To everyone who has lost their life or loved ones due to their faith my heart and prayers go out to you. I honor you for standing up for what you believe in, no matter the cost. And I believe in the depths of my heart that you understand a side of Jesus that many of us never will. I believe in those moments of persecution that Jesus meets you there and comforts you and gives you an indescribable peace. You glorified Jesus in your life and in your death, and for that I cant say thank you enough.
I don't pretend to understand everything that's going on in Iraq, but as I spent a day fasting and praying with my squad for my brothers and sisters in Iraq Abba did a strange thing: he put the people that were directly causing the harm on my heart.
As I started praying for those that had been martyred and those that were being persecuted on the mountain he gave me an indescribable compassion for the people behind ISIS.
He started by reminding me that the battle that we have isn't with flesh and blood, it's not the people that we are fighting, but the evil that is driving them.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." -Ephesians 6:12
With that perspective in mind I was able to pray that the people that were coming to harm my brothers and sisters on that mountain would be struck with the presence and love of Jesus. That they would be "put to shame and confusion" (Psalm 71:24)
I know that sounds like a crazy prayer to pray, but it wouldn't be the first time for something like this to happen. Look at Jesus! The people that beat him, spat at him, and yelled insults at him must have been so ashamed and confused when he gave his spirit up and the veil was torn from heaven. Can you imagine that feeling? You just thought you had conquered this man who claimed to be the king of kings, you thought he was weak and that you had won. And then BAM! The earth shakes and rocks split!
"At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split." -Matthew 27:51
There's no way the people that harmed Jesus's earthly body could have walked away and not been shaken by the presence and power of God in that moment. And that's exactly what I'm praying for in Iraq. For the people to be shaken by the presence and power of God, in the midst of everything they are trying to do to stop his children and His glory.
Do I understand everything in Iraq? Absolutely not. But I do know that our God is good. And as the church we should be reacting differently than the world, especially in this situation.
The world says we have every right to be mad at these people. They are killing and mutilating our own people. But as the body of Christ we should have and be displaying a hope that sets us apart. Its a hope that nobody can take from us.
I'm not saying we should act like evil doesn't exist, but we should be extending the love and compassion of Jesus to these people in Iraq, because that's the love He has for them. Unconditional. It reaches no limits.
As the church we shouldn't fight violence with more violence. We should fight violence with love. Because ultimately loving people changes a lot more than fighting ever could.
Church, will you join me as I pray that these people will enter the presence of our
God and be changed forever? Will you partner with me as I allow Jesus to change hatred into love?
In case you're wondering where the rest of the revelation Abba gave me, feel free to read the Psalm below. Declaring it over the people in Iraq everyday until it comes to fruition.
PSALM 71:
"In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth.
From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
I have become a sign to many;
you are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him.”
Do not be far from me, my God;
come quickly, God, to help me.
May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?
Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
You will increase my honor
and comfort me once more.
I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered.
My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion."
