**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Mexico (Latin America) Specific areas within Mexico have a high concentration of indigenous minority groups. These minority communities, which maintain a separate identity and language, are systematically oppressed by local authorities. Christians among them are persecuted by Marxist and animist groups as well as village leaders. Tribal leaders persecute Christians in defense of their indigenous culture in several rural areas, and the federal government allows this. These communities are remotely located and difficult to reach. Despite persecution, the number of Christians has continued to grow in these areas. Many people in rural Mexico practice Christo-paganism, a syncretistic blend of ancient pagan practices and Roman Catholicism. There is a strong Marxist (atheistic communist) movement in some southern areas, especially in the state of Chiapas. Both syncretistic Christo-pagan village leaders and armed Marxist (atheistic communist) rebels persecute Christians. Christian converts are rejected by their community and are often forced from their homes and villages in some rural areas. Large groups of Christians have at times been driven from their homes in the south. Converts and faithful witnesses for Christ lose their jobs, inheritances and land. Those who remain in their communities are marginalized, partly because they will not participate in pagan celebrations that feature drunkenness and debauchery. There is little access to Bibles in these isolated communities, and few are available in the indigenous languages. *The Scripture for today is: Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (GALATIANS 5:19-21) And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? (ISAIAH 8:19) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (JAMES 1:12) Prayer by Pastor Chester: Our Father, we lift up to You our Mexican brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ in Latin America. We pray for the indigenous minority groups across Mexico in small rural villages – Lord, break their worship of superstition and syncretism with Roman Catholicism. Lord, open their eyes to the false practices and beliefs they hold, especially among the village leaders. Send Your workers to proclaim the true gospel of Your grace in Jesus Christ alone in these hard-to-reach places. Raise up local tribal leaders to lead their villages to faith in You. For the faithful minority that follow Your Son, help them stand strong against the pagan celebrations of drunkenness and debauchery. Restore unto them a home, jobs, and inheritance of land they lost in order to follow You. Help them remain faithful to the gospel, and speak boldly against the spirit of drunkenness, drugs, gangs, immorality, and sorcery. Let them only inquire of You and Your eternal Word! As they meet in homes and small places of gathering, hear their worship, be glorified in their praises, and sustain their passion and love for Your Son that grows stronger with persecution. We pray especially for the children and vulnerable youth of Mexico – Lord, have mercy and protect them from the evil one. Fill us with a greater burden to pray for Mexico. Make us Your house of prayer for all nations. We do not take for granted today Your grace and freedom in gathering to worship You. Lord, we long for the same in Mexico. In the risen Lord and Savior of the Mexican people, Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
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**Prayer Topic: Persecuted Christians in Bahrain (west Asia) This small island nation is located in one of the world’s chief oil-producing regions, but it has relatively small petroleum resources. Therefore, its economy has long relied on processing crude oil from neighboring countries. Bahrain has experienced significant religious, political and economic tension, resulting mainly from the Sunni-Shiite division among its Muslim populace and its involvement in the global economy. This unrest, coupled with the faithful witness of indigenous Arab and immigrant Christian workers, has led to a season of openness and some response to the gospel among those indigenous to Bahrain. Less than 1 percent of native Bahrainis are Christians; nearly all are Muslims. However, Christians among Bahrain’s expatriate workers make up 8 percent of the population. Families and local communities are the main persecutors, but the government occasionally imprisons or harasses a new Christian. Christian converts from Islam often lose their jobs and social status, and many are rejected by their families. However, some still gather to worship in secret. Bahrainis have limited access to the Bible through the internet and churches. *The Scripture for today is: If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. (JOHN 15:19-21) Prayer by Pastor Chester: Our Father, we lift up to You our Bahrainis brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ in west Asia. Even in the midst of imprisonment and harassment, keep Your followers faithful to You by the great love and mercy and joy in Christ alone. Thank You for the faithful witness of the indigenous Arab and immigrant Christian workers of Bahrain. May the seeds of the gospel they spread keep growing, and guard them from discouragement and danger in the face of little spiritual fruit and growing opposition. We pray that the false ways of other gods among the Bahrainis people will be broken in the powerful name of Your one and only eternal Son our Lord Jesus! We pray that family members who relentlessly persecute Christian converts will find their surrender and repentance in the kindness and compassion of Jesus. We pray for the secret gatherings of your church in houses and villages and locked rooms will experience deep Christ-centered fellowship and growing teaching of Your gospel, so that it may continue to spread. We pray for Ghaleb who placed his trust in You through the Voice of the Martyrs ministry – that his family’s excommunication and workplace harassment due to his Christian faith will not shake him, but strengthen him all the more to walk with his Lord. We pray for those hiding from family members seeking to harm them due to their newfound life in Christ – protect them. We especially pray for the children of Bahrain, the homeless and vulnerable youth – Lord, have mercy and protect them from the evil one. Fill us with a greater burden to pray for Bahrain as Your house of prayer for all nations. Let us not take for granted Your grace and freedom in gathering to worship You today. Lord, we long for the same in this distant land. In the risen Lord and Savior of the Bahrainis people, Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
***At this time, Pastor Chester will come forward to introduce a special guest, Director Ken Tse, visiting with us today.**** |
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