When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Ps. 56:3-4
Heavenly Father, as the reach of the internet keeps getting bigger, our world keeps getting smaller and a whole lot closer. More so than ever, we realize we have brothers and sisters all around the world who are clinging to you and to this Scripture in ways that deepen our compassion and fuel our prayers.
Jesus took the full burden of our sin and fulfilled the all the demands of the law for us; now we fulfill the law of Christ by bearing one another’s burdens—big ones and little ones (Gal. 6:2). And prayer is one of the primary ways we shoulder up and love well. When King David prayed this prayer, he’d been seized by Philistines in Gath. As we pray, Father, here are some other difficult, fear-producing storylines.
We pray for the ongoing going war against human slavery in the world. That there are 27 million people stolen, sold and used as laborers in sweat houses and sexual commodities in brothels is unconscionable. We praise you for the brave men and women who are fighting the good fight against this pernicious evil. Multiply their numbers and exponentially increase their success in rescuing slaves, prosecuting evil doers and rehabbing the victims. We especially pray for the children who are preyed upon. What but the gospel can bring healing and wholeness to those traumatized by such evil?
We also pray for our brothers and sisters in North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, Maldives, Bhutan, Yemen, Vietnam, Laos, and China—the ten places in the world where Christians are most likely to be singled out for persecution. Father, we pray for ongoing protection and the provision of the necessities of life. Grant our extended spiritual family a profound sense of your presence and a supernatural love for their enemies. May the gospel continue to run deep and sweet in their relationships and threatened communities.
What can mortal man do to us? Plenty, but in view of who you are and what really matters, very little. Grant our persecuted brothers and sisters the same grace and courage you gave Justin Martyr. When facing the mortal men who would take his mortal life, he responded, “You may kill us, but you cannot harm us.” What but the gospel can create such a people? Strengthen and gladden our friends who live in harm’s way. Their labors in the Lord are not in vain, for one Day the knowledge of your glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Hallelujah!
Lastly, gracious Father, though less dramatic, but nonetheless important, we pray for friends on our streets and in our churches who wake up today with hard medical reports, dwindling financial resources, and stories where mortal men have brought harm and are fueling fears. Bring the gospel to bear in profound, tangible, and obvious ways. And use us, Father, as answers to the very prayers we offer. So very Amen we pray in Jesus’ most glorious and trustworthy name.