Thanksgiving & Religious Freedom

“Bow your head. Close your eyes.” Then comes the prayer, right? 

In my family, if my missionary Daddy prayed before a meal, it might be cold by the time we got to it. His heartfelt prayers, often with tears, covered the lost without Christ, missionaries throughout the world, persecuted Christians, those going through hard times, family and friends, strangers he met that week, and yes, the meal, but only after he thanked the Lord first for his beautiful wife who prepared it. 

I’ve come a long way from that fidgety little girl waiting for my Dad to finish praying so I could eat. Now, I‘m the one praying long, passionate prayers. 

After I grew up and got married, God called my husband and me to live out there in those places my father prayed for so passionately. Where churches meet in secret. Where Christians are arrested, beaten, even killed for loving Christ. Where millions live in darkness, never hearing Jesus’ name because there is no one to tell them. Unless you and I go.

Now more than ever, I understand why those first pilgrims fled across the ocean to find religious freedom. 

In fact, we had to teach our own children to pray in public with eyes open, as if in a conversation with us, to avoid danger.

This year, no matter what your plans are for Thanksgiving, take a few moments as a family to thank the Lord for freedom of religion. Let’s also pray for our brothers and sisters throughout the world who do not have that freedom, but face persecution and even death because of their love for Christ. Isaiah 60:1-2.

Lord, we thank You for all that You have done for us, and for the freedom we have to openly worship and follow You. We ask You for Christians all throughout the world who do not have that freedom and are undergoing persecution at this time. Give them strength and courage to endure, forgive, love, and proclaim Your Good News, even in the face of great hardship. Give them wisdom every moment to know what to do, where to go, what to say; and empower them, Lord, to be lights in the darkness, pointing every heart to the glory of Your love. For those who are facing imprisonment and torture, rescue them and their families, please, Lord, by Your merciful hand. Deliver them in such miraculous ways, their persecutors will fall to their knees in worship of the One True God. May Your Kingdom come, Father, here on earth, as it is in Heaven. For those of us throughout the world who are facing each of our own difficulties and hardships, make us bold witnesses. Anoint and empower us to share Your love every moment in ways that will spark deep hunger in the hearts of the lost around us to know the God of Love. For the day has come now, Lord, where You are bringing the nations to our own neighborhoods. Give us courage to reach out and love. Tear down every barrier, and bring the lost to You. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:

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