Voice of the Martyrs

http://www.icommittopray.com/

Hebrews 10:32-35

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 

Have you ever had to suffer because of your faith? Have you ever been publicly exposed to insult and persecution? Our scripture passage today from Hebrews 10 is one that I admit, I can't relate to. 

I have never lived in a place where being Christian was cause for such conflict. Sure there are tensions today toward the church, but we still live in a free country where being a Christian is accepted. Others though, are not as lucky. I thought it would be good to share a story from, Voice of the Martyrs website, The following true story was posted on September 14th.

"Police in India arrested nine adults traveling with a group of 60 children to a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program this summer. The children and their chaperones sang Christian songs and read the Bible as they traveled by train, attracting the attention of a group of Hindu extremists. As soon as the train reached its destination, the militants called the police. When the police arrived, they arrested the adults and called the children’s parents to come pick them up. The adults were charged with kidnapping and converting people to another religion by force. After more than 40 days in jail, three of the adults were released on bail. The other six, however, are still being held. Pray that the jailed Christians will be released and that this experience will strengthen the faith of the children involved."

Here is another posted on September 14th.

“Vu” placed her faith in Christ earlier this year while working in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Several months later, she shared her faith with her parents and brother in hope that they, too, would become Christians. Instead, they cursed her. They insisted that she abandon her Christian faith immediately or they would disown her as their daughter. Vu told them that she respected them but would not leave Jesus. Her parents later sent her brother and sister to persuade her to leave Christianity, but instead her sister became a Christian. “The younger sister is a new person now,” a VOM contact said. Please pray for these two young women as they minister to their family and encounter further hardships because of their faith.

If you, like me, have never had to endure such persecution we have much to be thankful for.  Let's take some time and pray for those who do struggle daily to stand firm in Christ.  Click here to read more stories and pray for those who are being persecuted.

Read today's entire passage here. HEBREWS 10:32-29