Life Group and Persecution
Recently, while traveling, I heard from believers in a country where there is deep suspicion about Christians. In the last year, a group of Christian men were arrested while meeting as a small group for prayer on the suspicion that they were coercing one of the men into accepting Christianity. A law intended to guard against extortion and fraud is used to discourage Christian gatherings and evangelism. The charges were vague and groundless, but members of the group spent several months in prison before they were acquitted.
When I heard that story, I had to ask myself: If something similar happened among our communities, would I be more or less likely to make life group and community group meetings a priority next week? Would I respond as the believers in Rome did to Paul’s imprisonment:
“most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Phil 1:14).
So how are we doing? Are we bold to speak the word with consistency within our own small groups? Are we devoting ourselves “to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers?” (Acts 2:42)
Dear friends, believers around the world prize their gathering together for prayer and fellowship even and especially in the face of opposition. Are we putting our best efforts toward what we believe is of eternal importance: studying the Bible and praying together?
And this reminds us of our need to confess our sins…
Prayer of Confession
Sovereign Lord, we confess that although we have heard the words of eternal life, we don’t make as much of them as we ought. We confess our lack of faith in the value of corporate prayer and Bible study. We have great desires for good, but we allow other priorities to push out time with fellow believers, and time together in your word. We ask for your forgiveness, and we also ask for your help. We ask for wisdom and skill in approaching the Bible together and individually, for knowing how and what to pray. These are not simple things, and we confess that we lack the patience for growing in our fellowship with you.
We confess, then, these and other sins, and ask that you lead us in a time of silent confession…