ALL OUT FOR GOD

Sunday 30^th May: Go Barefoot On behalf Of The Persecuted

“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13: 3)

RELEASE INTERNATIONAL is an inter-denominational Christian ministry working through local church partners in 30 countries, helping persecuted Christians prayerfully, pastorally and practically. Their ministry is based on Hebrews 13: 3 as noted above. Release International was founded in 1968, inspired by the testimony and ministry of Pastor Wurmbrand who was imprisoned for his faith in communist Romania for 14 years. “I tremble because of the sufferings of those persecuted in different lands. I tremble thinking about the eternal destiny of their torturers. I tremble for Western Christians who don’t help their persecuted brethren. In the depth of my heart, I would like to keep the beauty of my own vineyard and not be involved in such a huge fight. I would like so much to be in quietness and rest. But it is not possible… The quietness and rest for which I long would be an escape from reality and dangerous for my soul… The West sleeps and must be awakened to see the plight of the capture nations.” (Tortured for Christ’ by Pastor Wurmbrand)

ALL OUT FOR GOD, organised by RELEASE INTERNATIONAL will be held on SUNDAY 30^th MAY. They are asking UK Christians to take a stand in solidarity with those who are walking a tough road due to persecution. ‘One way of doing that is to leave your shoes behind and go outdoors barefoot’ says Paul Robinson CEO of Release International. ‘As you walk around outside in step with those Christians who are in need because they are followers of Jesus, take a moment to feel the hard path or the soft grass on your feet and give thanks for all the material benefits we have while lifting up in prayer those of our families in greatest need.’ Before you go outside to pray, join RELEASE INTERNATIONAL for a Facebook Live event (also on You Tube at 3.00p.m.) to inspire your prayers. ALL OUT FOR GOD planned by Release International will be powerful and provide you with an opportunity to show solidarity with our persecuted family around the world.

There are other agencies which are also very active in working for the persecuted; who are mostly Christians. There is information available through: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Open Doors, Barnabas Fund, Bible Society and Tear Fund. In John 15:18 Jesus said, ‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.’ Millions of Christians are in danger of persecution, one Christian is martyred every 4-5 mins. Sometimes persecution is described as ‘smash’ and ‘squeeze’. ‘Smash’ includes violent persecution: threatening lives, safety and homes. Other Christians experience the ‘squeeze’ of discrimination and intolerance, such as refusing employment, denying services: education, health care and emergency food relief. COVID-19 has been another weapon in the hands of persecutors, as Christians face even greater persecution-last in line for food and aid, denied PPE or even blamed for the virus. (Open Doors) The church is active, the Church is alive, the church is growing; and that is why the church is persecuted. Open Doors keeps a world watch list of 50 of the world’s most dangerous countries in which to live if you are a Christian.

Nigeria is high on the list, in 2021 (to date) approximately 2,470 Christians have been killed. Rev Johnnie Moore says ‘A slow motion and largely ignored war is taking place in Africa’s most populous nation, and time is running out for the world to act.’  Bernard- Henri Levy, wrote in the Wall Street Journal, ‘It’s a massacre of Christians, massive in scale and horrific in brutality, and the world has hardly noticed. Leah Sharibu was one of 110 school girls aged between 11 and 19 who was abducted from their school in 2018. After negotiations with the Nigerian government the girls were returned to their families. Leah was not released because she refused to renounce her Christian faith and convert to Islam in exchange for her freedom. She is 18 years old and has been held captive for three years. There have been at least 63,000 victims of Boko Haram and the Fulani since 2000.

What can Christians do? 1) We have a special obligation to pray for our suffering brothers and sisters in Nigeria, and the other 49 countries where there is persecution. We should be inspired by their faith and tell their stories. We should pray the way we hope that someone would pray for us. These are believers drawn straight from the pages of the New Testament who are very willing to die for a faith which we are often barely willing to live for. 2) We should give generously, as someone would give for us; also we need to be advocates. Brother Andrew, Founder of Open Doors said “Our prayers can go where we cannot. There are no borders, no prison walls, no doors that are closed to us when we pray.”

A Prayer for the Suffering Church

Lord Jesus,
Your family are hungry,
They are in want of food,
Father, feed them
From your gracious loving hand

Lord Jesus,
Your family are strangers,
They are in want of acceptance.
Father, give them a home
According to your loving kindness.

Lord Jesus,
Your family are naked,
They are in want of covering.
Father, give them clothes.
According to the riches of your grace.

Lord Jesus,
Your family are sick,
They are in want of care.
Father, heal them.
In your unfailing compassion.

Lord Jesus,
Your family are in prison,
They are in want of hope.
Father, sustain them
With your everlasting faithfulness.
Gracious and eternal God of love,
hear our prayer
in the name of your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen

Patrick Sookhdeo 2019  

Church family, commit and participate in the RELEASE INTERNATIONAL event on Sunday 30^th May

Glynne Gordon-Carter