Continuing the Battle for Christ – Week 15

How should we respond to persecution?

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2 NIV84).

Have you ever noticed how someone’s face lights up when you smile and ask, “How are you doing?”  Even the hardest soul can be touched when someone takes even the slightest interest in them as a person.  We must never forget that every persecutor was created in God’s image, and God would like nothing more than to call them His children.  It’s our job to plant those seeds through acts of kindness.

How should we pray for the lost?

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9 NIV84).

Like many of you, I pray daily for several of my loved ones who have not yet accepted Christ.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts, bringing them to that point where they realize that they need a Savior.  Pray that He will fill them with the desire to know Christ as Lord and Savior. 

Leadership Prayer Focus This Week: Cabinet Members

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure” (Proverbs 11:14 NIV84). “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22 NIV84).

The members of the U.S. Cabinet hold two important roles.  They are in the line of succession if the President and Vice-President should die, but perhaps more importantly, they serve as advisors to the President. 

Pray that: They will give Godly counsel to the President.

               They will seek God’s guidance in the various positions that they hold.

               They will maintain honesty and integrity.

               They will seek the good of the nation and not their own wealth or power.

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)