After being with our friends in the Middle East (specifically the Syrians), my heart is flipping like a fish on dry ground. I could see the struggle in their eyes as they faced the tangible, sobering reality of the conflict in their midst. Their ‘normal’ is no longer present. Their security is no longer secure. Their sense of safety is gone. The simple expectation we hold every morning that the day will bring the familiar has vanished from their midst. It’s been replaced by anxiety in the morning, ground trembling insecurity in the afternoon, and grief in the evening. I had this overwhelming urge to grab them all and bring them back to Tulsa!
This scripture is ringing in my ears this morning as I pray; “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-11.
Hope. We hope in HIM. We hope against hope in the presence of HIM whom we believe (Romans 4:18). We hope in this God of ours, who is our Prince of Peace. We hope in the inconceivable kindness of Christ. We hope, because we have seen the eyes of Christ, and have been forever branded. His eyes! His eyes are filled with joyful, confident expectations. His eyes hold the deep purposes of the King of Kings, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. His eyes…. I’m captured once again by the Lover of my soul, by the King who knows all. I’m held by his gaze, getting lost in His immense, solidifying confidence. This is Christ Himself, spilling over with mystifying joy. The same Christ who is within me. My hope of Glory.
Lets pray. In this scripture they were given favor through the prayers of many. We are many…. and our friends in the Middle East need favor. Favor among authorities, favor in the Spirit, favor in supernatural protection and favor among other believers. Favor with the Muslims, favor with the anointing of power so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will charge onward, parting the waters in the center of turmoil.
Will you join in with us, helping our friends through your prayers?