Wednesday, August 8, 2012

World Watch List~ Emily Ciszewski


Crazy to think that in one moment I’m praying that I won’t get my period this week because I have a party to go to, Mom’s trying to decide if we should have tacos or chicken for supper, my sister is complaining that she doesn’t know what to wear to Church and someone in Asia is being beaten for singing a praise song in her own home.
Ridiculous, isn’t it? And I just hum along with my stereo blasting my favorite Jamie Grace song.

We forget. We’re humans. Not elephants.

And I apologize when I remember what a spoiled little American girl I am.
I really do - and I know many of you do as well - so I’m not raining on your good life. Just reminding the lot of us to hear the thunder.

Over 1 million Christians in this world are daily persecuted for their love of God.
And it’s not me receiving that weird look from the guy in A&W after he heard me thanking God for my chicken and root beer. That’s not persecution; that’s curiosity.
I don’t know where we come up with our American idea of persecution.

So, in those five minutes that I prayed for my period to wait a week, my friend to invite me over, my nerves to relax, the sun to shine in the morning…I could’ve been praying for somebody being tormented in Belarus Poland.

Want to start praying a little more?
Great - I hoped you might!
Here’s a link to help you pray for the whole world of the known persecuted Church! (Isn’t it crazy how God made even the Internet to further His cause?)

By the end of 2012 Open Doors International and all involved will have prayed for all of these countries and peoples, and you can be apart of it! Go to the World Watch List website and sign up for the weekly emails, and help us pray for these 50 countries.

To be honest, I’m still struggling with praying for the Church…the Bride of Christ - that’s us you know…and so it’s not like I’m little Miss Perfect ranting on you. But I bet I if spent one day in the shoes of that Asian woman being beaten by hate filled locals…I’d remember to pray.

And just remember as well, that God gives us grace to do the things He asks of us -

2nd Corinthians 9:7-8  
Will you accept the grace so that you may do every good work He’s prepared for you?


http://www.worldwatchlist.us/
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work…

1 comment:

  1. Thanks, this is awesome! And I love your writing style!

    ReplyDelete