Many thanks to all those who put together our harvest display today. Our harvest gifts will be going to the residents of Sanctuary Supported Housing, and Access Community Trust.
I WILL STAND VIDEOS
BMS Prayers for I Will Stand
For church planters and evangelists
Lord, we pray for church planters in Asia who are facing persecution because of their faith. Thank you for the many, many people they are reaching with the gospel, and for the new house churches they have formed. Please protect church planters and new believers. Please soften the hearts of those who want to harm them. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
For those isolated
Father, we pray for isolated Christians. May they find other believers who can encourage them, whether that is face-to-face or through social media. Help them to find ways to faithfully follow God, even when they have to live out their faith in secret. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
For those who face rejection from family and friends
Heavenly Father, we pray for people who have been rejected by their families because they have chosen to follow Jesus. May they experience the unconditional love of God. May they find strong Christian communities. And we pray that their families would accept them and reconcile with them. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
For BMS supported ministries
We pray for BMS-supported ministries reaching out to people who are hostile to the gospel. Help people to have wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent. Give them the right words to say. And we pray that they would see many people come to know Jesus. We pray that through the ministries of BMS-supported believers across the globe, thousands of people will experience whole-life transformation.
As Christians living in hard places seek to share the gospel in word and deed, may people experience the love of Jesus for the first time, and may it transform every area of their lives. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
MORE INFORMATION AND DIRECT GIVING TO BMS WORLD MISSION
Items for reflection and discussion
Read Luke 10:2-4
1. What is our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ? What did our short films this morning show about bringing forth fruit in difficult situations? How may that reflect on where we are individually and where we are as a church right now?
Read Luke 14:25-33
2. What does this passage tell us about the cost of being a follower of Jesus?
3. Mark said “; let’s reflect on what’s happening for example, to the church in India and China where the church is bearing fruit despite persecution, with say, Britain where the church is contracting and struggling. Is that because something that doesn’t cost much isn’t worth much? ” Do you agree?
Read Luke 6:22-33
4. Why does God bless those who are persecuted? What can we learn from this for our own spiritual lives about the risk of following Jesus wherever He leads?