Some of my most cherished moments on the race so far has been sitting and discussing our faith with brothers and sisters from different backgrounds. In my most recent talk with some Egyptian friends I got to enjoy some bacon wrapped kudu while we chatted.
One part of ministry this past month involved working with the Coptic (Egyptian) Orthodox Church here in Kampala, Uganda. During our time serving we developed good friendship with Lydia and Sara, two of the missionaries from the church. In addition to the missionaries staying year round, 10 more volunteers had come from Egypt to volunteer for a few days of the Christmas season.
They put on a few dramas and shows for churches and kids during their time in Uganda. Last Sunday I was able to join them on their last day. We put on a drama, a puppet show, and sang many songs for the church. It was a lot of fun! Not unlike many of the kids programs we put on for kids back in the States.
Afterwards we went out for some dinner. Quickly I learned of how often Christians have been attacked in Egypt the past few years. They experience 5-6 fatal attacks a year. One of them mentioned how much they love coming to Uganda because they have freedom to speak about their faith. Back home they could be killed for mentioning Christ. Hearing this, once again, opened up my eyes to the problems our brothers and sisters are facing worldwide. Perhaps we should be more grateful for the kids programs we are able to put on every year.
They asked about the church in the states. Now I realized what a blessing it is that I can speak about my faith freely. Why don’t I speak up more? They asked about the problems afflicting the church in America. Complacency? Staying in our bubble? The prosperity gospel? My new friends seemed baffled that someone would use the Bible to gain money…
Maybe its not my place to say what the problems are. But throughout this conversation I was being hit with simple questions: Why haven’t I been praying for them? Why do we not pray and mourn with them in our churches? I am fully convinced of the necessity for the body of Christ to do a better job of lifting up the church (that is, one another) through prayer.
While many of us may be busy with our own calling, we certainly all have a call to be in prayer for the universal church.
There are many examples of the power of prayer on behalf of the church in the lives of the apostles. In Acts 12 Peter is imprisoned; verse 5 says that “earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Then an angel appears and delivers him from the prison. In his epistles, Paul often greets the church by mentioning how he has kept them in prayer (Ephesians 1:16, Philemon 1:4, Philippians 1:4 & 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, Colossians 1:3, Romans 1:10, etc…) Later in his letters he emphasizes how he needs prayer in his personal trials and so the gospel may spread (2 Corinthians 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:25, 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Colossians 4:3, etc…)
The point is this: In each continent, country, district, and individual heart the church is experiencing struggles. Prayer has the power to work in and through those struggles, and even to deliver us from them!
This week take some time to think about brothers sisters in different countries. Lift up the church in prayer. Attempt to put yourself into their shoes. Maybe pick a country and research what its like to be a Christian there? Contact a church or ministry through email asking how you can lift them up. Remember the focus is to be lifting up believers universally. Broaden your horizon a bit and allow for a bit of time in your schedule to lift up the church.
Need some help? Here are churches in each of the 6 countries I have visited so far 🙂
Chile: Iglesia Betel Calama
Peru: San Jose Pueblo YWAM
Colombia: Ciudad Refugio
Rwanda: Christian Life Assembly
Uganda: The Coptic Orthodox Church
Kenya: Trinity Life Chapel
Leave a comment with who/what country the Lord lays on your heart to lift up in prayer.
