This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15From time to time, as many of you know, I feel constrained to write a post about those of Christ's church who are persecuted for their faith. But a post that Stacy Harp made yesterday at the persecution blog made me think. I don't pray enough for the persecutors. If you can, read Stacy's post--it's real food for thought.
I know it may be difficult to hear about some of the horrible atrocities that are committed against Christians and then turn around and pray for God's mercy and grace towards the perpetrators, but I do agree that the Apostle Paul, former persecutor and blasphemer, is a reminder that there is no category of man which is outside of the grace of our God.
Do you pray for the persecutor as well as the persecuted? My confession: I don't. At least not often enough. So as Stacy is reminding us, Paul teaches us a lesson about this.
9 comments:
Maxine, I love the balance of this. I don't pray for the persecutor, either, but this is a powerful reminder of God's love. Jesus prayed for those who put him on the cross! Thanks for the reminder!
Maxine ~ A powerful and convicting reminder. Thank you.
and this is a lesson that I needed to hear... I am afraid that I do not pray for the persecutor as well as the persecuted...
I am guilty as charged...
thank you for the conviction...
Mimi
I certainly don't pray enough--and I appreciate your much needed reminder.
Blessings to you!
Oh but for the grace of God, where would any of us be? Great reminder dear Maxine :)
I definitely pray more for the persecuted than the persecutor. BUT...I think since your post on the orphanage in Kenya, I've reconsidered my reluctance and prayed more for God to change the hearts of the persecutor since that is definitely a way in which God does choose to work without always taking someone out of the situation. The end result is that God is glorified more.
Wow-- this is convicting. I'll have to go read Stacy's post that you are referring to.
This is real growth by the grace of God...to realize the perpetrators' need for Jesus...then to earnestly pray for them.
Good post, my friend. Very convicting and very much needed. I thank you for it.
Hi, Maxine,
I confess I don't pray for the persecutor all that much either.
Thanks for the reminder and the link to Stacy's..
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