Sunday, November 11, 2007

Persecuted Church

Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We have no idea what the Christians around the world go through in order to worship God. Did you know there are 18 Christians who die every hour because of their belief in Jesus? I can't imagine it. We had a very unique worship service today to help us understand, in a small way, what Christians in some countries go through to worship God. The doors going into the sanctuary were closed and paper was over the windows so we couldn't see in. There were black curtains going into the back hallway that we had to go through after we left our Bibles in the lobby. We were quietly led into the sanctuary through the side door. The chairs had all been turned around to face the back of the building. Reason? We have a cross up in front and in other countries a cross would not be allowed. There was no sound system used today. Hymns were printed onto sheets of paper and laying on the seats. A Cello, guitar, and drums played softly and we sang softly. We even sang silently! For scripture today folks were invited to stand and quote a verse from memory. I felt the Lord's presence as I listened to the verses being quoted. We really have no idea what other Christian folks go through to worship God. We take it for granted. Heavenly Father, I praise You because You are Omnipresent. Forgive me for taking You for granted. Life is too easy here. Thank you for loving me anyway. Help me to be a better witness for You. "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the Power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the gentile." Romans 1:16

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