“For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.” (James 5:10-11a NLT)
This morning in prayer as I do each morning, I lifted my brothers and sisters who are living, suffering, and dying for their faith in the Lord Jesus in many places in our world, He prompted me to write to them a letter of appreciation and encouragement. Realizing that people from different countries read this blog I decided to do this “open letter” to my brothers and sisters all over the world.
Paul often gave thanks to the ones who were serving the Lord, whom he’d personally helped come to the Lord and get connected in a community of faith. Though I’m not personally responsible for my brothers and sisters in other countries coming to the Lord, I lift you to the Lord daily with thanksgiving and appreciation because of your strong faith and endurance and I pray what the Lord gives me to write blesses and helps you.
Thank you for persevering and continuing to share your faith openly often at great risk. Thank you for courageously walking with the Lord Jesus when it would be so much easier and safer to turn away and deny Him. As I’ve discovered in my own life, He’s my everything and I can’t imagine how I could ever turn my back on Him for all He’s done for me. But given the pressures many of you are facing, I pray He will enable you and me to stay strong regardless of the circumstances we might face.
In my prayers I lift your families, especially your children, asking the Lord to protect and guard them, but also to fill them with great confidence that faith in Jesus is worth whatever it costs us in this life. I ask the Lord to grow them up in Him to be prayer warriors and effective messengers to His honor.
While in another country many years ago, I visited a village in the mountains where there was a small church building. As I stood in that church, I was told the story of how it came to be. On that very spot had stood another building where believers gathered for worship, but on one occasion those violently opposed to their faith attacked them, bound the men, poured gasoline over them and burned them alive while they made their wives and children watch.
Another Pastor asked me to pray for the brave women who had sacrificed greatly to rebuild their church in honor of the Lord they served, but also in recognition of the sacrifice their husbands had made, but I could not. I could hardly breathe. I was so ashamed of the small faith I had, I didn’t feel worthy to even pretend I knew how to pray for such brave and godly men and women who had sacrificed so much for their faith in Jesus.
Now, in retrospect, I wished I’d made an effort, because even as I write these words I understand it’s not about being worthy, it’s about being faithful and I want to be faithful to consistently lift you, my brothers and sisters who are living, serving, suffering, and dying for the Lord across the world, knowing that prayer is your lifeline. Without the support of your brothers and sisters who love you and support you, you may grow discouraged, but I pray you’ll know beyond any shadow of doubt that you are loved, admired, and held in high esteem by those of us who have the privilege of being your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Please know, dear brothers and sisters, that I love you, respect you, admire and pray for you and your families every day. I can’t wait for us to take long walks in heaven so I can hear your stories and rejoice with you about our wonderful Savior who owns our hearts and lives.
Please also know that though I live in a relatively “safe” environment here in the U.S. I’m continuing to seek to reach those who don’t yet know the Lord Jesus in my spheres of influence. I’m laboring with you as you seek to win those in your spheres of influence to the Lord.
With love and deep respect,
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 