A Letter To My Persecuted Brothers & Sisters in the Lord

A Letter To My Persecuted Brothers & Sisters in the Lord

http://horizonweekly.ca/news/details/38406

Dearest Brothers & Sisters;
  I need to tell you, that my heart is breaking when I see and hear of the pain, sorrows and deprivation you are facing. Hearing your stories and seeing your faces has stilled my soul. The things I have been facing in life (which are difficult) seem so very insignificant when I see your pain. 

In my greeting, I called you brother and sister; for truly you are. We are united by the Blood of our Saving Lord and King. As the writer of Hebrews shares with a great heart; 

"Remember those who are in prison as if you were their fellow prisoner, and those who are ill-treated, since you also are liable to bodily sufferings." [Heb. 13:3] 

You are suffering, unjustly for sure. Many around me are very angry, which is completely understandable. 

Yet, I hear you say that though it's been hard, "You forgive your persecutors." 
YOU FORGIVE THEM! At this, I just shake my head in great wonder. Somewhere in your walk with Jesus, you graduated to that place of understanding God's Mercy and Grace. In that, you have grasped the entire vision of our Lord Jesus when He said; 

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you... If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you... because they do not know Him who sent Me." [John 15:18-21]

"They do not KNOW WHO SENT ME"...if only the world knew Jesus as we do, He is so patient, loving and kind. He listens to every whimper and touches our bleeding hearts. He whispers in our ears, "Not much longer my sweet child and I will be carrying you home. I am very proud of you...hold on to my promises - I will never leave you, nor forsake you." 

Sweet little girl and boy, who has lost your mommy and daddy; I am so sorry. I wish I could hold you and comfort you. But, I am praying that Jesus holds you so very tight..through the arms of another mommy and or daddy. To my sister and brother who's child was ripped from your arms and permanently taken from you; I am broken hearted for you. I pray for God to up-gird you with His All Powerful Arms, and through this sorrow - God reveal to You; that your baby is singing praises to our Lord. 

During these past couple weeks, as the suffering of the persecuted church of Jesus Christ has only increased, my intense desire is to be there with you. To offer a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on...to pray with and love you. Yet, I am here; in a country so far that allows me to worship my Lord without the risk of being physically harmed. So, I shall pray, I will grasp the 'horns of the alter'  [Exodus 27:2] and cry out to Jesus on your behalf. 

Some of you have made it here to us in the States and I have heard you say that the persecuted church in N. Korea, Arab Countries, Iran, Iraq, China...etc.  are praying for the United States and European Countries. That you have a burden for us, seeing that the church is loosing her first Love (Jesus). You are witnessing in our government that the Christian witness and convictions are being ruled out, as ungodly/immoral life styles are winning over. You have seen here also, that Pastor's are being ridiculed if they preach not only of Christ's Love but also sin and living a righteous life. Also how Christians in their schools, work place, neighborhoods, social network will be cut-down if they speak out about Biblical truths of sin. [Galatians 5:19-20] I hear that you are fasting and praying for America! Yet, you lay it all down to be TRUE WITNESSES of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. [Definition of a witness is a martyr.]

I want to express that you are my earthly heroes and I am humbled by your LIVING SACRIFICE. Of all the trials I have faced, (which have been labeled pretty difficult in the culture I live) they pale next to the fiery trial you have been thrown into. I thank my God for you, thank you for HOLDING TIGHTLY to the faith...setting your face as a flint and not turning back on Jesus. 

I will set out an alarm as loud as I can, to call the church to prayer. Also, knowing your hearts...I will ring another loud alarm to wake up the sleeping church to arise and be what God has intended us to all to be - evangelists; sharing Jesus to all we know and meet. In addition, warning the world that Jesus is coming very soon, and before that, times will continue to become more difficult in every category. 

So, my dear brothers and sisters who have lost most every material thing you have; I join with you in my heart praying for this troubled world. My heart is knitted with you, and I ache for you thus I shall always pray for you.

In The One We all Love the Most -- Jesus Christ, 

Daneille Gray Snowden

https://www.osv.com/Article/TabId/493/ArtMID/13569/ArticleID/15884/Help-persecuted-Christians-and-in-Iraq-and-elsewhere-in-the-Middle-East.aspx

Persecution International: http://www.persecution.org/

Voice of the Martyrs: http://www.persecution.com/

Bible Says About Persecution: http://www.openbible.info/topics/persecution

Write a letter to a Persecuted Christian in prison: http://www.prisoneralert.com/

Letter to American Pastor (Saeed Abedini) in Iranian Prison: http://voiceofthepersecuted.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/write-a-letter-to-pastor-saeed-abedini-imprisoned-in-iran-for-his-faith-in-christ/