Prayer

I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one.
John 17:15 (NET)

I had a mix of thoughts when I read this verse: firstly, how precious that Jesus prayed in such a way for his disciples: those with him at the time. But his prayer was also for all of us who would believe and receive his gift of salvation down through the ages. My second thought was how good that we can remain in this world and enjoy its beauty that God originally created for us to enjoy.  But on the other hand Jesus knew what it would mean for his followers to be left on this earth....temptation, persecution, heartbreaks, frustrations, pain, grief and trials of various kinds.  That's why he prayed as he did, "that you would keep them safe from the evil one."  Jesus himself interceded for us. Yes, you and me!

Jesus saw the 'big picture'.  He himself suffered much opposition, persecution and ridicule while he walked this earth.  In fact there were times that crowds would have killed him long before his ministry time was finished but God kept him until his appointed time. (Interestingly that time was the Passover, because Jesus was to be our Passover Lamb, the one sacrificed for our sins.  His death was a fulfilment of the old Law, and because God does everything perfectly and according to his plans, the sacrifice of His Son fitted perfectly into the Jewish calendar.)

Jesus knew that his disciples down through the ages would have to endure much persecution too.  In Matthew 10 Jesus spoke much of the persecution the would follow his disciples and he said in 10:24,
The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord."  We know that his disciples had taken that on board because in Acts 5:41 we find them rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer for him.

In many of our countries we are not experiencing great persecution.  (Perhaps because we are too silent in speaking out about Jesus and His love for our world, and standing up for his ideals.) However at this very moment there are thousands upon thousands of our precious brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering much persecution for their faith, in prison and out of prison.  Let us join our prayers with Jesus' prayer and pray that God will keep them strong, faithful, courageous and bold, able to count themselves worthy to suffer for His sake.  Pray as Hebrews 13:3 instructs us to pray......
"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."

Prayer: Father God, help me to remember to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for your sake.  Strengthen them, encourage them, make them bold for you, send your Holy Spirit to comfort them and your angels to minister to them. In Jesus' name. Amen