison.
  8. Select and fund evangelists from the group
    Spend an evening deciding who has the gift of evangelism, where they should work – even if just part time and for a short time, commission them, and give or pledge money right then for the trip. Underground churches usually choose their evangelists young – normally under 25.
  9. Target the neglected sectors of your community in prayer
    Many underground churches spend an unusual amount of time in prayer for outlying unreached peoples in their country. Identify and target the unreached sectors of your own community in prayer.
  10. Walk miles to attend the group meeting
    Arrange to hold the meeting a few kilometers outside the township where the members live, then walk in groups of two or three to the arranged site.

(1) © 2000 World Evangelical Fellowship, Religious Liberty Commission
(2) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(3) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.

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