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Blessed Are Those by Karin Paparelli Daniel and Paulina Brolin left their home and church in Sweden with a passion to reach the lost in the Republic of Dagestan, southern Russia , with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Working with Youth With A Mission, the 22 year old couple hoped to shine the light of Jesus in a dark corner of the world. On January 8, 1998 however, this couple's courage and faith were tested as they were abducted by armed men. Four months have now passed and negotiations continue for the couples release. Bishop John Joseph , Chairman of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops Justice and Peace Commission, was known by many as one who genuinely cared for the (1.7%) Christians in Pakistan and worked tirelessly for justice. On Wednesday May 6, Bishop John gave the ultimate sacrifice and publically committed suicide to protest against the 1986 Blasphemy Law, which demands the death sentence carried out against anyone defiling the name of Mohammed. In Pakistan any Christian can be taken to court by four Muslim men by giving an honest answer to the question , "Does the Bible speak about the coming of Mohammed?". Their cries have gone out. Jesus hears them. Do we? What can we do for those persecuted, imprisoned? Pray, pray, pray! The early church knew the power of prayer, "Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick , get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. . . Peter followed him out of the prison ." Acts 12:6-10 The church was earnestly (seriously, mightily, intently) praying to God for him, God answered their prayer and the chains came undone! God still answers prayer. Imagine what might happen if we, the church , were to pray earnestly, mightily, intently for our imprisoned brothers and sisters. "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3 How differently might you pray if it were you in prison? We talk of unity in the body of Christ and rightly so for Jesus himself prayed that we be one as He is one with the Father, so the world might believe. (John 17:21) To share with each other the joy and love of God , that is a privilege and a delight, but dare we share in the suffering of the persecuted church? Share in persecution? Martyrdom? We are one body, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it." (1 Cor. 12:26) Christians are being persecuted daily for their faith in Jesus Christ. In some nations women are beaten and raped, children are sold into slavery and men are beaten and even crucified for their steadfast faith in Christ. As we gathered for the March for Jesus Prayer Rally on May 30th the persecuted church of believers in Jesus Christ were lifted up in prayer. Millions gathered in nations around the globe to pray in one accord for the suffering church. The silence was broken! Let us not stop there. We must not forget our family in Christ who do not enjoy the freedoms we take for granted, but who labor for Christ at much personal risk. "And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18). But let's not stop there either , there is so much more that we can do. Remember "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48) We have been given much in this nation. Freedom to worship Jesus in the streets, as thousands did during the March for Jesus. We should continue to do so. We should also continue to exercise our freedom to pursue righteousness; in our courts, in education, in politics, in social welfare, in entertainment, to boldly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who are perishing. The time for action has come. Let us not waste the opportunities given to us. One day we will all stand before the judgement seat of our Lord and give an account of how we have spent this precious liberty. Every minute, every hour, every day, every penny! We have resources at our disposal that many of our brothers and sisters are literally dying to obtain. Let's use them to reach the lost! Let's use them for our Father's glory! Arise church! Thy kingdom come!
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