Prayer in The Hard Times

 How do you pray in difficult, even dangerous, times?  The writings of John, from his Gospel,  three letters, and the Revelation, all reflect the atmosphere of a Church undergoing persecution.  If developments in our day are any indication, it seems that Christianity faces a continuing time of marginalization, opposition, even persecution.

      As John's writings indicate, this is nothing new.  History is replete with examples of times when the Churches popularity with society, in general, has risen or fallen. 

      Interestingly, John's writings demonstrate the important role prayer plays in how the Church endures, even thrives, in those times.

      Jesus prays for His persecuted followers.

      Jesus' longest recorded prayer is found in John 17.  It is often called Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer." Like a priest, Jesus intercedes on behalf of His disciples and those who would believe in Him because of their witness.  Jesus knew they would face opposition, just as He did.  He prays for their protection and unity at those times, "Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name, the name. You gave Me so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:11b).  He also prays for their endurance in the face of the world's hatred (17:14). 

      Surprisingly, perhaps, Jesus prays that. God would give them "the full measure of My joy within them (17:13).  We think of times of rejection and persecution as grim, and they can be, but God has a way of manifesting His joy even in the darkest times.

      Joy in the Midst of suffering

      An Iraqi believer, Amer, was confronted by an ISIS fighter in his city.  The man told Amer that he would lose his home, business, and car if he did not convert to Islam.

      "You win my car," Amer said. "I have a company for cutting stones and marble.  You win it.  But you also lose because I love my Jesus." Stunned by Amer's reply, the fighter allowed him to go with a warning.  With the help of Muslim friends, Amer was able to escape to a refugee camp.  Reflecting on his experience, Amer said, "This is the Christian religion—not houses, good cars, or money.  When we feel hungry, tired, or cold, living in this room like a refrigerator, our Jesus felt like this.  Tell the people in America: I love you. . .. I Pray for you. . .. I am not sad.  I am happy.  

      Sanctification amid persecution

      Jesus prayed for the sanctification of believers, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:17).  Sanctification is the gracious work of God, enabling believers to be "in the world" but not "of the world" (17:14). God's people need not compromise with the world or adopt worldly ways in times of persecution.  As Christians live by God's truth, they are set apart from a world careening into falsehood. 

      Jesus also prays that His followers will share His glory in being united with the heavenly Father (17:22-23).  This unity is manifested in the divine love shared in the community of the Godhead and now encompassing Jesus' faithful followers, "so that the love you have for me [Christ] may be n them and that I myself may be in them (17:26).

Pray for one another

      John's letters were written in a time of severe opposition to the Christian faith.  There was a certain amount of political persecution: Christians and Jews were officially unrecognized sects under Roman law.  Believers could be brought up on charges of "atheism." since they refused to participate in offerings to the Roman gods, including the emperors.

      Many Christians were able to go quietly about their business.  Others, however, faced real and severe consequences for their witness (Revelation 2:3).

      John's First Letter shows little concern about "official" persecution, but great concern about false teachings infiltrating the Church (1 John 4:1-6).  Persecution could threaten a believer's comfort, even their lives, but apostasy threatened eternal loss.  John encouraged believers to remain firm in their faith in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.

      John exemplifies, in his letters, prayer for mutual support and encouragement (1 Joh 5:16).  To the lady chosen by God" in his Second The letter, John commends her "children" [Church] for walking in love and obedience to the truth (2 John 1:4-6).  For Gaius, another church leader, John prays, for physical and spiritual health (3 John 1:2).

      It may be easy to ignore this important aspect of prayer in hard times. 
We may be tempted to turn inward, dwelling on our own suffering and fears.  However, by focusing on others, we gain a clearer perspective on our own trials.  We also demonstrate the unity and love Jesus said would distinguish His true followers (John 13:35). 

      As we pray for one another, we reinforce John's other theme: to be "faithful witnesses." The mission of the Church is not suspended in times of opposition.  History demonstrates how the faithful witness of God's people in difficult times often leads to many new believers turning to Christ.  John encourages believers to not only remain faithful to the right doctrine but to manifest in their lives the love and message of Christ. 

      A Sweet-Smelling Savior

      In Revelation, prayer is likened to incense (revelation 5:8; 8:3-4).  In the Old Testament incense was likened to prayer.  In the Tabernacle, a special altar was placed before the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy place (Exodus 30:1-10).  Each morning the priest burned incense on the altar symbolizing the prayers of God's people.

      In God's heavenly throne room, the incense of God's people's prayers continues to waft upward.  These prayers do not simply vanish like smoke into an azure sky, but they move the heart of a caring God to act powerfully on behalf of His suffering ones.  The final cry will not be on of agonizing defeat, but of glorious triumph: "now have come to the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.  They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death" (Revelation 12:10-11).

      No matter what we or our brothers and sisters around the world face, we can follow John's encouragement: to pray for strength, unity, and a bold witness.  In Christ, our victory is sure!