Lesson in Peace

Last night at the Grove we hosted Beatrice Mambula and her parents, Mosa and Sarah, to talk about what is happening to the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN). Currently they are undergoing persecution at the hands of radical fundamentalist Muslims. They shared a number of stories about the persecution. In 2009 several EYN churches were destroyed in fires. They shared that there is again renewed violence against Christian churches, the government and even schools now. Today Christians going to church on Sunday mornings must be patted down and searched before entering the church by armed soldiers. Women are not allowed to carry purses because it is feared they are carrying bombs. They don't even park in their church parking lot anymore. Instead they park in protected parking lots and walk to church. The president of Nigeria has acknowledged that part of this radical sect has infiltrated different sectors of the government agencies and are funded by powerful politicians, banks and outside organizations. The group has set out to destroy Christian churches bearing the cross, the government, Western education and even moderate Muslims who are sympathetic to the persecution of the Christians.

Despite the stories of persecution there were also stories of hope shared. Back in the 80's when the church first went through persecution and 107 churches were burned the church leaders decided to rebuild. As they collected money to rebuild their churches they decided before they rebuilt their churches to rebuild 3 mosques that had been burned by other Christians. The Muslims didn't know how to respond to this. Many were puzzled by this response. Several of these Muslims became Christians and are now involved in missions to Muslim areas. The Mambula's also shared that Christians and Muslims are beginning to work together to overcome this hatred of a a radical sect. Christians go to the Muslim mosques on Friday to protect the Muslims during their time of prayers. Muslims in turn come and protect Christian churches on Sunday mornings. They are working together.

I've talked about pacifism and non-violence before. But it's a lot easier to say when there's nothing that threatens my life. To hear how the EYN is pursuing peace in the midst of persecution is a testimony to their faith and love of Jesus Christ. When you ask if they want to fight and defend themselves, they say, "We're humans. We want to fight back. But we love Jesus and this love will not allow us to fight." Instead they realize as Paul writes in Philippians 1, "To live is Christ, and to die is gain." They look forward with expectation to be a part of Christ's kingdom with final peace.

I was very blessed by their presence and to see their faith, hope and love. They continue to work at loving their enemies and turning the other cheek.

No National Day of Prayer?

Over the last few days I've seen this story in quite a few online formats. Apparently there's rumor that National Day of Prayer was going to be cancelled by the President. I check around at snopes.com, which is an online rumor fact checking website. As it turns out no such plan exists, yet the rumor persists. But this isn't really my concern. Rumor get spread all of the time unfortunately. My concern is the outrage.

What's so special about the National Day of Prayer that so many people would be outraged? I think those that are concerned about this are so out of a deep and heartfelt concern about our nation, the world and for people following Christ. But I think that this day in many ways represents that Christians in America like their faith to be simple and above all easy. Hopefully we as Christians aren't waiting for this one day a year to pray. Prayer is something we are called to do without ceasing.

I met a woman this week who does not hope for a National Day of Prayer. She is from Nigeria where Christians are facing intense persecution. Her church's meeting place was destroyed. Her fellow Christians in Nigeria have been put to the sword in the last 2 years. Somehow I don't think a National Day of Prayer is on the agenda for Nigeria, and yet her faith and that of other Christians in Nigeria is amazing. They are killed for their faith. Christianity in Nigeria is not easy.

In the story of Daniel in the Bible he not only has his Day of Prayer taken away, a new type of National Day(s) of Prayer is instituted. Now he is only allowed to pray to the king. And yet Daniel goes to his room and prays to God as he has always done. What does he get for doing this? The Lions' Den.

And still we are concerned about our National Day of Prayer. What if one day it's not a rumor? What if our day of prayer is taken away? And even more, what if Christianity itself becomes illegal in the United States? What will we do then? Will we falter? Will we say, "It's just too hard to follow Christ now"? Or will we be firm in our faith knowing that the pain and loss here is only momentary but what is coming will last forever?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, "Suffering, then, is the badge of true discipleship. The disciple is not about his master." So check the facts, but also know that if some day our Day of Prayer is taken, we will continue to pray, and to follow Christ even if it's not easy.