“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels….”
“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” Luke 12.8-9,11-12 NLT
Peanut Gallery: It’s hard for me to imagine what life is like for persecuted Christians around the world. I’ve always enjoyed second amendment rights – freedom of speech and religion – which enabled me to share my faith freely… and openly. No one has ever wanted to kill me, or put me in jail for my beliefs.
Not so with millions of Christians around the world.
My purpose in posting, re: persecuted Christians/Church, is to enlarge my perspective in understanding and prayer… and in the process, perhaps yours as well.
This report of murder and mayhem in Nigeria is bad enough when we read about that night of terror. But it’s brought home personally when we read the names of the specific 25 known students killed and the 5 who escaped.
As you pray, please read aloud each of the names and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer…. And ask God to use this evil act for good – whether we can see, or understand, it or not.
“And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:27-28
Prayer: Father, we bring before You these 25 people who were killed in the Mubi massacre. You know each name; You wept over the trauma they sustained. Those who followed You in this life You have drawn into Your very presence. We weep today for their families, for those who were injured and saw friends killed before their very eyes, for those who cannot dispel the memories of that night. Replace the memories with a vision of Christ who is present with them. Comfort them, and give them courage to serve You each day, that even in the midst of the evil and darkness around them, You will be honored and glorified by their lives. In the name of Jesus who is our strength in the midst of our own weakness.
Those killed in the attack included:
1. Sebastine Bulus(Christian)
2. Ishaku Joshua (Christian)
3. James Joshua (Christian)
4. Lucky Emmanuel (Christian)
5. Irmiya Yohana (Christian)
6. Adamu Dakkawa (Christian)
7. Yunana Idris (Christian)
8. Amsel Idris (Christian) Continue reading “Please pray for Nigerian Christians – Christians Targeted in Nigerian Student Massacre in Mubi”
Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” Luke 12.1-3 NLT
Peanut Gallery: Please pray for believers in Nairobi. This report from Kenya personalizes the fear that many believers feel just thinking about going to church on any given Sunday.
Nairobi church stands strong after grenade kills boy, injures others (Compass Direct) See full article below –
Would you attend church or stay home under these circumstances? With kids, it’s an even tougher choice.
“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6.13 NLT
Please pray for courage and protection of believers in Kenya… and for the people and church leaders mentioned in this report:
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Nairobi church stands strong after grenade kills boy, injures others
‘What if it’s this Sunday?’ questioned congregation, yet did not give into fear
Nairobi, October 11 (Open Doors News) — “Every week we wondered ‘What if it’s this week?’ Yet every week we turned up for church.”
Speaking to Open Doors News just after her Oct. 9 return from the funeral of 9-year-old John Ian Maina, Nairobi Sunday School teacher Sally Gatei was in reflective mood. “I told the team I didn’t need counselling, but I’d not been back to the building for a few days, since it happened. When I did go back to the church, my heart was pounding. You think ‘You’re alright, you’re strong,’ but I am going to get some counselling now.”
Gatei was in the room when a grenade exploded at about 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 30 at St. Polycarp, of the Anglican Church of Kenya, on the Juja Road in Nairobi. The explosion killed the boy and injured eight other children. Sally’s own son had been in there, too, only three minutes before.
“The most amazing thing, though, is that, although we thought we should cancel Sunday school the next Sunday, most children insisted we should meet as usual, even though the room had not yet been repaired!” Continue reading “Please pray for believers in Nairobi – Nairobi church stands strong after grenade kills boy, injures others”
The Lord now chose seventy-twoother disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields….
“If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’” Luke 10.1-2; 8-9 NLT
