Join Sunday, 13 Nov 2011 for a 12 hour Prayer Call for IDOP for the Persecuted Church 8 am -8 pm (EDT)

[Linda Bemis]

 

IDOP  Official Website:   http://www.persecutedchurch.org/

 



Sunday 13 November 2011

 

12 Hour Prayer Call

for IDOP for the Persecuted Church

 

8 am – 8 pm (EDT)

  

Dial: 712.432.0031

Access is 452614#

 

Hosted by: The Persecution Watch

 

In collaboration with:

     Greater Calling Ministries

     GreaterCalling.org

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) on November 13th is a global day of intercession for persecuted Christians worldwide. Its primary focus is to encourage intercessory prayer on behalf of persecuted communities of the Christian faith.

 

Place and power of prayer:

• 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 - Prayer is desired and required for persecuted believers.
• Romans 15:30-33 - Our prayers help struggling believers.
• 2 Corinthians 1:10-11 - God works as we pray.
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:10-18 - Spiritual battle requires spiritual weapons.
• James 5:16b-18 - The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

Devotion

By Elizabeth Kendal International Religious Liberty Analyst and Advocate

Every Christian who has ever suffered persecution knows what it is to be tempted to doubt God's faithfulness. The wicked scoff and boast, prosper and advance. God's children suffer and die under the blows of tyrants and terrorist who have no conscience and no fear of God (Psalm 10:2-11). We cannot help but cry: "Why Lord?" (Psalm 10:1).

Yet Jesus warned us that persecution would come (John 15:18-16:33), indeed, that tribulation/pressure would be inevitable in this world (John 16:33a). "But," he added, "take heart! I have overcome the world" (v33b).

Our omnipotent (all-powerful) eternal God Yĕhovah is omnipresent (ever-present). He does not hide himself and is never far off, having promised: "Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20b). (See also: Deuteronomy 31:8; Hebrews 13:5-6). And all his interventions are defined and motivated by righteousness, justice and everlasting love (Hebrew: hesed).

When trouble rolled in, threatening life and liberty, King David exercised radical faith in his faithful God. He petitioned Yĕhovah (Psalm 10:12-18), confident that Yĕhovah would hear and not ignore the cry of the afflicted/humble (`anav) (Psalm 9:12).

You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry. (Psalm 10:17 NIV)

Our English translation is very soft compared to what this verse is actually saying, which is: Our eternal God (Yĕhovah) hears the desire / longings (ta'avah) of the afflicted / helpless / humble (`anav); he strengthens / makes firm / establishes (kuwn) their hearts, and always remains keenly, sharply attentive with ears pricked (qashab) to hear (Psalm 10:17).

It is in arrogance, folly and faithlessness that we invest our hopes in human beings (that are mortal), human institutions (that cannot save), human works (that are insufficient), political power (that is self-interested), military might (that is limited) and money (which can only buy what is unprofitable and useless).

If we will but petition our faithful God, then even if our cry is but a whispered prayer, delivered with heavy heart and failing breath from a dark and lonely place, our faithful Yĕhovah will hear because he has inclined / extended (natah) his ear toward us (Psalm 116:1-2). Sometimes, in wisdom and providence, God waits1 / tarries (chakah) to show grace and mercy (Isaiah 30:18a). That does not mean he has not heard. "Blessed are all who wait (chakah) for him" (Isaiah 30:18b). He has promised salvation. Cry / petition / pray / intercede with confidence to our faithful God who hears, and wait / keep watch (tsaphah) in faithful expectation (Psalm 5:1-3).

_________________________

1 Wait: as in "remain inactive in expectation (of something)" (Collins Concise Dictionary, Fifth Australian Edition)

 

Bible Readings pertaining to persecuted:

http://idop.org/pages/resources/bible-readings.php

 

Prayers for Worldwide Persecuted Church:

http://idop.org/pages/resources/prayers.php

 

 

Learn More Get Involved: 

Bible League P.O. Box 28000 Chicago, IL 60628 Phone: [phone] Christians in Crisis P.O. Box 293627 Sacramento, CA 95829 Phone: [phone]   International Christian Concern 2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941 Washington, DC 20006-1846 Phone: [phone]     Iranian Christians International P.O. Box 25607 Colorado Springs, CO 80936 Phone: [phone]   Jubilee Campaign USA 9689-C Main Street Fairfax, VA 22031 Phone: [phone]  Open Doors P.O. Box 27001 Santa Ana, CA 92799 Phone: [phone] The Voice of the Martyrs P.O. Box 443 Bartlesville, OK 74005 Phone: [phone]  World Evangelical Alliance P.O. Box 1530 Wheaton, IL 60189-8004 Phone: [phone]   World Help P.O. Box 501 Forest, VA 24551 Phone: [phone]   Christian Solidarity Worldwide USA P.O. Box 50608 Casper, WY 82605-0608 Phone: [phone]   Christian Freedom International PO Box 535 Front Royal, Virginia 22630 Phone: [phone]  Gospel for Asia 1800 Golden Trail Court Carrollton, TX 75010 Phone: 800-WIN-ASIA

 

The Persecution Watch hosts a call for the persecuted church each week on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday at 8 pm (CST). You are welcome to dial in and participate.

 

Dial: 712.432.0031

Access is 452614#

 

Need more information?

Contact Blaine  [e-mail]

[Linda Bemis]

Would you help to mobilize by sharing this info with your prayer groups? 

Info posted on the following two network groups

Pray! Network

http://ning.it/qUPndd

IFA Get America Praying

http://ning.it/mPMSjq