Greetings all. Prayer is on my mind. Prayer is at the very center of life for a follower of Christ, so we pray. The BTJ family is constantly being reminded to intercede for pressing issues. We are always mindful of the persecuted in the underground church, not only in China but around the world.
Most recently we have been encouraging prayer for Iran, especially for those who are professing Christ as Savior and Lord. We realize that by the time you receive this newsletter it will be October and the circumstances then will perhaps be very different than they are now, but prayer will still be needed!
As believers we know that prayer is essential, but our mental agreement for it is often stronger than our practice of it. What is prayer? Some years ago my wife and I were gifted with a copy of Webster’s 1828 Dictionary (what a blessing!) and I would like to share his definition of prayer:
“In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God’s glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits.”
So prayer not only involves asking, but acting as well. In preparing for this article my mind was filled with the message discovered in the book of Isaiah. We discover that this Old Testament evangelist concluded that righteousness, justice, and peace expresses the heart of Yahweh. God wants people to be right and live right. Righteousness leads to justice. Peace then follows justice. The result of right living produces peace. Isaiah writes of a time “…when weapons are turned into farm tools.”
So, how does this influence how we pray for Iran? When I do not know how to pray specifically for someone I often fall back on something I learned some years ago while attending a prayer meeting in China. The atmosphere was filled with gut-level intercession, worship expressed in thanksgiving and praise, tears flowing down their faces and loud voices crying out to our Heavenly Father. It was in this setting that a truth was expressed by a Chinese brother, a truth that influences me to this day. Prayer was requested, not for deliverance from the difficulty, but that they would remain faithful through the circumstance!
So, now I often pray, that they would be given a fresh release of faith, that they would be filled with the love of God which surpasses all understanding, and that they would be filled with the peace given by the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ!
So, will you join us in praying for the nation of Iran especially the believers who are facing such tremendous challenges? Praise God!
US Office
Yes I will join you in prayer for the people in Iran.
Amen. “Gut level prayer” is needed. Lord keep them *and us) faithful.
My other prayer for Iran is that their freedom from tyranny leads them into righteousness (freedom to follow Jesus) not licentiousness or hedonism.
Please tell our brothers and sisters in Iran that we are praying for God to supply food, shelter, warmth, clothing and access to God’s word. We profit courage to remain faithful, and for the war to end.
Whike taking communion I offen pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters who are likely not able to participate in the taking of the bread and cup, that while they may be in horrendous situations and possibly quite alone, that the LORD would provide them with a sense of community with their brothers/sisters of the faith and their families, and that He would provide a depth and sweetness of unity with the LORD that only comes from suffering with Him and for Him. Please let them know that we are looking forward to the day when we can all be in the presence of the LORD – together with them.
“ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.””
Luke 22:31-32 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.22.31-32.NIV
Yes, Lord, give them the strength. Help them to look at You. We love them Lord. And we love You. Hallelujah.