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Today is Voice of the Martyrs International Day of Prayer for the persecuted
church. We join with our Christian brothers and sisters around the world who
boldly witness for Christ at any cost. Much of what I share this morning will come
from them.
Have you ever uttered a “generic” prayer? Have you ever wondered,
Does my prayers really matter?
Why should I pray?
What should I pray?
Let’s look at Apostle Paul, once named Saul and a persecutor of Christians, who
was miraculously saved when the risen Christ revealed Himself on the road to
Damascus as he was headed to persecute more believers. Paul, who was a
missionary apostle to the Gentiles, was beaten, imprisoned, ship wrecked and
mocked for the sake of Christ. We know him as author of much of our New Testament, which includes letters he wrote to the churches he helped establish as
outposts of the gospel on missionary frontiers.
But Paul was also fervent in his intercessory prayer for fellow believers. He
includes prayers for the saints of God no less than 42 times in his writings!As we
look at one of those prayers, which is found in Paul’s letter to the church at
Thessalonica, it is helpful to understand something about the believers’ situation.
The church at Thessalonica is one that Paul personally established during his
second missionary journey. His time in Thessalonica was cut short by an uprising
by Jewish leaders (see Acts 17:5–10). This second missionary journey is thought to
have occurred in A.D. 50, and the writing of the first of the Thessalonian letters
shortly after that.
His second letter to the Thessalonians was written during his longer stay in Corinth,
probably less than a year later (which would have given time for him to have
received a reply to his first letter that likely included some alarming news — “For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies”
[2 Thessalonians 3:11]).
We know from Acts 17:1–9 that Paul’s gospel preaching and teaching in
synagogues in Thessalonica resulted in opposition, which subsequently led to the
extortion of new believers by local authorities.
Before we jump into Paul’s specific prayer for persecuted Christians, let’s consider
how we should think about persecution.
General troubles in our fallen world are a type of suffering that every person
experiences; both believers and nonbelievers lose their jobs, get life-threatening
illnesses, weather storms, etc.
But suffering for the sake of righteousness (1 Peter 4:13–17) is a specific opposition
that every biblical disciple, no matter where they live, most likely will experience as
a result of their bold and faithful witness. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, it hated me first” (John 15:18). We are seeing that more and more, especially in this
years elections.
What is the difference between these two types of suffering?
Christian persecution follows this pattern:
CHRISTIAN FAITH (which results in the ACTION of a bold and faithful witness
of Christ)
+ A PERSECUTOR (individual or group that opposes the witness of Christ and His
message)
+ ATTACK (the motive being, to silence the witness)
= Persecution
Let’s look briefly at Paul’s encounter in Thessalonica, we find that in Acts 17:1-9 CHRISTIAN FAITH (remember that results in the ACTION of a bold and faithful
witness for Christ)
Acts 17:3–4 Tells us (Paul) explaining (3 days in the synagogue) and proving it
was necessary for Christ to suffer and rise from dead (some were persuaded) He
was boldly proclaiming the gospel.
A PERSECUTOR (the individual or group opposed to the witness of Christ and His
message)
(Acts 17:5) but the Jews (leaders)
ATTACK (the motive being to silence the witness)
(vv. 5–9) jealousy, uproar, lies, extortion Quote: “There were two kinds of Christians: those who sincerely believe in God
and those who, just as sincerely, believe that they believe. You can tell them apart
by their actions in decisive moments.” —Richard Wurmbrand quoting Girolamo
Savonarola, from In God’s Underground
READ 2 THESSALONIANS 3:1–5 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be
honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and
evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and
guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that
you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your
hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Paul is a persecuted Christian (also a former persecutor). Before he prays for the
persecuted believers in Thessalonica, he asks his brothers and sisters for prayer.
Paul demonstrates, by asking for prayer, that his ministry of advancing the gospel is
dependent upon the prayers of God’s people. Paul’s specific requests lend insight to the focus of our prayers for persecuted Christians. This is authentic relationship of
prayer for one another.
• Paul’s prayer request of the believers in Thessalonica:
» “That the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored” (v. 1).
• Similar to the Thessalonian story — Paul wrote from either Athens or
Corinth, and his desire was for God’s Word to prevail there as it had in
Thessalonica.
• Speed ahead — Speed indicates a lack of obstacles (speed bumps are
installed on roadways to slow vehicles down).
– What are some known obstacles to the speed of the Word of God in our
city? Our world? How can we pray that these speed bumps will be overcome?
• Honored — We typically hold value to the weight of that which we honor.
Honor is the foundational belief in the life of the hearer of God’s Word, because if the Word is honored it is more likely to be received. The Holy
Spirit’s work is a convincing work. The Holy Spirit works in the life of the
hearer to convince him or her to accept as truth the facts regarding Jesus in
His Word (John 16:8).
– Who in your life needs to have a mindset shift (brought about by the
Holy Spirit) to honor God’s Word so that they might receive the message of
the gospel?
• Word of God to be unbound — (2 Timothy 2:9) Paul reminded Timothy that
the Word of God is not bound by chains and is loosened to lead us to
salvation.
– Recently I read that The Voice of the Martyrs is praying and working to
ensure that every believer in a hostile area and restricted nation will own a
copy of God’s Word. Might we join them in praying that God’s Word will not
be bound by the oppression of hostile and restrictive governments and
communities.
» “that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men”
• Delivered — God can choose to answer this prayer in several different ways,
and each one can be the will of God:
– Might be That those imprisoned by wicked and evil captors will be released
from captivity. May we pray that their release advances the gospel.
– Could be That those imprisoned by wicked and evil captors will be
delivered from the torture and anguish of prison to a joy in God’s current
assignment. May we pray that their joy advances the gospel.
– Maybe That those imprisoned may be delivered to their heavenly reward,
passing from this life, as they faithfully endured the oppression of wicked and
evil captors to the end. May we pray that their deaths glorify God and lead many
to faith, and may we pray that the God of all comfort will comfort their families.
• Rationale — Each of the results above are for the advancement of the message
of salvation through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
– In another letter to a church, Paul indicates that for him to live is Christ and
to die is gain. That mindset should be one we embrace (Philippians 1:21). We
should not be fearful to share the gospel.
• Promise — The Lord is faithful to establish us and guard us from Satan.
– In the midst of our bonds, we know that we are in the hands of a loving and
powerful God who meets our every need.
• Leads to confidence to obey for persecuted believers.
– Our perspective and our commitment to follow Jesus no matter the cost will
lead to continued obedience.
2. The heart of Paul’s prayer for persecuted Christians in Thessalonica:
» May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and steadfastness in Christ
(v. 4).
• God does direct the hearts of believers.
– The word direct is from the Greek root kuros, from which we get the words
LORD and MASTER.
» Refers to the supremacy of God as LORD.
» Implies the submission of man.
– Literally the prayer is, “May the Lord master your heart” or “May the LORD
lord your heart.” May we pray that in all things the Lord God is the master of the
hearts of our persecuted brothers and sisters as they serve as bold and faithful
witnesses.
• The direction of God leads to love — always (v. 4).
– This lording of our hearts by the Lord God results in love.
» It May seem counterintuitive that one’s master is loved.
» Our love for our LORD leads to an alignment in love regarding the idea that
God is good (may be difficult to believe, but it is still true).
• God is good!
– Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God
alone.” (Jesus speaking)
• God’s plan is always good!
– Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work
together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
• God’s provision for His children is good!
– James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights.”
• The result of loving God is steadfastness in Christ.
– Jesus is the source of our salvation (Hebrews 5:9).
» Our salvation puts us in right relationship with God.
» Our salvation ensures purpose on earth.
– Jesus is the living hope of our future (1 Peter 1:3–4).
» A hope that cannot perish, fade or be defiled.
– Jesus is the source of our steadfastness (Hebrews 12:1–3).
» As we fix our eyes on Jesus
• HE Endured the cross
• HE Despised the shame
• HE is at the right hand of God
How do you think Paul’s prayers for persecuted Christians in Thessalonica (both his
prayer in this letter and his unrecorded prayers) were answered? How did his
prayers meet the needs of the persecuted believers in Thessalonica?
In Paul’s writings, there is no named leader of the church at Thessalonica other than
Timothy, Paul’s mentee who was assigned to work there for a season.
Some may be disappointed to learn that Paul’s prayers were not God honored in a
grand visible way. Evidently, Paul’s prayers did not launch the church at
Thessalonica to the top of a list of great and powerful churches, and yet we are still
talking about the church at Thessalonica almost 2,000 years later.
The reality is that many, if not most, of the answers to our prayers will be a mystery
until we are in heaven. An unknown answer should neither deter our prayers nor
weigh us down with worry or anxiety. The unknown nature of the answer to our
prayers is a faith-building activity in our intimate relationship with God.
Our prayers should build a faith that knows we have a God who hears us (Psalm
66:19), that acts according to His good measure (Philippians 2:13) and that
celebrates our privilege of entering His holy presence with boldness (Hebrews
4:16).
If the Apostle Paul could pray fervently for fellow believers and perhaps never see
the answer this side of heaven, we would do well to do the same. There certainly is
a need. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing the evils of persecution
because of their bold and faithful witness each day in over 70 hostile areas and
restricted nations. It is our privilege to stand with them by lifting their needs to the
throne of grace. Paul’s prayer helps us know how and what to pray.
ILLUSTRATION OF THE POWER OF PRAYER:
In the introduction to this message, I asked a question that many believers wrestle
with (some without uttering a word):
“Does my prayer really matter?” Petr Jašek (Peter YAH-shek) has worked with The
Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) to help aid and assist persecuted Christians in hostile
areas and restricted nations for more than 20 years. His background in hospital
administration was beneficial in his role overseeing VOM’s efforts to provide
medical care to Christians injured by Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria.
As Petr traveled to meet with persecuted believers, he encouraged them with stories
from his own experience growing up as the son of a pastor who was persecuted in
communist Czechoslovakia.
In December 2015, Petr’s life changed dramatically when he was arrested at the
airport in Khartoum, Sudan, after meeting with Christians there to evaluate how
VOM could best serve them. Instead of continuing his work with imprisoned
Christians and their families, Petr became a prisoner himself.
Instead of delivering VOM aid to families of persecuted Christians, Petr needed
VOM to help and support his own family. The Czech government negotiated Petr’s
release after his conviction and life sentence on charges of espionage in February
2017. Petr experienced times of discouragement, but he also found God’s
faithfulness to be real and true in prison.
He turned his imprisonment into an opportunity to grow in Christ, sharing his faith
with others and encouraging the Christians imprisoned with him. Throughout Petr’s
445 days in prison, VOM and Christians around the world stood with his family
through prayer and other means of support.
Does my prayer really matter? Petr said, “The more I felt emotionally depleted in
this prison, the more the Lord lifted me up through the restorative power of his
Word, through the healing presence of his Spirit, and through the ministry He
allowed me to have in the Al-Huda prison chapel. I also knew that my church back
home in the Czech Republic was praying and fasting regularly for me.
I had not been forgotten by them, and I had not been forgotten by God. I found
myself right in the Lord’s will and purpose.” As we pray for our persecuted brothers
and sisters, let us lift them boldly to the throne of grace, as modeled by the Apostle
Paul.
God is glorified as we prayerfully enter into the sorrows and victories of other
members of the global body of Christ. We weep with them in their suffering and we
rejoice with them as they experience eternal victories through the advance of the
gospel.
Prayer is communication with God. The biblical examples of prayer portray
Yahweh as a God who listens, not a deity who is distant or uninterested in our
personal lives.
Romans 12:15 (ESV)
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Show Video “Janette”
Christians in the Central African Republic have remained displaced and homeless
since 2012. That was the first year that I went to Mexico, that seems to be a long
time ago. At that time Islamists attempted to silence their bold and faithful witness
during their nation’s civil war.
Pray that Christians who have lost everything at the hands of Islamic extremists
will experience the peace of Christ. Also pray that the efforts of Voice of the
Martyrs to help them rebuild their lives and witness for Christ will succeed.
Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Pray for our fellow Christians, that they would have the strength needed to bear the weight of
their persecution, that they would not give up but hold fast to Jesus.
Spend time praying
(First Worship Song) Everlasting God
Thousands of Christian women in Nigeria have lost their husbands and homes
during Islamist attacks that have persisted for years and have continued in recent
months.
Pray that Christian widows will experience the Lord’s provision of all their needs.
Pray that the Islamic extremists will see the truth of the one true God, that they
would repent and come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Christians in Sudan have benefited from a 2019 ceasefire, but tens of thousands
remain displaced and without basic needs as a result of a decades- long attempt by
the nation’s former Islamist regime to eradicate them from the region.
Stop and think about what it would be like to have our neighbors do everything they
could to drive us from our homes and destroy our lives and even kill us.
Pray that the tens of thousands of Christian refugees in Sudan’s southern border
region will be able to return to their homes in the Nuba Mountains.
Pray that they will maintain a steadfast faith and that God will provide for their
families.
Proverbs 15:8 (ESV)
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the
upright is acceptable to him.
Spend time praying
2nd song “Jesus Messiah”
As we transition into our time of communion, truly His love is amazing, He is our
Messiah, Lord of all. As we remember the great price that Jesus paid on the cross,
shedding His own blood, to cover our sins, may we never take that lightly or for
granted.
Lets read these verses together.
1 John 4:13-20 (ESV)
13:By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given
us of his Spirit.
14:And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the
Savior of the world.
15:Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and
he in God.
16:So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in
him.
17:By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the
day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
18:There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do
with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
19:We love because he first loved us.
20:If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for
he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God
whom he has not seen.
Let us take some time now to examine ourselves, to thank Him for the providing
the redemption of our sins, to remember the great price that was paid for our
redemption.
3rd song –Jesus
Matthew 26:26-29 (ESV)
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave
it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of it, all of you,
28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins.
29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink
it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
That day when we do this face to face with Jesus is drawing closer and closer.
Take Communion
Final song You never let go Benediction