Page 20 - Voice of the Persecuted Christians - Jan-Mar 2022 - 121

VOLUNTEERING
PARE YOU UP FOR THE BATTLE? Co-ordinating prayer for persecuted Christians is a vital part of our ministry
rayer is key to our relationship to take up this vital role. The Bible Another Prayer Co-ordinator, Roberta, with God yet can often be one of says: ‘For our struggle is not against says:
the hardest spiritual disciplines. flesh and blood, but against the
No wonder it is an area that the enemy attacks us on.
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms’ (Ephesians
‘Meeting each month enables us to mention individuals by name and focus on a particular country or part of the world. The needs are vast and we only cover a limited amount but there is a common desire in our praying. I would
‘Our partners know this all too well,
having seen many answers to prayer:
people set free from prison, protection 6:12). Can you support us in this? from the authorities, supernatural
escapes from persecution and so on,’
says our Volunteering Ambassador
Imtiaz.
‘But one thing that always amazes me is the Christians in the UK who not only understand the power of prayer, but, as our Prayer Co-ordinators, commit to pray for, and organise prayer for, those they have never met.’
‘It wasn’t happening locally, so I
took the initiative. If I were the one suffering for my faith, how grateful
I would be to know that others are praying for me!’ She adds: ‘It widens our perspective on the family of God and can prevent us from becoming too insular and focused only on our own church, neighbourhood and country. Care and concern for our brothers
and sisters grow through praying for them. The Lord wants us to pray for one another in the body of Christ. The Bible says, “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). We can learn so much through their faith and courage in adversity.’
we make participants more aware of the persecution that’s going on in so many parts of the world. Even in our churches there are people who have no idea what’s happening.’
These volunteers facilitate prayer groups that pray specifically for persecuted Christians either on a weekly, monthly or sometimes less frequent basis. ‘The important thing is that they continue to meet regularly to lift up our suffering brothers and sisters to the throne of the One who answers.’
Roberta adds: ‘It is important to have concentrated prayer [for the persecuted] from a committed group.’
We are now looking for more people
We will provide you with practical tips on how to set up a prayer group, as well as exclusive materials not available to others. Email volunteer@ woocommerce-1195296-4229685.cloudwaysapps.com for more information or call us on 01689 823491.
Here is what one of our Prayer Co- definitely recommend the prayer group ordinators, Lyn, says about the role: to others because, as well as praying,
Could you support our suffering brothers and sisters in this way?
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