A Call to Prayer

By: Gabriela Yareliz

At first, I had prepared this as a piece to a post I was going to have go live earlier, but this merits its own post and many more.

We encourage all who read to join the global body of Christ in prayer for Kevin Rideout, U.S. missionary abducted last week in Niger. We also join the church in prayer for all Christians around the world who are facing persecution, martyrdom and hardship.

We often highlight these circumstances in isolation, but this is an ongoing global crisis. Together, we pray.

May God’s hand move mightily on their behalf, and no matter what they face, may they feel God’s deep love and presence in the darkness. May the love and light they represent echo and shine throughout the globe, piercing all darkness, silence and hopelessness. May their faith be unforgettable and stay with those who do evil against them.

And the rest of us, who read and write from comfort— may we also pray for discernment and strength of faith to meet our coming moment with resilience and unwavering resolve.

Whether we are walking through a Manhattan subway station or through a jungle on the other side of the world— the Holy Spirit within us is the same. May we ask for a double measure of Him in us.

May this be an everyday prayer, in the same way we pray for our families. May we never forget all the ties that bind.

1 Blest be the tie that binds 
our hearts in Christian love; 
the fellowship of kindred minds 
is like to that above. 

2 Before our Father’s throne 
we pour our ardent prayers; 
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, 
our comforts and our cares. 

3 We share our mutual woes, 
our mutual burdens bear, 
and often for each other flows 
the sympathizing tear. 

4 When we are called to part, 
it gives us inward pain; 
but we shall still be joined in heart, 
and hope to meet again. 

5 This glorious hope revives 
our courage by the way; 
while each in expectation lives 
and waits to see the day. 

6 From sorrow, toil, and pain, 
and sin, we shall be free; 
and perfect love and friendship reign 
through all eternity.

(John Fawcett 1782)