September 2021 Persecution Magazine

After surrendering his life to
Christ, Josiah was cut off from
his parents and siblings. They
rejected him and even threatened
him with death.
This was the cost of his faith.
Knowing Jesus and gaining
Heaven far outweighed the
pain and expense of temporary
rejection, even from those he
loved most.
In places and circumstances where
there isn’t a cost, or where there is
even a materialistic benefit (as in
the Western Church), the Church
will become sleepy.
But in places and circumstances
where Christians endure much
suffering, the Church becomes
purified, and the dross of
lukewarm believers melts away.
Only those who love Jesus with
their whole heart will count Him
worthy of the cost.
Oh, what a lesson to us in the free
Church!
We have been captured by the
tyranny of the urgent. Our goals
have become so little. Our
churches are “popular” and full of
people, rather than full of the Holy
Spirit’s presence.
The persecuted Church shows us
what the Lord can make us into;
this is their secret ministry to us.
Stop what you are doing right now
and cry out to Jesus.
Tell Him that you and your
possessions belong to Him; ask
Him to help you love Him as He
deserves; ask Him to fill you with
His Spirit. He is the answer to all
of your questions.
As Josiah says, “The Lord sent
His son, Jesus, so there is a new
way. He is the way.”
“And calling the crowd to him
with his disciples, he said to them,
‘If anyone would come after me,
let him deny himself and take up
his cross and follow me.’” Mark
8:38 (ESV)
S E P T E M B E R
WEEKLY
PRAYERS
Take one week this month to pray
for the persecuted.
MONDAY
Please pray for the Afghan Church as
it faces continued persecution from
the Taliban.
TUESDAY
Please pray for access to aid for the
underground Church in Afghanistan as
the Taliban takes over.
WEDNESDAY
Please pray for Christians in India
who are persecuted through anticonversion
laws.
THURSDAY
Please pray for families and
individuals who have been beaten and
tortured for their faith.
FRIDAY
Please pray for the safety of young
Christian girls in Pakistan who are
victims of forced marriages.
PERSECUTION PODCAST
Into the Deep features weekly stories
from those who have suffered for Christ.
Into the Deep contains captivating and in-depth
interviews and stories about Christian persecution
around the world. Jeff King takes you on a spiritual
journey that is insightful and heartbreaking.
Get ready for your faith to be transformed. Listen to the
latest episode at www.persecution.org/icc-podcast
PERSECU ION.ORG
SATURDAY
Please pray for those in Pakistan
facing blasphemy charges for living
out their faith.
SUNDAY
Please pray for strength for the
persecuted Church as it faces
unimaginable hardship daily.
To download our monthly prayer
calendar, visit
www.persecution.org/
take-action/prayer-calendar
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
11