An international year of prayer for
Morocco
| Week 41 |
PersecutionThe table is set for dinner, but no place is set for Amos. Since he confessed his faith in Christ, Amos’ father will not allow him to eat with the family. Amos works hard at his job, and pays for many things his family needs. When his father asks, "Where did this come from ?" his mother quietly mentions that Amos bought it for them. While she does not agree with her son’s new faith, she sees he tries hard to honor his parents and to care for his younger siblings.Another local believer was recently turned away from her favorite aunt's home. She was told they are Muslims, not Christians, and that she’s no longer welcome. A new believer now lives on the street because his father beat him and threw him out. Yet another believer was kicked out of her home in the middle of the night after professing Christ before her family. Morocco is often listed as one of the top ten worst offending nations with regard to governmental persecution of its Christians. Yet some of the most intense persecution comes not from police but from family members. Family is also where faith in Christ is most likely to spread. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.’ Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:32-39
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