Pray for the Martyrs

Heb 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Don't you just cringe when you see the Feed the Children commercials and others which depict the plight of starving children in Africa and elsewhere? I feel guilty for immediately turning the channel, but I must, I cannot bear their suffering.

It is also tough to bear in mind the sufferings of Christians worldwide whose testimony has caused them great persecution. How easy we have it to live for Christ in a country where Christianity is in vogue. To be a believer in most parts of the world means sure and certain retribution from the enemies of the cross of Christ. I receive daily reports via email lists and updates concerning the oppressed of the faith. It is heart-wrenching to know how bad my brothers and sisters have it in the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist countries.

The Word constrains us to keep them in our thoughts and prayers as if we were in the prison cells with them. After all, if the heavy oppression were here in our nation and we were the ones being tortured for Christ, how much would we appreciate our fellow believers living in the lap of luxury, preaching health and wealth, partying as if Christianity was all fun and games? This very day, more than two to three hundred of Christ's followers will purchase the martyr's crown because they chose to bear the cross. The least we can do is to remember them in our prayers.