Week of Prayer - Joy - the Foundational Melody of the Kingdom of Godनमुना

JOY IN SUFFERING

VERSES

But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12,24-26)

MEDITATION

The Taliban promised to open schools for girls on March 21, 2022 – a promise lauded by the international community. On March 23, just hours after schools officially opened, the ministry of education overturned their previous decision – secondary schools were closed for Afghan girls, to the heartbreak and dismay of thousands of young girls and parents in the country.

A local Christian, Hana Nasri, explains that regardless of whether schools open or not, the Taliban’s ideology is aimed at disempowering women: «If you give a woman the ability to leave her house to go to a school building, you give her agency. The Taliban wants to rob women of any agency.» Walking with the most persecuted Christians around the globe teaches us that the church cannot afford to be indifferent to the suffering or disempowerment of a single believer.

Suffering takes many forms: loss of loved ones, limited prospects for achievement, a lack of relationship and affection, etc. These are not only painful but can steal our joy and rob us of hope. Often this pain comes from sources beyond our control, like the Taliban. But sometimes, the deepest wounds are caused by those closest to us, from our brothers and sisters in Christ, whose careless or accusatory words compound suffering. Such ‹friendly fire› is highly effective at stealing joy and destroying hope.

However, Paul describes the Body of Christ as the place where society’s rules don’t apply. This Gospel truth offers hope and joy in closed countries beyond the limitations constricting much of life. This Restorations (a resilience-building program for the persecuted church) teaching is simple: «No matter how little you are valued or trusted outside these walls, here your voice is respected and given dignity. No matter how much blame and shame are heaped upon you outside this sanctuary, you are innocent, empowered, and set free here.»

REFLECTION

· Can I think of someone who is suffering or marginalised in my community? How can I be the love of Christ to them?

· Do I judge others? Ask God to make you aware of this and ask him to replace your judgment with his love.

· How does my church community practice suffering and rejoicing together as an expression of unity in Christ?

PRAYER TOPICS

· For a renewed identity in Christ, that persecuted Christians can stand firm in the knowledge of Christ and can experience joy amid suffering.

· For the value which is ours as God’s sons and daughters and which can never be diminished by what is said or done to us.

· That we embrace our unity in Christ, agreeing to hear and feel each other’s suffering as our own.

· For the freedom in Christ from accusation and blame and to help rid ourselves of these old habits so that we do not steal joy from others.

· For the innocence which is ours in Christ Jesus and that we reject attempts by society to make us complicit in shaming or belittling a fellow believer.

SUGGESTED PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are not indifferent to our suffering. Thank You for sending Your Son to live in a human body within human society.

Jesus Christ, You who know the pain of unjust accusation and betrayal by those closest, thank You for Your example of humble and gracious sacrifice. Thank You for overcoming all the evil around us from which we suffer in our own lives. Forgive us for our own part in causing pain.

Holy Spirit, fill us with Yourself today so that we may know the joy of being Yours again and become vessels to bring that joy to others. Amen.

Helene Fisher

Global Gender Persecution Specialist, Open Doors International