Something has shifted. Like a wind coming ‘round from the east to the north, bringing with it a chill, and a foul air.
Recent events of tragedy and loss—from the murder of an innocent young woman on a bus, followed by the assassination of a young man speaking at a college campus event, both during our remembrance of the events of 9/11 on its 24th anniversary.
These events are horrible, tragic and sad, leaving us bewildered, shaken, angry. Because, along with loss, something deep seems to have broken, in our culture. What once was a perception of civility, peace and safety, was merely a fragile veneer. The darkness and evil that was previously held at bay is now exposed for what it is, on full display in real time before our eyes.
It’s always been there, just better hidden.
Christianity has always been under attack. Its ideas, its values, its traditions have always had opponents. But it appears (again) that we have reached a point where it is not only Christianity and the Church that are being opposed — it is Christians themselves that are being physically attacked.
People of God are those who are outspoken about their faith, living in the light of the Lord, according to the Word of God—in direct opposition to the current culture, modern society, and living in the world but are not of the world. These are who the enemy of our souls seeks to persecute.
God’s people who live this way are under attack from evil, from those who hate God, hate his church and hate his people. I’m thinking of the thousands around the world martyred for our faith, many this past year, whose names are unknown to us, but not to God. They show the rest of us what it means to take a stand in naming Jesus as our Lord, not denying faith in Him.
And so we, just like the ancients we read about in Scripture, living under the sovereign will of our Almighty God, should also cry out as they did,
for protections and deliverance from evil for those who belong to Jesus.
Jesus tell us how to pray: deliver us from evil,
David Prayed many times for deliverance.
Pray for protection.
May the Lord keep us under the shadow of his wings.
But we must also take a stand.
Pray for thousands of new converts.
So pray for the salvation of lost souls trapped in sins and darkness, in bondage to the devil.
Ask that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ (Colossians 4:2). Pray…that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored (2 Thessalonians 3:1) and may the word of God spread rapidly (Acts 6:7).
Pray the Lord open hearts as He did a certain woman named Lydia (Acts 16:14) to heed the things spoken by Paul.
Pray all the Lord’s servants be kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
Or else pray for the Lord’s holy judgement
on His enemies, those who deny, defy, plot, scheme, and serve the devil and his demons.
Conclusion
The Lord has often used someone who stands in the gap, as a watchman on the wall, standing before is holy throne asking for His holy help, crying to Him for divine intervention for His people.
This is where we are today. Millions of believers around the world are living, working, serving, preaching, teaching—and being persecuted for their faith. If you’re reading this, you are among those called to intercede for all the others.
Not all will pray, but we can pray for them and for one another. Jesus says to watch and pray, so I pray we stay alert and pray. And I pray for more who will pray — more intercessors, brothers and sisters who heed the warnings, take seriously the call, and take a stand in the prayer closet for those who take a stand on the front lines.
