Prayer and Persecution

Prayer. 
It's the lifeblood of Christians from its Jewish roots to its current persecutions.  And yet, it is elusive even as it is essential.  It is the method of preservation of the soul, it is the power of miracles and protection and provision and deliverance.  It is the means, the voice, the fiber of our very connection to the God of our salvation, and yet, it can be as invisible and absent in a life that claims that salvation as it is indispensable and omnipresent in another.  In fleshing this out, I don't point a finger at others, but at myself.  Knowing prayer as an old friend, I have neglected it.  But in neglecting the means, the conversation, I am also neglecting my Savior, my relationship.  And it results in confusion.  Awkwardness.  Like when you misinterpret a text message statement because it wasn't made face to face, or in this case, on my face.
I read an article yesterday that really sobered me - it was reporting on the active persecution of Christians going on in the world, and noted how these persecuted Christians certainly acknowledge the difficulty and dangers of their circumstances, but chillingly added that they weren't sure they could live in a place where "Christian" was just an arbitrary label that is mistaken for a life without sacrifice or risk.  And I read those words, thinking about my own life, where my own Christian life has only experienced "risk" in the form of peer disapproval, empty politically-correct debate, and selfishly based "fear of man" issues.  While people each day don't just risk their lives by making the decision to follow Christ, they give them up, or they risk the lives of their loved ones, sometimes watching as they are punished for the cause of Christ, the privilege to bear the label "Christ's".
I see this in the striking difference with which I, a privileged American under no threat of persecution, look on an acquaintance - a self-proclaimed convert from Christianity to Atheism - and has since begun a loud evangelism campaign against any kind of Theism, especially Christianity.  I see his Atheism as annoying, self-assuming, grating on my nerves, and obnoxious at times.  But how does the persecuted Christian in North Korea view his atheist "comrades" - those who brutally persecute, as well as those who secretly inform and publicly incriminate - or those who simply have never heard the gospel at all.  I bet the words "annoying" and "obnoxious" aren't the first words to come to their minds.  And while their risk is greater - so much greater than my sore spot at an offensive or rude facebook comment (I know, gag me) - I'd bet they have different words describing these people.  Broken.  Confused.  Blind.  Lost.  But Loved.  
These brothers and sisters of mine would never equate themselves with the sacrifice of our Savior who bore the sins of the world and the wrath of our Father God on the cross, but I bet they understand so much more those words, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."  And, I also bet, that they cling to prayer desperately just as I neglect it carelessly.
To find out more about these brothers and sisters, visit http://www.opendoorsusa.org/

Beautiful Sabbath...

Today was beautiful.  Today, the Trinity and I spoke for a very long time, and I am falling deeper and deeper in love.  Today, He drew me nearer with his Love, his Faithfulness, his Goodness, his Beauty, his Creation, his People, his Path, and his Melody.  I am so thankful, I am so unworthy, and yet, I am HIS!  A prized possession in the presence of the Most High!  May you come to know His love and mercy and grace more fully, too.


Russia... Rostov... Anya... Future... IBA girls... Vlada... Rebekah... Rachel... Lindsay and Brandon... Natalie... Ashley B... Kremi... Mila... Kellie... Ballet Mag... Erin... Jessica... Meghan... Ashley J... Olivia... Mindy... USC Dance... Aimee... Amie... Kelley... Lauren... Emily... Sarah... Lindsey... Kathy... Danielle... Kathryn... April... Becca... Whitney... Betty... Taegen... Moriah... Nathaniel... Mom... Dad... Jillann... Baku... Anna... Hongrui... Steph... Cara... USC Dance Professors... Gennadii... Lena... Jurgen... Laynie...  May you draw them all near(er) to you, Father.

Draw Me Nearer by Meredith Andrews