Tag: Christians

Please pray for Christian refugees from Syria in Lebanon

Peanut Gallery: Please continue to pray for displaced Syrian Christians… now finding refuge in Lebanon. The article below tells their story.

“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” Hebrews 13.1-3 NLT


Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the same compassion that you feel for strangers and refugees close to me… or far away. I remember especially today refugees from Syria. Use your people to feed them, clothe them, shelter them… and above all to love them. I ask it in your name.

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Bishop Expects Massive Influx Of Christian Refugees From Syria, Lebanon

Thursday, October 25, 2012 – By BosNewsLife Middle East Service
with additional reporting by BosNewsLife’s Stefan J. Bos

BEIRUT, LEBANON (BosNewsLife)– The Bishop responsible for Maronite Christians in Europe warned the Western world Thursday, October 25, that recent deadly attacks in Christian districts of Beirut and Damascus could “unleash” a massive “new wave” of Christian refugees.

Bishop Maroun Nasser GemayelIn remarks published by the ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ (ACN) group, Bishop Maroun Nasser Gemayel said Christians in the Middle East were longing for freedom and security and could therefore “be tempted to emigrate” to Europe or the United States, “despite their great love of their homeland.”

Bishop Gemayel said the situation in Syria’s capital Damascus already was dramatic, and “now many, including those in [Lebanon’s capital] Beirut, will believe that they can no longer live in safety even in the Christian quarters” despite their “great love of their homeland.”

Anti-Christian attacks last Friday, October 19 in Beirut and on Sunday, October 21, in Syria’s capital Damascus killed Continue reading “Please pray for Christian refugees from Syria in Lebanon” →

Morning Reading: Ephesians 4.14-16 Phillips NT

“We are not meant to remain as children at the mercy of every chance wind of teaching and the jockeying of men who are expert in the craft presentation of lies. But we are meant to hold firmly to the truth in love, and to grow up in every way into Christ, the head.

For it is from the head that the whole body, as a harmonious structure knit together by the joints with which it is provided, grows by the proper functioning of individual parts to its full maturity in love.” Ephesians 4.14-16 Phillips NT

Prepare now for “International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted 2012”

Peanut Gallery: Persecution.org has provided online resources for remembering Presecuted Christians around the World. Resource kits and Bulletin Inserts are available for church or personal use. Nov 11th is the target date but any Sunday will work.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

Please consider how you can help your circle of influence become more aware of the Persecuted Church. See article below.

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted 2012

Get resources to observe a day of remembrance on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted (November 11) or any time you want!

Every year, ICC produces prayer bulletins to help your church observe a “Day of Remembrance” for the persecuted. Most churches observe this on IDOP (International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted), which is held on the second Sunday in November, but it can be held any time. In fact, our bulletins are produced in such a way that they aren’t date specific so your church can observe a “Day of Remembrance” on November 11 or July 21…it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you take the time to educate your congregation about the plight of their persecuted brothers and sisters.

Resource Kits

In addition to prayer bulletins, we also have a CD “Resource Kit” that we’ve packed with information, presentations, and videos about the persecuted church. Pastors and church staff can call us (1-800-422-5441) to receive a free kit as long as we can ship it to a valid church address. The cost for all others is just $5.

Prayer Bulletin Inserts

This year, ICC is providing a free PDF for your congregation or small group to become better informed about the persecution that faces your brothers and sisters around the world. Just right-click on the image of the cover at left and choose “save link as” to download the flyer. If you left-click on the cover, click on the down arrow next to the “full screen” option in the far upper left corner of the viewer that appears to download and print the document as a standard PDF. When printing, please designate “booklet” to format correctly.

Song: “Say a Prayer for Me”

“Say a Prayer for Me” is a song written by Rhonda Daeumer to help inspire others to pray for the persecuted church. It is free for certain use, according to the following terms, and we hope it will bless you as you prepare for your day of prayer for the persecuted! Download.

Morning Reading: Hebrews 4.14-16 NLT

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4.14-16 NLT

Stand Up for Religious Freedom – “attacks threaten every American” – Washington Times

Peanut Gallery: Join a “Stand Up for Religious Freedom” rally near you. I’m headed for Charleston, SC this morning. You can find a rally near you here.

Even if you don’t quite understand what the big deal is, it ought to trouble you that the HHS mandate is such a big deal to so many — and not just to Catholics. Several Protestant institutions also have filed suit against the HHS mandate, including Wheaton College and Houston Baptist University.

SCHEIDLER: Religious freedom attacks threatens every American – Washington Times. By Eric Scheidler – Thursday, October 18, 2012

HHS mandate is only the beginning

Despite 10 months of controversy — including a public clash between the White House and the U.S. Catholic bishops, countless rallies and protests across the country and the filing of dozens of federal lawsuits — many liberals and independents remain puzzled by the fight over the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. They don’t understand how conservatives can insist that the HHS mandate constitutes an unprecedented attack on religious freedom.

The mandate, announced by the Obama administration in January and finalized in February, requires nearly all employers to provide contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs through their health plans, regardless of any moral objections. Continue reading “Stand Up for Religious Freedom – “attacks threaten every American” – Washington Times” →