The Love of Christ Calls Us to Suffer and Sometimes to Die for the Gospel

Opening Prayer: 

Our Sovereign Lord, we understand that suffering may be necessary in our missionary engagement as your witnesses, as it was for your apostles and the Old Testament prophets. Being willing to suffer demonstrates the genuineness of our mission, knowing that you use suffering, persecution, and martyrdom to advance your mission. ‘Martyrdom is a form of witness which Christ has promised especially to honour.’[1] Amen.

Reflection:

Many Christians living in comfort and prosperity need to hear again the call of Christ to be willing to suffer for him. For many other believers live in the midst of such suffering as the cost of bearing witness to Jesus Christ in a hostile religious culture. They may have seen loved ones martyred, or endured torture or persecution because of their faithful obedience, yet continue to love those who have so harmed them. 

Closing Prayer: 

Our Lord, we hear and remember with tears and these prayers, the testimonies of those who suffer for the gospel. We pray for grace and courage, along with them, to ‘love our enemies’ as Christ commanded us. We pray that the gospel may bear fruit in places that are so hostile to its messengers. As we rightly grieve for those who suffer, we remember the infinite grief you feel over those who resist and reject your love, your gospel and your servants. We long for them to repent and be forgiven and find the joy of being reconciled to you, our God over all. Amen.

Ask God to pour out his Spirit to stir us with a vision for Christ-like leaders for every church and sector.

[1] The Manila Manifesto, §12