November 2, 2008

Emerging glorious from the refiner's fire

-- Special prayer for the International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the persecuted church

We are often reminded that we are living in 'the last days' -- the days between the resurrection of Christ and his return. We know these are the days of the Church, mission and the Holy Spirit, as well as days of tribulation and trial. But lost to most is the fact that these 'last days' are also the days of the Church's sanctification. Stories of tribulation and persecution generally feature the Church as victim and can cause us distress. Stories of Holy Spirit-empowered mission generally feature the Church as victor and can encourage us to feel strong, excited and expectant. But sanctification (the process of being made holy) invariably involves unpleasant truths, confession, repentance and humility; hard work, pain and reform. While sanctification is something we should covet and pursue no matter what the cost, tragically it is something to which much of the Church remains proudly and stubbornly resistant.

But God is indeed not only building his Church in the face of futile but fierce opposition (Matthew 16:18), he is also sanctifying his Church in preparation for the wedding of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9). While persecution is to be condemned and opposed as injustice and sin, it is also God's refining fire, where disparate, drossy bodies are refined and moulded into one in answer to our Lord's prayer that we should love him and one another with the same perfect unifying love that defines the Trinity (John 17:20-23). Further to this, while the godless get angry and perish in the fires of testing, the children of God look to HIM and in doing so come to depend upon, know and trust their maker more perfectly (Job 36:5-15). The refiner's fire is where faith is both tested and perfected for our benefit and the Father's glory.

If we are to be a holy nation (1 Peter 1:13 - 2:12), separated from all that is worldly and devoted wholly to God, then we must do as the bride is inst! ructed to do: 'Forget your people and your father's house, and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him' (Psalm 45:10,11 ESV). Yet we cling to the world, and our beauty is marred by the dross of worldliness, idolatry and unfaithfulness. Those who think this is not the case are deceiving themselves (1 John 1:8). We find it so hard to forsake the world, but God does not leave us to struggle in weakness. No, the gracious and faithful master craftsman is working on us all the time, as individuals and as a Church (local and global). Nowhere is this more evident than in the midst of persecution and suffering.

And so we pray: not only for religious liberty and for justice, deliverance and peace for the persecuted Church, but also for insight into what God is doing in the life of his people so that we can 'get on board' and actively participate in, rather than proudly resist, this wonderful sanctification.

God is purging idolatry, forging unity and removing those sources of worldly strength upon whic! h we so adulterously depend. He is increasing our love and our faith. We must never despair over the loss of political power or influence, for the hope of the Church was never to be found there (Zechariah 4:6).

An abundance of earthly lights (light pollution) causes the stars in the heavens to appear dim. It usually takes a power blackout or a trip into the wilderness for the glory of the heavens to be revealed. The same is true concerning advocacy for religious liberty and the persecuted church. An abundance of earthly powers may cause us to forget or neglect the greater power and love that is in heaven. A political-power blackout or a trip to the political wilderness may be God's gracious way of drawing our attention to him and reminding us of where the true power lies.

Prayer is not a lesser form of advocacy, it is the greatest.

So let us pray!

PRAYER (based on Colossians 1:9-14, Psalm 45:10,11 ESV.)

Dear God our Eternal Father,

A great hostility is rising all over the world against your gospel and against your Church. Despite a decade of high-powered, economically-driven political advocacy for religious freedom, persecution of Christians is increasing in frequency, scope and intensity. Furthermore, because of geopolitical and economic changes, we are finding ourselves increasingly helpless (in earthly terms) to prevent it or even just escape it. Hardship, suffering, vulnerability and despair are spreading.

Father, we ask you to fill us with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that amidst whatever this world and the prince of this world might throw at us, we may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to you, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

May those who are suffering and facing ! trials, hardships and even genocidal violence on account o f Jesus Christ and his gospel be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. May the Spirit fill them with assurance of their salvation and an anticipation of their great inheritance in the Kingdom of God's Son. May the Holy Spirit lift their heads, restore their souls and draw them into prayer. May the Father answer their prayers, deliver them from evil and increase their faith.

Father, by your mighty power and in your amazing gracious love and mercy, purge us of all worldliness, idolatry, faithlessness and unfaithfulness, that we might be the beautiful bride you so desire. Open our eyes and ears and soften our hearts to your will. Fill us with brotherly love for all our brethren. Sanctify us. Refine us in these dark days and strengthen us for the darker days that lie ahead. May the devil have no victory over us. May your glory be revealed in all the earth.

AMEN

Elizabeth Kendall