What we do for Jesus is never a waste. He is always with us. He sees what others don't. He knows how you are treated. He sees your suffering. He sees the love you pour out to those around you. Please don't lose heart.
As I sat on my crazy couch this morning (it is one of those chaise lounges. My husband bought it for $8 at the local thrift store...I love it..) and I thought of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. They are part of our family. We are all one in Christ. We are the Body of Christ.
Check out The Voice of the Martyrs website: http://www.persecution.com/. There you can find real-time stories of Believers who need prayer. You can give if you feel led. We need to lift them up. Here is a story from the website of a pastor and his wife who need prayer in Iran:
Pastor Vahik Abrahamian and his wife Sonia Keshish-Avanesian were with their friends, Arash Kermanjani, and his wife, Arezo Teymouri, when all four friends were detained on September 4, 2010.
The two couples were arrested at the Abrahamians' home in Hamadan, west Iran, and taken to the Ministry of Islamic Guidance prison.
For the first 40 days, they were held in solitary confinement and reportedly suffered physical abuse and psychological pressure.
The four have been accused of various offenses, including propagating Christianity, opposing the Islamic Republic of Iran, and having contact with exiled opposition figures. They have not yet been charged.
Over six months have passed since the two men and two women were arrested. They are under pressure and intense interrogation, according to Mohabat News. They were transferred from Hamadan prison to Iran’s notorious Evin prison in Tehran.
Their families are concerned for their health, but have not been able to find news of their loved ones. They are also worried about the children of the believers.
Pastor Vahik was arrested once before, on Feb. 20, 2010, on charges of conducting activities among Muslims. He spent two months in prison before being released on bail. Pastor Vahik has dual citizenship in Iran and the Netherlands, but because of his passion for the Iranian people, he chose to live in Iran.
Source: Mohabat News
Vahik Still in Prison
When Vahik's wife, Sonia, was released from prison a few weeks ago, officials told her they would release her husband 10 days later. Unfortunately, that has not happened yet, and her husband remains in prison.
Please pray for Pastor Vahik to be released.
Our prayers are powerful. If you are not in conversation with someone, reading, if your mind is free from conversation at this moment, pray. Pray is never a waste of time.
Billy Graham was asked what he would do differently if he had his whole life to do over again. He said he'd pray more. He has wisdom from a long life and from a world-wide ministry that touched thousands upon thousands of people.
http://www.be-a-voice.net/qry/bv_home.taf
The above link gives each of us an opportunity to encourage our brothers and sisters. Please check it out. Thank you for your service to the LORD. Love Him. He loves you so much. One more verse for you:
And let us not lose haert in doing good; for in due time we shall readp if we do not grow weary. Galatians 5:9