A reason to rejoice

When we love something or someone, we want to tell people about it. It’s why people share a good review online after a delicious meal or can talk animatedly for hours about their interests.

It’s also why our ministry partners do what they do. They have discovered the beautiful news that Jesus loves them, and they want to share it with others who are yet to hear!

Just like when we share about the latest triumph of our sports team, why we enjoy our favourite book or a great new TV series we’ve watched, there is joy when people embrace and join in with the things we love.

When listeners across Africa, Asia and the Middle East understand and accept the gospel – the best thing we can ever share – we rejoice! We join with the angels in praise that God’s family has grown.

However, alongside rejoicing, Jesus is also clear that the decision to follow Him isn’t an easy one. In Matthew 10 He explains that His disciples will be ‘hated by everyone’, and for many our partners serve this is a painful reality.

Naeem* was desperate and suicidal when he met Jesus in a powerful dream and got in touch with our partner, Iraq FM. After hearing his amazing story, the team invited him to join an online Bible group where he began to regularly study God’s word. Then Naeem’s family found out he had given his life to Christ.

For many in Iraq, leaving Islam is unacceptable and can have extreme consequences. Because of his faith in Jesus, Naeem’s father threatened to kill him, and he had to leave his home to find safety. Iraq FM are continuing to pray and support him, and sadly this isn’t a unique story.

But as new believers like Naeem join the body of Christ, especially in the face of such challenges, we continue to rejoice remembering that “…the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22b). And we have a chance to pray for and uplift our brothers and sisters around the world!

A chain of prayer

Here is one practical and creative way you can join with us and pray for new believers today:

What you’ll need:

• Paper
• Scissors
• Something to write with
• Glue/tape/staples

Begin your time of prayer by taking a moment to be still, asking God to make you aware of His presence.

Take your paper and cut into strips. Choose a strip, or several, and write out a prayer, Bible verse, name or country that helps you focus on listeners like Naeem who have started to follow Jesus and are facing rejection and persecution.

As you pray, connect the strips of paper together using glue, tape or staples to create a paper chain. When you add each link, let it act as a reminder that believers around the world are connected as one body in Christ.

To help you continue in prayer, you may want to put the chain up in your home so you can keep adding to it, or simply to use it as visual prompt.