Several years ago I had the wonderful privilege of teaching leaders from all over the Arabic speaking world. My topic? “Spiritual Dynamics in Ministry.” What a wonderful opportunity! What a life changing experience! I think the believers there taught me more than I taught them!
One of the great lessons I learned during that couple of weeks was that we in America, for the most part, have no idea what it means to do ministry and share witness under threat, intimidation, danger, and in a context of outright persecution! An example: A pastor, who was attending the conference where I was teaching, who pastored a thriving church in Jordan, answered a question someone asked him on the street about Christianity… he was jailed. It was a “setup.” A member of his church happened to know the king – and only because of his influence the pastor was released.
I came away from the experience of those days of teaching convinced that Christians need to exhibit a courageous witness in our world and that, only the Holy Spirit will produce it! I also believe that the cultural shift in America will make it more and more necessary for believer’s here to exhibit such a witness.
Acts 4 tells the story of the response of Peter and John to the accusation and threats of the religious leaders to the healing of a man “lame from birth”…
“They called them in and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ After further threats they let them go.
“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘You made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them! … Now consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness (i.e. courageously). Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant, Jesus.’
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (i.e. courageously).” (From Acts 4.1-31)
Rather than succumbing to intimidation, threats, and persecution … prayer! Prayer that God would continue to use their testimony and witness – Prayer the God would continue to work powerfully in their culture! Prayer that the Holy Spirit would empower them to continue to be courageous witnesses!”
God powerfully answers prayers like that! I’m praying today for persecuted Christians in various places of our world today… empower them Lord! Help them to continue to be courageous witness in the face of threats, intimidation, and outright persecution! … I’m also praying for myself! Lord help me to be the kind of witness I should be in my community and culture!! Empower me today!!
