Continuing the Battle for Christ – Week 11

How should we respond to persecution?

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9 NIV84).

When one is threatened or beaten or unjustly imprisoned, the human response is to fight back, and in many cases, that approach may be justified.  However, when one is persecuted for the sake of Christ, the goal is to reconcile the persecutor back to God.  That won’t happen in a combative relationship.  Christ desires us to build relationships with others, even our oppressors, just as He desires a relationship with us.  Love, compassion, and peace will go farther in building relationships than anger and hatred.

How should we pray for the lost?

“Therefore [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25 NIV84).

Jesus is not only the atoning sacrifice for our sins, but He is also the one who intercedes on our behalf with the Father.  It is our responsibility to also intercede on behalf of those who are lost.  Pray for encounters with Christ, through His Word, through other believers, and through dreams and visions.  May they realize that they have One who will speak to the Father on their behalf. (I John 2:1,2)

Leadership Prayer Focus This Week: Members of the House of Representatives

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1 NIV84).

The persons elected to the House of Representatives hold the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach government officials, and, in the event of a tie, elect the President of the United States.  Since they represent a small portion of their state, they should be more willing and able to respond to a citizen’s needs.

Pray that: They will recognize that they serve at God’s pleasure, not their own.

They will seek God’s guidance in each decision that they make.

They will avoid political expediency and serve their constituents well.

They will be fiscally responsible and serve with honesty and integrity.

For all our leaders, pray that if they do not already know Christ, they will accept Him as Lord.  For those who do know Christ, pray that they will stand firm on His Truth and His Word, never compromising it or minimizing it.

“Pray continuously” (I Thessalonians 5:17 NIV84)