Tuesday 16 April 2019

Courage in a Cell

Courage in a Cell
“You have heard that it was said, 
‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies 
and pray for those who persecute you, 
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. 
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,
 and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? 
Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
 And if you greet only your brothers, 
what are you doing more than others? 
Do not even pagans do that?  
                              Matthew 5:43-47

The jailer’s push slams her
against the wall.
For a long moment,
she clings to its cool,
smooth surface.
Then in slow motion, slumps to the floor.
Her head dripping  blood, her arms and body bruised and aching from the beating she took.
For a moment, her jailer pauses, watching, as she lays motionless, assessing the enfeebled
figure for signs of life.  Then seeing her stir, he closes the door, 
causing it to make a cold, empty sound.

She is now alone.
Her face and legs swollen,
every inch of her being in agony.
Too exhausted to move,
she lays where she fell
and softly weeps. 

Though her tears she prays:
“Dear God:
  Protect my children from this evil that has overcome me.
Let me show love toward them that beat me.”
In Jesus’ name
Amen.

Her
     Prayer
                        finished,
                                   Quietly she
                                               Passes into Eternity.
It is said that a believer in Christ Jesus dies for their faith every seven minutes somewhere in the world.
Millions are said to be in what some have called dangerous neighbourhoods. Areas of the world were believing in Christ Jesus could get you killed.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
Sadly the media here in the west, don’t report much about it.
Please pray for those persecuted for their faith.

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