DCLM Higher Everyday 26 February 2023 — Praying for the persecuted
DCLM Higher Everyday 26 February 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Praying for the persecuted
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TOPIC: PRAYING FOR THE PERSECUTED.
TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 3:10-13
11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
KEY VERSE: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 TIMOTHY 3:12).
MESSAGE:
Francis Bacon was quoted as saying, “In taking revenge a man is but even with his enemies; but in passing it over, he is superior.” The Bible tells us how to respond when persecution comes. The new convert in Christ must be prepared ahead of time that he or she must suffer persecution.
Our text highlights the persecution and suffering of the saints. So, they need prayers for God’s intervention and for them to endure temptations and trials of faith. Our Lord Jesus stated plainly, “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…” (John 15:20). Christ enjoins the persecuted to pray for their persecutors. In His days, “Hate thine enemy” was a popular concept. Still, He admonished His disciples to love their enemies and bless those who persecuted them.
Persecuted saints need prayers from individuals, families, and the Church. Due to persecution, many believers have lost their residential accommodations, and means of livelihood and are living in internally displaced people’s camps (IDPCs) or with friends and relatives in dehumanizing conditions. Both youth and adult believers should without ceasing, intercede for all such ill-treated brethren.
QUOTE: Persecuted saints need prayers
CHALLENGE: Never surrender to the adversaries.
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord, help me to overcome my foes.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
