Real Persecution–Real Prayer

Monday, June 26, 2017, I received this email. It is from one of our ministry partners of First Baptist Church, Covington, Louisiana, who lives and ministers in India.

Out of an abundance of caution, I am leaving out the names and pertinent information about the event. I will tell you that persecution of Christians has reached new levels in India. Many congressmen have urged President Trump to discuss this subject with the Indian Prime Minister.

Here is the email.

Dear Pastor Waylon Bailey,

Greetings to you in Jesus name.

Hope you are all doing fine.

On 25th June 2017, between 9 to 10 am while Sunday service was going on in one of our house church in [ . . . ] (North India) 4 Police men came and disturbed while prayer meeting was going on. They scattered all the believers an threatened them not to gather in this place for prayer. And they used abusing words to our two evangelists [ . . .]. Police men warned our evangelists not to gather people for prayer or worship other wise they put a case against them.

Please pray for the police men may see the glory of God and become His children. We praise praise and thank God for this trails and opposition. God is going to do His work mightily in this place. All the glory and honor to Him alone.

Matthew 5:11-12 & 1Thes. 5:18.

Thank you for your constant prayers.

In His grace,

[ . . . ]

I had two emotions. First, concern and worry for our bother pastor, the two evangelists, and the worshipers (mostly new Christians) in this church. This dear brother oversees many house churches in India. I fear for their health and safety.

Second, I felt awe and wonder at the response of the pastor and people. Notice that he sees the persecution as the impetus for God to “work mightily in this place.”

The way he asked for prayer sounds almost exactly like the reaction of the early church after Peter and John had been arrested and told not to preach about the resurrection of Christ any longer.

These are the words in Acts:

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, while thou stretchest out thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of thy holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).

God answered their prayer. The place was shaken, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4: 31).

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in India and pray that we may be bold as we speak the Word of God as well.

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4 Responses

  1. Although the situation I share is not fraught with the dangers faced by our brothers in Christ in India, I was heartened yesterday in two local businesses to hear contemporary Christian music being played openly. One was an AT&T store, and I commented to the rep assisting me. He said he is a born again Christian, and the music decision is the manager’s. He said he and others often worry because one complaint could bring serious repercussions from corporate. I responded that I applauded the manager’s boldness and believed God would bless it. I wish the rep assisting me knew of the courage of our brothers and sisters in India. May God lead us all to such courage and boldness in Him.

  2. “Please pray for the police men may see the glory of God and become His children.
    … he sees the persecution as the impetus for God to “work mightily in this place.”
    AMEN !!!!!!!
    I thank God for this pastor.
    Prayer is ongoing for God’s continued protection and blessings over His Church.

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