Continuing the Battle for Christ – Week 12

How should we respond to persecution?

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV84).

We live in a world that finds it easy to judge and condemn.  However, if we are to win the world to Christ, as the old saying goes, “You catch a lot more flies with honey.”  Jesus displayed righteous anger when He cleansed the Temple.  However, when He was unjustly tried, beaten, and crucified, He kept quiet.  Our patience, lack of anger, and gentleness will be far more effective in reaching the persecutors than our anger would ever be.

How should we pray for the lost?

“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.  And I will teach you the way that is good and right” (I Samuel 12:23 NIV84).

Too often, we see prayer as a last resort, when the most important thing we can do in any situation is to pray.  That is especially true as we attempt to reach the lost.  Pray that we will be walking examples of the love of Christ.  Pray that we will learn to teach them the way that is good and right with love.  Pray that God will give us the words and the boldness to pursue the loss.

Leadership Prayer Focus This Week: U. S. Senators

“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 United States Senate has the exclusive power to approve Presidential nominations, ranging from Cabinet Secretaries, Judges, and a host of other positions.  Since each state is represented equally in the Senate, it is often perceived as the more deliberate body of lawmakers.

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 deliberate carefully and thoughtfully, serving their constituents well.

They will 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)