Day 2: 50 Days All In

One of the songs that has held strong for the last 20 years is by John Reuben “I Give You My Heart”. I remember when this was learned at my church it was played almost every service. I even remember one time at a young adult event this was the song for the altar call for at least an hour straight. But what does it really mean to give our hearts to God?

 

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

Matthew 13:44

 

Most Canadians, Americans and many others don’t quite grasp the understanding of giving up anything to follow Jesus. We can choose to follow Jesus and our lives continue unchanged for the most part. I was reminded just recently that this isn’t the case in most parts of the world.

 

Many people in the world are caught up in restrictive religions that come down very hard on those who convert to Christianity. They will take you and throw you out of the house, disown you and even hurt you for your choice to give your heart to Jesus. Therefore, reaching people with the love of Jesus isn’t always easy as because they must be all in as they will face these types of persecution the moment they reveal their choice.

 

If these Christians are willing to give up their families, their customs and lives to give God their whole heart, how come we have a hard time doing the same when we have so much less to lose? Is it because it is so easy for us that we don’t take it as serious an importance?

 

When we sing this song do we truly desire to follow Christ? The man in the parable Jesus told was willing to sell EVERYTHING. Everything to gain the most valuable treasure and remain close to it. He wasn’t concerned what others would think. He wanted it and he would do anything to get it.

 

What are you willing to do to give your whole heart to God? Are you ready to go All in, in your relationship with God starting with all your heart?

Find this song, play it a few times, listen to the words, pray then as the cry of your heart. Go All In.

 

Father, our desire is to give you all our hearts. We want to continually worship you with all we are. I pray that you will connect with your children no matter their situation and as we give ourselves to you, all in, that you will give us the strength to overcome the situations that come our way. For those who lose everything to follow you we pray for wisdom and blessings, give them opportunities to reach their families and friends who have disowned them. Use us to be effective in reaching the lost so they may know you the same way we love you. Amen

Day 50: 50 Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: Colombia

We pray today for the believers in Colombia. Here in this nation we, see a small minority of people hold all the power and are holding the people captive with fear. Just a Jesus had taught a little yeast spreads through the entire dough, we pray that this fear will be removed, for greater is he that is in the believers of Colombia, then those who oppose them.

 

Of the population of 48.3 million, there are about 44.6 million believers. For more information check out Open Doors USA.

 

 

 

 

Father, we pray for Colombia. We pray for an overwhelming confidence in their faith. A desire to stand up for what is right no matter the consequences. We ask for strength to overcome the threats that aim to destroy families if they don’t conform to the rules of the rebels and cartels. Provide each believe the discipline to grow as believers and share their love with those around them. Move mightily in Colombia and change South America and the world through their faithfulness. Amen

Day 49: 50 Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: Bahrain

We pray today for the believers in Bahrain.

 

Of the population of 1.3 million, there are about 189 thousand believers. For more information check out Open Doors USA.

 

 

 

 

Father, we pray for Bahrain, we pray for the safety of those who have chosen to share your love in this nation, as the freedoms to practice religion only goes so far. We pray for open doors and open hearts to receive the message of your love. Move mightily in the believers in Bahrain and use them to change the lives of their families, friends, co-workers and government officials. Wrap your arms of love around those shunned by their families for choosing you and gather your family to support one another. Work miracles in this nation. Amen

Day 48: 50 Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: Oman

We pray today for the believers in Oman. The laws of the ruling government provide a freedom to practice religions but only if they don’t conflict with established customs, public policies or public morals.

 

Of the population of 3.6 million, there are about 236 thousand believers. For more information check out Open Doors USA.

 

 

 

 

Father, we pray for Oman. We pray for the children who become entangled in between their beliefs and faith in God and the pressures they receive from families and schools to conform. We pray for the strength of these children to overcome these obstacles and become powerful witnesses for you. Provide these people with resources to learn more about you, if they don’t have access to bibles I pray that they will become available to them. Move among the people of Oman, rise up a church strong and willing to share your love with their neighbours. Amen

Day 47: 50 Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: Mauritania

We pray today for the believers in Mauritania. This nation is one of the poorest in the world. It can become easy to feel isolated as a believer with so few other believers around.

 

Of the population of under 4 million, there are a few thousand believers. For more information check out Open Doors USA.

 

 

Father, we pray for Mauritania. With so few believers the Christians in this nation can feel alone and will lack the disciplines needed as a follower of Christ. We pray that you will raise up leaders and missionaries in their own country who will be strengthened to share the love of Christ with their fellow countrymen. Work wonders in the reigning government and military, bless them as they do the work needed to be done and soften their hearts to the truth you bring to them. Move mightily among the believers in Mauritania. Amen

Day 46: 50 Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: Indonesia

We pray today for the believers in Indonesia. Many children have found the love of Jesus, but are forced to practice the religion of their parents at home, causing children to hide their new-found faith. Extremists have also been at large in the city, working to destroy places of worship and disruptive believers activities.

 

Of the population of under 250 million, there are an estimated 36 million believers. For more information check out Open Doors USA.

 

 

Father, we pray for Indonesia. We ask that the children will have the strength and gift of faith to be able to tell their families of the hope they have found in you. I pray for a softening of hearts of their family members to listen and receive the truth that will be told to them. Let revival in Indonesia start with the children. Move among the government of the nation and let them see that what is happening to religious minorities is wrong. Protect those who worship you. Send a wave of healing to the nation of Indonesia. Amen

Day 45: 50 Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: Sri Lanka

We pray today for the believers in Sri Lanka. Church services can be expected to be interrupted by mobs of radicals who want their beliefs to be the only thing practices in the country. These are not small mobs, some have been in the thousands.

 

Of the population of under 20.3 million, there are an estimated 1.4 million believers. For more information check out Open Doors USA.

 

 

Father, we pray for Sri Lanka. We pray that those who want to worship you can do so without fear of mob interruptions. We pray for the reigning government that they would put a stop to the radical attacks of minority religions including Christianity.  Move among the leaders of Sri Lanka, soften their hearts to the Gospel and let change start from the top. We pray for peace among the people in Sri Lanka. Holy Spirit work miracles in the hearts of those who persecute the believers here. Amen

 

Day 44: 50 Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: United Arab Emirates

We pray today for the believers in UAE, One of the richest countries in the Middle East, unfortunately, believers are not able to freely talk to others, and are tempted to conform to avoid confrontation.

 

Of the population of under 9.4 million, there are an estimated 44,000 believers. For more information check out Open Doors USA.

 

 

Father, we pray for the United Arab Emirates. We pray for those who convert to follow you, we ask that they are given strength to tell their families in spite of what may happen. Provide opportunities and openness to the gospel from family members, let their response be of love and not bitterness. Grow your church in the UAE, let your light shine through your people. Let the workers from other nations who come for work be safe and those among them who follow you be given the freedom to worship. Do amazing miracles in the UAE. Amen

Day 42: 50 Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: Comoros

 

We pray today for the believers in Comoros. Unlike Mexico yesterday Comoros has a small percentage of its population of believers. The government has made it illegal to be converted to any religion other than the state religion.

Of the population of under 800,000, there are an estimated 3,300 believers. For more information check out Open Doors USA.

Father, we pray for Comoros. We pray for a freedom for believers to have opportunities to openly and freely share their faith. Provide opportunities for them to meet together without fear and ability to distribute bibles to any and all who would want to read them. Move throughout the Island and change lives. Amen

Day 41: 50 Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: Mexico

We pray today for the believers in Mexico. When I saw Mexico on this list, I didn’t know that there was this high level of persecution, then I saw the numbers of believers in the population and even more confused. But reading more about it I see know where the problems are arising. Drug cartels want to keep the people in poverty as it helps keep them in check and Christianity looks to help the poor and bring them out of this poverty. I also see that different denominations are creating issues with each other, not working together as they should be as part of the body.

 

Of the population of 122.3 million, there are an estimated 120 million believers. For more information check out Open Doors USA.

 

Father, we pray for Mexico. If only the 120 million believers would come together as one body of believers throwing their denomination labels aside and relying on their faith in. Holy Spirit work in the believers to stop fighting among themselves and then we would see amazing things happening in Mexico. We pray with the Mexican people that the drug cartel which is dominating everything in the country will be displaces and run out. Le the people live in freedom. Use your people to love and minister to these hurting men and woman who are destroying lives. Give them boldness and strength to be a light in the darkness. God move in amazing ways in Mexico. Amen.