Week of Prayer - ONWARD WITH the GREAT COMMISSION - Celebrating 50 Years of LausanneSýnishorn

DAY 6: THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSION (art. 12-13)

DISCIPLESHIP

The Lausanne Covenant in art. 12 refers to the spiritual warfare that involves us all, to the tactics that the devil uses inside and outside the church to distance us from the Truth, to the risk that we all run of manipulating others for our own personal gain and therefore, to the need to wear the armour of God to watch with discernment for the safeguarding of the gospel. The Church must be in the world, but the world must not be in the Church. Article 13, on the other hand, presents us with the cost that Christians are often forced to pay in those countries that deprive them of their religious freedom and invites others to support them in prayer without being intimidated. We want to fight against injustice and remain faithful to the gospel, whatever the cost. Up until now, we have been speaking of discipleship from the point of view of the mentor, the Master, or the one who makes other disciples. In reality, the term discipleship refers to one's condition as a disciple. This implies a double responsibility: towards others and oneself. Furthermore, the root of disciple is the same as the word discipline, from the Latin "discere", to learn! Following Jesus implies a renunciation of oneself and an exercise of discipline to fulfil the will of the One who called us.

DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSION

The words of the Matthew 28 passage are nothing more than the passing of the baton to us who have decided to follow the Master and are the essence of the meaning of mission. Once the baton has been grasped, the athlete (disciple) must look forward to reach the goal, and it is certainly not a walk in the park. Along the way (Mission), some obstacles risk making us fall, and it is there that we can make a difference by putting into practice all the spiritual exercises (discipline) that give us the strength to continue the journey. We must be equipped, vigilant, determined, circumspect, and faithful, and not allow ourselves to be distracted by the "shortcuts" that could lead us astray and prevent us from passing the baton to those waiting for us on the track. Too often we have seen “athletes” use performance-enhancing drugs (false gospel, manipulation, scriptural distortion) for their own personal triumph. We are aware that along the way some find it more difficult and apparently remain behind (tortured, imprisoned). We want to work for their liberation by continuing the journey with trust in Jesus, the Disciple and Master par excellence who has promised never to leave us.

THANKSGIVING

For all the Lord's disciples, so that they are aware of their double responsibility (teaching and practicing) without giving in to compromises in the face of the difficulties they encounter along the way.

CONFESSION

Forgive us, Lord, for all the times we've lost sight of the goal, for the times we felt tired and looked for shortcuts without putting our trust in you.

REQUESTS

For all the brothers and sisters who are persecuted because of their fidelity to the Gospel: Lord, protect them, free them, and give them the strength to face challenges by continuing to glorify your name.

For the rulers of nations, so that they may guarantee freedom of thought and conscience and the freedom to practice and propagate religion according to God's will, as also expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Carine Francq

Central District of the Italian Evangelical Alliance