12 Weeks of Prayer Week 2 Day 4
WHO IS THE CHURCH?
By Justin N. Citro
Vice President of Thread of Hope, Inc.
In order to understand why we need to pray for the Church, we must first begin to understand who the church is. The Church is made up of ordinary people like you and me who are called by the Lord Jesus Christ to go out to all the nations and preach the salvation message that God the Father has given us. The Church is the apple of the Lord's eye and the Lord's anger burns when somebody or some people try to attack it. In order to understand why people want to attack the church, we first need to understand the history of the Church and how it came into existence. The Church's history began in the book of Acts (2:42-47), and during this time, they began to expand and continuously added to the population of believers until the church reached where it is today. However, the church has been no stranger to persecution for throughout the entire history of the Church, it has been and continued to be a target for attack. Now let's dive into the topic of Church persecution. The Church, in the last days, will be subjected to severe persecution (Revelation 2:10). The reason for this persecution is for a very simple reason and that reason is that we are Christians. Let me clarify the reason why we (the Church) are subject to persecution and it is because we stand for Christ and his teachings, for what teachings can man give us that does not lead us into darkness? The Lord's Church will always be protected and the Lord's kingdom will still go forward until His return!
Let's see what the bible says about the Lord's Church. The Bible says in the book of Ephesians 2: 20-21(KJV), "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord." These two verses explain the simple message that we are the Church, and we are built on the foundation that is Christ, and since we are on the Rock that is Christ, who can move us or shake us? My Brothers and Sisters, no one can destroy the church of Christ, but be continuous in prayer and keep your faith strong! The hope I leave with you today is: do not be shaken when the Church is under attack for we are standing on the Rock, and that rock is the Lord Jesus Christ! Dear Heavenly Father, I come before You to thank You that You are my Rock. Thank You for protecting Your Church, and, Father, I continue praying for the protection for your Church. In Jesus' Name, Amen!
Praise & Worship: I go to The Rock of My Salvation - YouTube
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